30 Day PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE and Photo Fun- June 12

I appreciate I'm a couple of days behind in bringing you the photos for the challenges. The photos were duly taken on the correct days but I just haven't had the time to upload them, edit them and then create the posts........

On the upside though, the reason I haven't had the time is because our new kitchen is nearly finished - the cupboards and work surfaces are all in place, the plumbers have connected the dish washer and sink, the electrician is, whilst I write, connecting the electrics and tomorrow morning the gas will be connected! I feel as though I have spent the last week up to my elbows in bleach and we have made more trips to the tip than the rest of the village put together. There is something very cathartic about clearing stuff out!

Anyway, back to the topic in hand. Sunsets and sun flare. I combined the two topics this time to create a mini series of photos showing the sunset on June 12 from our garden. You can see the sun flare (the coloured spots where the sun flare on the lens) in all of the photos.

Seven things Blue

The 30 Day Photography Challenge topic today was to photograph something blue. Some topics have been fairly straightforward, others downright challenging but for this one I couldn't pick just one photo so here are seven of the best.

My little boy blue

Lavender's blue

Blue jeans

Ballet in blue

Me-Made Blue dress

Brother and sister in blue

Blue sky

30 Day PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE and Photo Fun- June 10

The first theme on day 10 of the photo challenges was 'Childhood Memory'. Taking a slightly different approach I decided to snap a few things that I hope will make up the childhood memories of the little people.

Firstly, spending time with and working with Daddy in the garden.

Secondly, free and uninhibited play.

And, finally, special outings (we took the girls to see a selection of modern ballets last night) (not forgetting - special presents from Popsie - spot the dresses!)

The second theme of the day was 'Animal'. I also took a slightly different approach to this theme but mainly, this time, because I don't do animals. Four legs? Not to be trusted and definitely not to be approached so there was little chance of me photographing something live and real. Step up little boy's new best friend - Dolphin. Perfect.

30 Day PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE and Photo Fun- June 9

 The first photo today was to be of someone I love. I chose the path of least resistance and photographed little boy. He is in a phase where he loves to be photographed so is more than happy to spend time letting me take lots of shots to try and get a good one. He also has lots of ideas as to what would make a good photo - like including his dolphin in the frame.

Little boy and his dolphin

Secondly I had to photograph fresh fruit (again). Not much to say here. I mean an apple is an apple isn't it?

An apple

30 Day PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE and Photo Fun- June 8

First up today was a photo of a bad habit.

"Hmmm, this is going to be difficult" I said to my Mr Darcy over breakfast, "I mean, I'm sure that I maybe have one or two slightly annoying habits but I can't really think of any bad ones".

Once he had finished choking on his Frosties he assured me I'd think of something. So supportive, that's what I think I like best about him!

Fast foward 13 hours, as I was waiting for the sun to go down (see below), inspiration struck as I hit the bottom of the family size pack of Dime bars....

Hours spent on Pinterest, eating chocolate - is that really a bad habit?

For the Photo Fun challenge today's theme was the sunset. When I opened the shutters to torrential rain and thick surrounding cloud this morning I thought that this too would be something of a challenge today but luckily the weather cleared this afternoon and although it was in no way a spectacular sunset I could at least see when the sun went down.

Sunset June 8 2011

Finally, just to show that we do sometimes get more impressive sunsets - here is one I photographed earlier (in fact, last Autumn).

Sunset, Autumn 2010

30 Day PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE and Photo Fun- June 6

We had more electric storms yesterday which meant that we lost internet connection from about 5pm - hence no posting yesterday - but here are yesterday's photos for the June challenges.

Photo from a low angle

The good thing about loosing the internet is that I got two of the Sobretto tops I had started the other day finished and a summer dress. I will do a separate post boring you with more details of the tops and dress but for now here is a sneak view (from a low angle!).

Two Sobrettos and a dress

from a lower angle...

and from the lowest angle!

For the Photo Fun challenge the theme was books. As I spent a good part of yesterday sewing I snapped first my sewing books.

But then I got on a roll so I snapped

the pile of books in the sitting room waiting to be put away once the never-ending building work is done

the shelf of cookery books that I haven't been able to use for the last two and a half months as the builders destroyed our kitchen

the niche of little boy's books 

and, finally, the books that I would like to read this summer.

30 Day PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE - June 5

A photo from a high angle

The photography challenge today was to take a photo from a high angle (tomorrow it is from a low angle). I have to admit that I took various photos before I got one that I was more or less happy with. The aim was obviously to challenge people to think about changing their angle when taking photos to try and get something different or more interesting. My biggest problem was that I had an idea in my head of what I wanted but it proved somewhat difficult to get that picture myself. This is therefore a variation on the theme - my view when I look down!

A baby bump

30 Day PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE - June 4

Something green......

Something green

30 Day PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE - June 3

As you will know if you have already seen my last post today's photo is to be of clouds. When I originally signed up for this challenge we had searing hot temperatures and bright blue skies and sunshine with barely a cloud to be seen. Hmmm, I thought, I might have to be creative.

Never fear. Not a ray of sun to be seen today and plenty of clouds!

View from my bedroom this morning

I would have taken the photo when I first got up but the whole valley was filled with cloud which was impressive, but only really if you already knew that there were mountains behind!

Tomorrow I shall be photographing something green..........if you would like to see some of the other pictures uploaded to the flikr album have a look here.