August Break 2014

... and HERE I AM! When I posted in November last year about my intention to blog again I imagined it would be sooner than August. Enough of that though, I'm here now. 

I am participating in a fun challenge during August. Started by Susannah Conway, many people all over the world are joining in and also getting fabulously inspiring emails. Here are the prompts - the idea being to take a photograph each day in August. 

It's a gentle challenge with no real rules. As Susannah writes, "You can use any camera. You could shoot every day or every other day or just on weekends. You can share your photos or just enjoy taking them without sharing. You can start and not finish. You can join in at the end." 

Originally I planned to post every day over on my other blog Pausing to pick up small stones but well, that hasn't worked out and I think this is actually a better place. I can write a bit more and post a few at a time if I want. 

I'm posting the photos I take (which hasn't been every day but in line with the essence of the challenge that hasn't stopped me from continuing) on instagram. If you'd like to see them there my username is lionswish. I have made up a little rule of my own in that I am using Hipstamatic for all of my photo taking. I'm still obsessed with that app! 

Here are the three photos I have taken so far - 

03 WINDOW
Lens: Burke
Film: DTypePlate

05 THREE
Lens: Chunky
Film: KodotXGrizzled

06 REFLECTION
Lens: Tinto1884
Film: DreamCanvas

and my intention is to be back with more photos before the end of August!

Intention

Intending to blog again soon. Watch this space!

Shadow Shot Sunday - August 12th, 2012

Took a short break from the housework to capture the light and shadows playing on the cupboards. 

Shadow Shot Sunday - August 5th, 2012

Shadows on the fence today for Shadow Shot Sunday. 

Shadow Shot Sunday - July 22nd, 2012

Shadows on the laundry wall.

Shadow Shot Sunday - May 27th, 2012

Curtain shadows on the washing machine

and plant shadows on the wall 

Shadow Shot Sunday - May 13th, 2012

Not a lot of shadows around this morning. Those that do appear don't stay for long. I did manage to capture these - 

To see others' contributions to Shadow Shot Sunday, visit www.shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.com.au 

A to Z challenge 2012: Z is for Zoo

The final post in the April A to Z blogging challenge. I've really enjoyed it this year and my theme of "sharing books with children" has turned out to be a lot of fun and a great learning experience.

Z is for Zoo. 

"What kind of pet would you like from the zoo? An elephant, a lion, a snake, or something smaller? Lift the flaps and see what has been sent - it's bound to be a surprise!" 

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell is the first lift-the-flap book I have included in this April challenge. Lift-the-flap books are great for encouraging children to look after books. On the first sharing, children love to try and guess what animals are hiding behind the flaps. For repeated readings, they enjoy calling out the animals before they are revealed. A great test of memory! One way I have really enjoyed sharing books such as this one is to help with taking turns. With a small group, children need to wait patiently for their turn, which can be a challenge at times! 

I found a great, simple activity based on this book. Children can make their own lift-the-flap surprise postcard. Instructions here. Or if you have more time, why not make a lift-the-flap book of your own. Children can draw their own pictures or for outlines based on the book go here.  

Shadow Shot Sunday - April 29th, 2012

Waiting, waiting, waiting for shadows today. 

While hanging out the washing this morning I was thinking that Shadow Shot Sunday was going to be easy today. There were so many great shadows. I went inside to grab the camera. By the time I got back they were all gone. After quite a wait the sun reappeared and I was pleased to capture these two. 

Other people's contributions to Shadow Shot Sunday can be found at  www.shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.com. Definitely worth a visit!  

A to Z challenge 2012: Y is for Yertle

It's getting close to the end of the challenge! I've really enjoyed it this year and my theme of "sharing books with children" has turned out to be a lot of fun and a great learning experience. I have been reflecting on my favourite children's books, how I have enjoyed sharing books in the past and how I will continue to share books in the future. I have  learnt a lot along the way, remembered many of my favourite books and explored new ideas for sharing books. I have enjoyed all of the comments and sharing an enjoyment of picture books. I have 'met' lots of great bloggers and visited many interesting blogs. I'm really glad I decided to participate in the challenge again this year. 

Y is for Yertle. 

Yet another Dr. Suess book as the feature of one of my A to Z post. I'm starting to think that next year I may just concentrate on Dr. Suess books and characters. Yertle was one of my favourite characters as a child and I enjoyed sharing this story with my eldest daughter when she was little. In this book, Yertle the Turtle and other stories by Dr. Suess, the story of Yertle who lets power go to his head until he is toppled by Mack, a plain little turtle who has had enough can be enjoyed along with the stories of Gertrude McFuzz and The Big Brag.