my one little word for 2014

I've been thinking about my one little word for 2014. After lots of consideration to what it relevant to me I've settled on the word.............    'no'

To say no is actually a positive thing for me.

That's its ok to say no and not feel guilty.

To not feel so overwhelmed like I did during part of this year because I didn't have the courage to say no. I was so busy that I let a lot of little things slide by the wayside as I simply didn't have the time to focus on them. I felt like I greyed out for awhile so I could keep functioning.

So with a deep breathe of courage I aim to say 'no' on the occasion.

And that's a good thing.

:D

kids suprise day

On that stinky hot Thursday last week I took the kids away for a surprise day. Sean had a medical appointment in Adelaide that I knew of well in advance, so I was able to book on sale flight tickets. On impulse I booked Annie a flight as well.

Plan A was to have the day in Adelaide with Paige, but the tragic death of her brother very recently changed that plan. 

The kids had no idea that I had even planned a day away with them. It was a total suprise for them. They were woken up a bit earlier than normal, told to get dressed, and carry a back pack. That last gave the game away that something was up. Thats when the excitment level went up a cog.

So off we went. I mentioned to them that we were heading up to Lock when were actually heading in the opposite direction. It wasnt until we came over the hill from White Flat did they twig our day out might have something to do with a flight somewhere.

As I had checked in online and we had no luggage we were able to waltz straight thru into the terminal.  Still the kids didn't know where or what we were up to. I was really enjoying the fun of dragging out the suprise that little bit longer. 

When we landed in Adelaide, instead of walking around the way we normally do to enter the terminal after deplaning, we went straight in a door at the front of the terminal and up the depature ramp. Why that isn't done all the time I don't know. It was starting to warm up significantly by 10am so I was glad to have quick access to inside the terminal.

We caught a taxi straight to Sean's medical appointment to sit inside and enjoy the aircon. We were about 45 mins early but fortunately for us, they slipped us straight in. He's results were so encouraging. From 25 to 50% improvement in that frequency range is significant improvement. Our twice daily commitment is paying off.

From the medical appointment I called a taxi to meet us on a corner so we were on the correct side of the road to go to our next place. Thank goodness for shade as it was very warm. We waited and waited and waited. And all taxis that were going past were full. Lucky for us after about 25 minutes a taxi pulled over to let a lady out right in front of us so we were able to grab that one round to North Terrace.

I was laughing along with the driver as we were talking 'in code' so as to not give the game away. Luckily enough he figured out what I meant by David Jones and 3rd floor. 

As it was so bloody hot there really wasn't a lot of people out and about and for that I am thankful as I don't do crowds very well at all. We grabbed a spot of lunch and made our way up the escalators. You can really tell the country kids who get a kick out of going up and down escalators. :)

And then we arrived

The new system of the virtual lineup to see Father Christmas works a treat. You register yourself at the desk and when there's about 15 minutes before its your turn you get a text to return back to the cave and line up. Saves waiting with the kids in a line for ages. Especially those with difficult children or with special needs. 

I wasn't able to use my camera during the Father Christmas bit but could I use it otherwise everywhere else. The cave is a lot smaller than I remember. I guess I'm just a lot taller than I was then, and it was no where near as crowded as I remembered from when I was little.

From the cave we took a walk in the Mall to Typo, Smiggles and to Photographic Wholesalers, which has moved in with Diamonds on Rundall Street. Then taxied back to the airport to relax in the aircon before our flight back home.

The joy on the kids faces was so worth the flights and my braving the (as it turned out not so crowded) crowds. 

shmee (sneak peek)

My last magazine photography/scrapbooking commitment done and dusted for next year, unless something else comes up (wink wink)

I found this last LO the hardest to get started and pull together compared to the others. I've changed my style and not used water colours or mists. Its clean, simple and linear. And its about me. Nearly all the LO's I do are about the kids, and on the occasion the DH.

Not often I let go of inhibitions and get in front of the camera. Sean wants the camera in his hands more and more often and I love that!!! So nowadays after I've photographed the kids, one of them, usually Sean, photographs me. And I'm getting better at being in front of the lens.

mucking about with christmas lights.

Thank you Sandra for posting the idea on my wall. mwah.

ryan

r.i.p. Ryan.
you will live long in my heart.
x

runaways.... sneak peek

I can't reveal this one just yet as its for a magazine brief, but here's a bit of a sneaky...

