Tuesday 15 June 2010

The long weekend, a blue necklace and some favourite photography sites


Well, I ended up running so late last week, some things just had to give and the blog post was one of them. But I'm here now :D

The long weekend passed in a blur, as it does when you have three children running around driving you crazy. I really don't know where they get their energy from but they're constantly on the go. They compete for the spotlight as far as attention goes (from anybody - not just me!) and the uneven factor (3 verses 2 or 4) means that there is often one trying to be painful to at least one of the others. *sigh* Hubby went off to the Queensland Aerobatic Championships for the weekend so once again in my guise as Farmer Piper I took the reins. All fine though - short bursts of farm responsibility are OK :)

I've also been dragging myself out to the gym every couple of days. Obviously I'm too far from town to pop into the gym but in my garage I have a step machine, rowing machine, bench and free weights that have just been collecting dust for months. The time has come however - I've obviously taken it far too easy since summer (first because it was too hot, then because I was too slack) and need to clear the cobwebs and get some reasonable level of fitness back. It's hard work (even though they're only short workouts so far) but I'm sure I'll feel better for it soon. Well, perhaps once the muscle soreness goes away!

On the positive side, this past week I had a creative burst that lasted days (it is usually only a day or maybe two) so I have lots of lovely new finished jewels scattered around my bench plus a couple of orders I'm still working on.

Today's photo is one of the new pieces. I was in the right place at the right time to get these beautiful royal blue ultra smooth kyanite ovals :) They're not big, but the colour is absolutely spectacular! It's easy to think they're really sapphires in the most desired blue. I've made them into a fine silver chain with the addition of some gorgeous tanzanite that I've been hoarding for a while. Tanzanite has always been a favourite of mine with its delicate periwinkle blue colour. Yummy!

I'm a big fan of lovely photos - I have quite a collection of macro photography books weighing down my shelves, but I love great photographs of all sorts of things and find them very inspiring. I follow quite a lot of blogs that have gorgeous photos although most are photos that others have taken - they present them to a theme or idea and they are wonderful to look at.

But if you like to look at original photos too, check out these few sites - most are professionals but there are a couple of amateurs included. Maybe you'll find one or more that you'll love too! (I've got my eye on one of Clark Little's amazing wave photos for our beach house!)

Where I live
The Satorialist
Clark Little
Deceptive Media
Accessible
Chromasia
Creative Outlet
Jeff Lynch
Deblurr

OK, enough getting distracted at those sites... I'd best get to these orders!
Till next :)
Annette

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous necklace! That would be so pretty with summer ensembles.
Come visit my inspiration board, galleryofinspiration.blogspot.com!

Heidi Willis said...

That necklace photo is just beautiful!! I'm not sure why I haven't been to this blog before, but I'm following now! I'll come back later (when I'm fully awake... it's midnight here!) and check out the other photo sites you've linked.

Thanks so much for coming by my blog, always leaving such kind comments, and for linking me here!

Be A Fun Mum said...

I love necklaces and I love photography! I'll have to check out some of those sites Annette.

Wezz said...

I love love LOVE the new necklace! The blue is just gorgeous! Oh and I know all about the uneven number of kids, having grown up with 2 siblings... LOL

Hugs,Wezz

ChezChani said...

You will be doing yourself such a favour if you make exercise a regular part of your schedule.

I've just had a grueling work weekend, 2 days no break, the 2nd one 10 hours straight w/absolutely no sitting down. I know that if I was not in shape, at my age I would not have gotten through it so well.

Another absolutely fabulous piece of jewelry!!!!!!!!

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

Really pretty necklace ~ the blue is so striking!

Name: Holly Bowne said...

Good for you, making exercise a priority. I've been focusing on doing the same. I had stopped for a bit because I'd hurt my knees and couldn't do any of my favorite aerobic workouts. But I finally realized that I could still do OTHER things, like weights, so I'm "just doing it!" :o)

(Hey, I just noticed Heidi Willis visted your blog! I follow her as well. Hi Heidi!)

Judith Tetley said...

Divine necklace Annette....so glad to hear that you've been in a creative hype...hope we will see some more of your gorgeous work soon.
Kind Regards
Judith
http://creativestudio10.blogspot.com

Mandee said...

Love the necklace!
Sounds as though you have been busy as usual. I know what you mean about the kids. Mine are always trying to compete as well, which can sometimes be quite frustrating.
Sounds like you have some gym in your garage. I wish I had workout equipment here. I am really going to need it once this baby is born!

Le said...

wow i am loving that necklace - it's just divine .... i know what you mean about the long weekend ... now no more till ...

when I first read your hubby was away I read aerobic and thought what the .... hee hee le

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

What a pretty necklace.

The weekend flies by way to fast.

I adore macro photos, too.

Veronica Lee said...

I love, love, love the blue necklace. It's to die for!!

Have a nice day, Annette!

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