10-52-2011 Trio

Trio was the subject matter for this weeks 52 challenge, and my immediate thought was the dogs.  But to get all three of them looking at me at the same time would take far more expertise in Photoshop than I have.  Either that or a ladder and their brimming food bowls!!! 

Instead I give you my latest knitting project which involves using knitting three threads on very fat needles.



It has been a success and I am very pleased with how it's turned out.  There is such a combination of wools,  thicknesses, textures and colours.  It's very soft and easily big enough for snuggling up under on the sofa on those evenings it's not quite cold enough to light the fire.

Another in progress picture





And a couple of finished shots to end








It is such a success that it has been bagsied by Girlie #1 and Girlie #2 has requested one in shades of reds, browns, oranges and yellows.

Oh Yes

Whilst the girlies were last at their Dad's, I decided it would be an oportune moment to "declutter" the playroom.  As it's not actually a room as such, more of a large corridoor leading to the patio and my bedroom, I was seriously taking my life into my hands, everytime I went in or out of my room.  Lord knows what would have happened if their was a powercut in the middle of the night!!!

Before


And after




I've managed to free up two and a half shelves, so that means that all the boxed games that are in the cupboards under their beds can now go on these empty shelves, freeing up space for their ever growing wardrobes and makeup/jewellry collection.  Hoping that we'll soon be able to get rid of a lot more of these toys, and I'll be able to turn this space into a crafty/office type room.  Anyone know at what age this can be done please?

9.52.2011 - Finish every day and be done with it...

As the girlies where staying with their Dad, I was able to have a midweek evening down at Guardamar beach and port with one of my spanish fotografer friends.  It was most pleasant and a welcome break, a stroll, a beer and a sunset - even better as I didn't have to drive.

This is my choice for finish, I was thinking of where reality finishes and reflection begins, but as it was laet in the evening as the sun was going down, I used the first line of a Ralph Waldo Emerson Poem

 

Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities
no doubt have crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely
and with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with
your old nonsense.

This day is all that is
good and fair.
It is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on yesterdays.

 Here are a couple more pictures taken that evening

08-52-2011 - Chaos - The Butterfly Effect

 As I mentioned last week, this week was Chaos.  Coming hard on the heels of Clutter, I had all sorts of messes in mind, but wasn't very happy.  So, yes, I googled it which led me to the Butterfly effect.


So, was it the flapping wings of one small butterfly, that caused the global warming we are now suffering...




  

My original thought was to photograph a jewellry box I have, that looks a bit like a treasure chest.  But that meant faffing around with backgrounds etc and I really couldn't be arsed. As it was an interesting sky outside I opted for that and my hand.  Really I should've gone to the other side of the house and I wouldn't have had the over exposure on the right hand side, but I didn't think of that until it was done.  Lots of people have said that this is one of my best photos of the 52, but I'm very meh about it.  The butterflies are too black, I should've either made them a very dark grey colour, or reduced the opacity of that layer and the original hand picture is completely nothing as well.  So it just goes to show we can't all be the same or like the same things.

07-52-2011 Delicate

Delicate was this week's pick and so, it's the old almond blossom trick again ;-). I was lucky to find this branch with just sky behind it and one of last years almonds still on the branch. I wanted to include the almond to denote the hardness that comes from the delicate and also as a contrast. Also have been titting about in photoshop, as I've not played with it for ages!

 

I'm quite pleased with how it's turned out to be honest.  Next weeks theme is Chaos.  Typically the girlies are at their daddy's and I've been having a massive de-cluttering session of late.  Quite what the difference between chaos and clutter is, I'm not too sure.  Might just have to consult Don Google to see if it can help me out any.

06-52-2011 Clutter

So with the subject of Clutter for this weeks 52 shot, you would've thought I'd have found it easy - lets face it domestic goddess I am not.  But quite how you actually style, or even make look attractive a pile of shoes at the back door or about 4 months worth of unopened post is way beyond me.  

So, I went for a cluttered background.  Cheating I know, but I just love the almond blossom and it's not here for very long

Medieval Market - Part 2

So after drooling over the birds of prey we walked down through the market to it's very end.  This resulted in a few purchases needing to be made at various stalls and a quick stop for lunch and a well deserved beer for me. 

After lunch we came across a display of torturous medieval punishment devices.  They certainly seem to have been a barbaric and blood thirsty lot in these times.  Here are two examples of a Scold's Bridle

Now, why the first one has "ears" on it I'm not too sure.  Perhaps this was worn by a gossip, passing on tales that she had heard second hand, who knows.  But it certainly looks more comfortable than the second one that has a plate of metal right in front of the face.  Now, although I can think of a few people who deserve to wear these, I am quite pleased that the  crime of nagging or gossiping is treated a little more leniently these days.

Amongst these old fashioned gimp masks, handcuffs, cats of nine tails and stocks, I also spotted this chastity belt.  It would be a brave man indeed who decided to infiltrate those jaws



Now, as I said earlier in Part One, there didn't seem to be as much street theatre about as normal.  Perhaps it was just a case of us being in the wrong place at the wrong time though.  I leave you with a few portraits of the musicians we did see (los Gambuzinos) and some of the other faces around and about


















And finally I leave you with this sign, which made me titter a little - transaltion For the purchase of 5 large cones regardles of your SEX take FREE five small ones.