The whole LO revolved around the lace bow

i solemnly swear that I am up to no good

I soon as I saw this silhouette cut file, I knew I had the perfect photo for it. Lots of water colouring, masking, heat embossing, a few bits and pieces of embellies and a scattering of sequins tops it off. And a little bit of wise wisdom to remember.

oz travels

Back in 2010 when he was 87 years young, Grumpa (term of affection) took himself in his campervan for an epic solo trip for months to places around Australia.

He's had the wanderlust in his blood since his 60's when he retired. This year he's turned 90 and he's not yet planning on slowing down. Bless him.

h2o (teaser)

Lately I've been busy writing articles for a magazine and scrapping layouts to support those articles.

I can show a teaser photo but not much more than that. All will be revealed early new year.

:D

wheat

It pays to slow down, look around, cast your eyes above and below. Enjoy the little things in life. Smell the roses. Go down a road less traveled. Spend some time on yourself. And be thankful for all you have in your life.

slippery when wet

This layout is what scrapbooking is really about. Its memory keeping. There's a lot of journaling on this layout to keep the memory alive, and precious little embellishing. I've repurposed the police tape the was saved for just such a purpose.

To read the journaling easier, click here. Its the original blog post from back in 2010.  (and this is exactly why I blog so I can recall all the details when I get around to scrapping the story).

me and mine

Back in August when the wild flowers were in bloom, I trotted the kids out for a few pics over a few different days.

Her.

Him

Them

 And me. Photographed by Sean. Age 7.

little ray of sunshine - 11 days old.

I've finished the post production work from the 2 photoshoots of a 'little ray of sunshine in the shape of a girl'.  I photographed her at not even a day old, and again at 11 days old. For the moment all her shots are complete and in her album on Tiff Firth Photography wall.

Because her Mum is a bit special to me, I've included a collage so she can do a canvas is she wants too. Or for scrapbooking. Or whatever she chooses.

This little ray of sunshine is pretty darn cute, and was a bit hard to give back to her Mum.
x

a little ray of sunshine

11 days ago this little lady came into this world. I've been blessed to watch her grow from a tiny bump in her Mum to arriving into her arms.

I saw her the day after she was born to capture her very new fresh photos while I had the chance.

There are a few more in her album 'a little ray of sunshine' on Tiff Firth Photography. I'll be adding more during this week as I've photographed her at 10 days old. And there are some truly special shots in that set.

gym 2013

Sean's gym year finished tonight with the end of season windup. His level were all presented their trophies for their efforts. He's had such a year of growth in confidence and physical strength. Competing in two competitions and the extra training involved with that has been such a boost for him. Well done my boy. Well done.

My year as coach is far from finished. I'm picking up my MAG level 1 coaches ticket. That Mens Artistic Gymnast. So for me I've at least a day of study online, and a face to face training day in Adelaide either in the next few weeks or sometime early new year.  

Lol, like I have all the time in the world to do this. 

I'd like to follow the boys training more next year as that is where Sean is at, and be not so much with the girls.  But I don't want to leave any sessions short a coach, so its a bit tricky at present. What we really need as a club is for a parent or two to be willing to upskill themselves as coaches. They won't be on their own on the floor, but be able to assist more than just manning a station.

Fingers crossed that I can bring a parent along to Adelaide with me to train. (It'll be a good night out too hahaha)

stats as of November 2013

just been crunching some numbers out of curiosity.

• 100 598 visitors to my blog (little whoo hoo here)
• first blog post 11 June 2008 here
• most hit blog post here (I've no idea why this one lol). That one has had 1380 hits so far.
• 85 Blog Followers so far (care to 'follow me?' wink wink) badge on the left. :D
• 299 Networked Followers so far. (care to 'follow this blog?' more wink wink) again badge on the left. :D
• Follow me with Bloglovin 
• 1881 Fans of Tiff Firth Photography on Facebook
• 1431 friends with Tiff Firth on Facebook
• 150+ photography clients in front of my lenses. Both Family, Commercial and Tourism.
• 137 Scrapbooking Layouts either published or commissioned to be published.
• Published in Creative Paper, Scrapbook Trends (UK), Scrap 365, Scrapbooking Memories, Scrapbook Creations, Creating Keepsakes. 
• On Instagram
• On Pinterest. I really haven't done much with Pinterest other than viewing my photography clients boards that have pinned ideas for me to view. Brilliant visual cues of what the client would like from their shoot.

lol. No wonder I have not enough hours in my day.

