Studio Painting

I finally started (and have now finished) repainting my studio over this long weekend! The walls have been transformed from a pale yellow/biege (see what it used to look like here) to a very light grey, which I think looks great. I still have to  put up some of my prints and the space will be getting close to where I would like it. Now i just have to clean up the rest off the house and I can relax...

Food Photos

I've been into cooking and taking photos of my cooking lately - maybe this is turning into a food blog! I think it's to do with my new lens and also the love soft winter light that I get on Sunday mornings. I made some ultra - nommy wholegrain pancakes with strawberry sauce today - it was so awesome. I think i'll have to post the recipe at some point as I think that more people must experience the awesomeness! I also made a beef and pear tagine last weekend which was very yummy too - the recipe is here.

Anyway, here are a couple of photos that I have taken over the last two weekends that I thought I would share. I am really enjoying my camera, so if there is anything you would fancy seeing up close, let me know!

New Macro Lens

You may have noticed if you've been having a look at my shop that i've been updating and improving my product shots over the last month or so. I've started supplementing my darker backgrounds with lighter, airier backgrounds which I think have really made the shop look great! 

Also, I invested in a new macro lens, Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED from Camera's Direct here in Aus. OMG is this lens lovely - awesome crisp and gorgeous close ups! I have been wanting one of these for a while to improve my close up product shots (had to save up!). Below are the results from this afternoon's shoot with some of my succulents in the backyard to test out the lens. 

Sunday Morning Cookin'

I have been wanting to bake bread rolls for a couple of weeks and this weekend, I finally got around to it! I followed the recipe on that came with my breadmaker, but I used fine pasta/pizza flour instead of normal plain flour. The final product was well worth it, gorgeous soft, light, warm bread!  Now I think I need to cook some yummy soup to go with them - maybe cauliflower and potato? 

 

I have started to photograph and list a few new items in these past couple of weeks and an quite excited about the quality of the photos that I am putting up. I have discovered the best lighting for my pieces - mid - late afternoon with overcast skies. Lovely diffuse light that brings out the best in my gems. I've started to redo some of my items photos and I am actually hoping that it stays overcast this weekend so I can get some good shots!

Also, I have purchased a soldering kit and am very excited for it to arrive in my mailbox so I can start on the next phase of my designs. I have big ideas for statement necklaces and earrings that I can't wait to start working on - not least of which is designing and crafting my bridal jewellery (so many ideas for that - I can't even decide on the gems to use yet!!).

Apologies again for the lack of posts over the past few months. I have been ultra busy planning my engagement party and at my day job. I am feeling rather sad that theori has been neglected and am planning on crafting new pieces in the next few weeks (stay tuned for some gorgeous bridal designs i've been working on). 

I thought I would give you a look in on the party that took up alot of my time over hte past 3 or so months - the engagement party! It was held on on the 10th March in my Dad and Stepmum's backyard and pool area. The day proved to be a scorcher - 38 degrees celcius was forecasted! Fortunately the pool was there to cool off in and there was plenty of food, beer and wine to keep the guests occupied. We also had backyard cricket, bocce and other grass games set up which were very entertaining to watch. 

At dinner time, everyone moved around to the backyard for food and to chill out on the handmade picnic blankets! I was most proud of the decorations on the day that were mostly made by me.

It was a lovely day/evening and we can't wait for the wedding to roll around! :)