Photo Scavenger Hunt Update

I am joining in with Rinda's Photo Scavenger Hunt this Summer Winter.  You can find all the details here and you still have time to join in.  The whole family has been searching for some of the harder ones and we have really enjoyed it so far.  In my last post I said that the kids and I were planning to go into the city to knock a few more off our list while The LOML had a hospital appointment.  On the drive in the weather turned nasty!  This was the view from the hospital into the city ...

Not sure where the 'light rain' was supposed to fall????

We decided not to brave the rain (and risk colds) to walk into the city.  As it turned out the Dr decided that she didn't need to run any additional tests so the appointment only lasted 20min and we drove home.  A little bit of a let down!  While we were waiting and gazing out the window bemoaning the lack of hunting, we started talking about the cloud in the shape of something item.  The Thinker looked out the window and said "They are in the shape of something right now!".  We all looked out in puzzlement.  (Do you see anything in the photo above, because I didn't)
"Smoke!" he said, "It looks like smoke".  LOL  Clever boy, but we will keep hunting for that one.

Later in the week it was sunny again (albeit cold!) and we took the kids to an indoor market.  If I can't find an outdoor market before the end I will have to use this one.  It is winter and all the outdoor markets are closed.  My dad and his wife opened a store here when it was first built in 1990 and I worked here on the weekends when I was with them.

It is only open Thursday thru Sunday (and Public Holidays) and there are permanent stalls and short term stalls.  It was a little disappointing going back there as I haven't been in years.  The economy has taken a toll on so many small businesses, the markets were only half filled and all of the short term stalls were just filled with overflow stuff so that it looked fuller.  The only part of the markets doing a roaring trade was the food court.

That same day we took the kids out for lunch as a school holiday treat.  We went here ...

One of our local pubs, and the best looking one.

It is a beautiful old building and not very far from where we live but we hardly ever go that direction.  The old pub sits in front of the market building and the markets were built to match it.  So I am going to use this as #18 Your local pub or coffee house.  Especially as I don't drink coffee!

How did those black trousers get there?

And today while I was making a cup of tea I looked up and saw this through the window.  A load of whites on the line with a single dark item :-)  The LOML knows that I only have two work trousers and I wash and wear them each day.  He didn't want me to be without them if I had to go into the office on Friday.  Isn't he lovely :)  But it did look kinda funny amongst all those whites.

That is my round up so far.  If you want to see all my hunt posts just click on the label 'Photo Scavenger Hunt' or search for #chippershuntphotos on Instagram.

Happy hunting,
Chipper

Counterfeit Kit July 2013 Members Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop in the CKCB Members' Blog Hop!

This month we were challenged to pick a DT member and peruse their blog for a bit. Find something inspiring, and use that to create a project!

You should have come here from Lesley :-)

I have often been inspired by Jemma from Just Jim-Jams and so it was to her blog that I turned for this challenge.  I also liked Jemma's suggestion to draw a quick sketch of the layout that inspires you and list a few elements.  That way your finished layout will still be inspired by the original and not just a copy.

I took my inspiration from this layout by Jemma, which you can find blogged here.  I drew a quick sketch and took it with me on a night out crafting with friends.

Here is my Master Forger inspired layout with a photo from our visit with Goofy back in 2008.

"Goofy" inspired by Jemma

Even with all the themed bits in my kit I really like the colours in my finished layout.  It isn't an exact copy of the lifted layout but I like the sense of fun that it portrays.  I even used some of my new Sharpie Glitter Paint Pens to draw in some stitching.

The EK Success stamp set also came in handy for the three red circle embellishments.

Thanks for stopping by and now you should hop over to Leslie and she what lovelies she created!

The full blog hop list will be published on the CKCB so if you get lost along the way, head over there to find your way back onto the hop.

I love to read your comments so feel free to say "hi" if you've a moment to spare and happy hopping!

Chipper

Photo Scavenger Hunt Update

This year I am joining in with Rinda's Photo Scavenger Hunt.  You can find all of the details here and you have until September to collect as many as you can so there is still plenty of time to join in!