I love you

My hands down absolute favourite LO from the retreat a few weeks ago. I've used the pearled Bazzil which really gave the water colour the same sheen as the balloons. I'm so in love with it.

Very little embellishing as I wanted the watercolour to shine.

eyes on asia - south australia getaway - picorial

Finally the parcel of images from my Eyre Peninsula photography tour with Eyes on Asia is done as far as post production goes. I've been burning up hours and hours of midnight oil to work them and finalize my short list for the coffee table book that's been produced.

I had to bring in help with my short listing. Originally I started with 73 images on the list. Laura helped me pruned the number back to 22. 10 more than the requested 12 for the book. Both of us just couldn't pull it back further.

These are just two shots from that week away with 13 other like minded shutterbugs. We really were spoiled with weather, accommodation and all the good things in life.

Many more in the Eyes on Asia South Australia Getaway - Eyre Peninsula - 2013 album on Facebook at Tiff Firth Photography

zoned

Its amazing what a cardboard box can be used for. In this case Sean stuffed himself inside it with his various teddies and zoned out watching a bit of TV.  31 May 2010.

Gotta love that bottom lip.

love this moment

I'm not really into the circle embellishment trend that's been around for the last little while. I just find round photos and circles a bit awkward for me to get my head around on my own LO. But I do love them on others. 

So this LO is a bit of a compromise. Using brand new Tim Holtz layering stencil (Dot Fade) with texture paste, cutting holes in the Kraft card with my Cameo, pearled brads, and dotty background paper all pulled together. Even the green arrow has raised dots (feels like braille). 

I can live with this one. Its subtle and not smacking me in the face. iykwim

*** for sale *** canon ef 24-70mm f2.8 L USM with lens hood

I've just updated my favorite walk around lens so I have a lens excess to my needs.

New is $1600.  Ebay is selling them for around $650.

Selling this one for $600. Plus postage/insurance. It is packed in the original box.

The lens has never failed me and has been well cared for. If I'm in doubt which lens to select from my backpack then this one will fit the bill. Wide enough for landscapes, enough zoom to keep me happy and fast at f2.8. and its a L lens. Can't recommend itself more than that. And it comes complete with its lens hood. No UV filter supplied in this package.

I'm not in the habit of publicly showing my email addy, so message me either via here or on Facebook here to get in touch.

adelaide zoo

LO number 3 from the Mini Retreat weekend. Simple and not a lot needed when the background mulberry paper is so dominant. Thanks Lou for the use of the ready to size Grey board. And Amy for taxiing out the glue stick along with the Frappe that Saturday at the retreat.

xx

Photo cluster frames by Katie Pertiet at Designer Digitals.

83

Very subtle water colouring and use of fringing scissors.

I vintaged the photo as well. 

I love this one so much. There's just no telling when I won't be able to get these hands together again, so I jump at every chance I can

fun factor

Of the 9 LO's completed at the recent mini retreat I can only show a few here. Some have other kids in them and I won't show them publically unless I have parental permission. One in particular has way too many kids to think about it. A few of the LO's are for commitments that will be revealed at a later date ;)

This one is my fave from the weekend. I've used the brand new Tim Holtz stencils (Rays Layering Stencil) and lots of mists to create the background.

Posted with parental permission  ;)

port pirie gym comp

Posting this belatedly but better than never. Just to get the details right when I go to scrapbook his story later on.

Sean and I left on Sunday of the long weekend to head to Port Pirie for the Gymnastics Invitational Competition. Kym was at Ungarra shooting in our club's annual Birthday 2 day shoot and I dropped Annie off to him there.

We arrived in Pirie in time to take burn up some energy on the incredible Playground. That place is kid heaven and take a quick peek into the stadium where the much older girls were still competing. I wanted Sean not be so over awed the next morning by walking in cold turkey. From there we joined another family from home for tea at the Sportsman Tavern.

Sean and I shared a bed that night and to be honest I didn't sleep well at all. He's such a wriggler and his feet are so cold when they touched my legs, my back, my feet. But at least he slept well.

We arrived in plenty of time to attach the competitor numbers to the leotards, to walk around and for them to start warming up. As the new coaching framework as come into place, I'm not MAG (male artistic gymnast) accredited (I'm a Level 1 WAG) I was not able to take our boys on the floor. So our Cummins boys were very fortunate to be under the stewardship of the Pirie boys coaches. And those men were awesome with them. I've now indicated to our club that I'll train myself up to MAG as well, so this doesn't happen again while I'm involved.

2 of our boys competed at Level 3 and Sean competed as Level 1, so Sean didn't have anyone else from our club with him in his group to go around with. Luckily that didn't seem to faze him at all.

He had six routines to exhibit and be judged on. All scores are out of 10
Floor            -      8.0
Pommel         -     8.3
Rings             -     8.35
Vault             -     7.0
Parallel Bars  -     8.15
High Bar       -      8.8

Overall score of 48.6

Sean won himself a medal for third place for High Bar. (There was a tie for first place).  He was the only gymnast from the 5 boys and girls from our club that won a medal. I'm pretty darn proud of him and for him. Now he sees all those hours of extra training have paid off.

40 little toes and 20 little bit bigger ones.

I've never had a family wait a month to get their photos back from their session. Until now. I'm a little embarrassed by it to be honest, but I've been that overwhelmed with work and life that there just hasn't been a way to get them returned any sooner.

I'm seeing a brighter light at the end of the tunnel now though. I'm not ticking off one thing on my list to have three more jump on. One thing I'd really like to get done is my own photos for scrapbooking. I've been sadly lacking there and my stockpile is seriously depleted. Its not that I don't have the photos, its that I like to digi them a bit and print them at the lab, not at home. Its just me and my way, but I may need to consider being more open to printing at home if I can't get my stockpile up.

And I've a few scrappy commitments that are pressing too. They are the next thing to tick off my list.

My blog has been sadly neglected, which again, I've never done. I haven't recorded about Sean's Pirie Gym Comp Medal (the only medal won by the Cummins kids) and I've not noted about by my Grandfather's 90th party.  Tomorrow's jobs. Another one to tick off my list.

These are a few of the shots from the patient family. There are more in the 40 little toes and 20 little bit bigger ones on Tiff Firth Photography on Facebook.

love is...

The Cummins Districts presented 'Love Is...'     It was a music hall event to showcase the local talent and to raise funds for our hospital.

Can I say if you didn't see it, you really missed out on the most amazing event of the year. There were 3 shows in Cummins and 2 in Tumby Bay.

Bravo.

I was asked to take the photos for the foyer display, the slideshow, stage backdrops and for other bits and pieces.

You can see the complete album 'Love Is...' on Tiff Firth Photography on Facebook.

Just as a teaser, meet the Cummins CWA branch members of  'Love Is...'

:)

life...

... has been overwhelmingly busy. I've photoshoots coming out of my ears and the time for post production is draining me. But I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. And I'm looking forward to well earned weekend off this weekend.

The Music Hall has been on of the many commitments that have crossed my desk

hostage

We headed out to a location tonight that I thought would be interesting to play with. John White, Rob Lang and Laura Smith were all in on it too.

We laughed a lot, ran around a bit, and let the creativity with light painting soar. We all played along for each others shots and this is mine of Rob as the hostage on the railroad track with an incoming train bearing down on him.

The bright light on the left is Venus and its reflection in the lake. And those little twinkle lights on the bottom left were the stars reflecting in the lake.

Cool huh!!

each year .....

.... usually about September I see this family in front of my lens. I hold the Mum's friendship near and dear to my heart. And her kids have become good friends with mine. And they hug me too. Love that.

He was playing peek a boo with the yellow brollie in the daises.

Special request by Miss 13 who loves to write. She composing her own novel at the moment.

Hi - 5

and baby will make three   :)

More in this album Family Fun times on Tiff Firth Photography on Facebook.

locals on the Eyes On Asia trip

A few of the locals I managed to photograph last week on the Eyes On Asia South Australia Getaway Trip that I was on.

We had Vietnamese, Swiss Germans, Singaporeans and Aussies on this trip. And it was a hoot.

Lots to work thru as well as the myriad of family photo shoots from the last few weeks. Busy times post processing ahead.