Last week the kids began two weeks of school holidays.  We stopped at a shopping center so The Princess could buy something she had been saving for and to drool over all the lovelies at the Apple Store.  While trying to find our way around the boys asked if I was going to take a photo of the dinosaur for my scavenger hunt.  I hadn't even seen him!!!!!  There were dinos all over the place ready for the school holidays.  I laughed when I realised that they really were getting into the spirit of the hunt.  So we walked and I took photos like a little kid, even though we already had our hunt photo.  So here are more photos of #20 A Dinosaur ...

A scary T-Rex

There were little dinos too

Including a photo with me that the Extrovert kindly took.

I had been struggling with #4 An Airplane even though I drove past the airport numerous times a week.  I see them all the time but trying to get a good shot with my phone while NOT driving is very difficult.  I had this one ...

The LOML snapped this one while I was driving

 And then this one when it was coming in to land while I was sitting at a set of traffic lights ...

I caught this one and cropped out the cars

 But then today I found the perfect plane to photograph ...

US Air Force Monopoly

I could have also used the FAB playing pieces ...

Monopoly playing pieces.

The Thinker (along with all of the family except me) plays a Footy (AFL) tipping competition on his iPod via an app.  It is sponsored by a local fast food chain and everyone who gets all of the tips right in a single round (week) wins a free burger.  His voucher expired today and not wanting him to miss out we popped down to one this afternoon.  Along the way we detoured past our City Council building and in between showers I quickly snapped a few shots of #3 City Hall or similar Civic Building.

Our local City Council Office

This is the new building which I had actually forgotten they had built.  I grew up in this area when we stayed at our dad's house.  My older brother (step-brother) had his wedding photos taken in the grounds many years ago.  In the photo below the river is down behind the trees and a few large ponds are around to the left.  In Spring it is always a beautiful location.

The war memorial

This is the older part of the building and on the roof I spied another tower for #8

A phone tower

And speaking of #8 A Tower, I snapped this photo last week when the kids were setting up another Monopoly.  As The Extrovert was putting together Monopoly Revolution (the worst version ever invented) he yelled out "Hey Mom, I found a tower for your photo hunt!"  So I had to quickly get the photo before I ran out the door to work.

Monopoly Revolution tower - it controls the game

As I didn't have to go to work today we played a family game of Monopoly (which is how I found the plane!) and it even included its own tower ...

Traffic Control Tower

Like most of our family games of Monopoly it turned into a marathon.  We love to play this game and it is a bonus that all five of us can play at once.  We have a huge Monopoly collection and have collected them while we traveled and they are also popular Christmas presents.  There is one I would love to add to our collection, the Coke Cola Vintage Adds board.  Today's game involved fierce trading, much yelling and coaxing, lots of laughs, and we even had to find a notebook to help keep track of all of the immunity deals that were mixed up in the trades!

After five and a half hours we finally had a winner.  It was down to The LOML and The Princess and money flew back and forth frantically until finally the scales tipped and The LOML won!

The kids and I are headed into the city tomorrow and hope to spy a few more items off of the list :)  How is your photograph hunt going?

Chipper

Counterfeit Kit June 2013 Members Blog Hop!

Welcome to my stop in the CKCB Members' Blog Hop! This is the first time I have joined in and I am very excited!

This month we were challenged to be inspired by a Farmer's Market!

Farmers' Market Challenge: get inspired by the displays, colours, textures, produce and all over feel of the place.

You should have come here from Lesley :-)

Now I currently don't live near very many Farmer's Markets, but I've been lucky enough to have visited plenty when we lived elsewhere and while holidaying in France.  The sights, smells and yummy produce are memories I will never forget.  For some strange reason when I think of a Farmer's Market I instantly think of blue, red and yellow ... no idea why, I just do!  Along with worn wooded boxes, awnings and plenty of bunting.

Here is my Farmer's Market inspired layout with a photo of The Thinker's 2nd Birthday way back in 2000!

 

I wanted a distressed/rustic blue background so I grabbed a white piece of textured Bazzill and inked the edges with Memento 'Paris Dusk'. When used this way I find Memento comes out lighter than when you stamp with it.   I used more goodies from my swap package and I just couldn't resist the cherry washi tape, what would a Farmer's Market be like without cherries!  I counterfeited the mini flag using the ones made by Jennifer Grace as inspiration, I love the seed bead on the top!

Thanks for stopping by and now you should hop over to Dawn and she what lovelies she created!

The full blog hop list will be published on the CKCB so if you get lost along the way, head over there to find your way back onto the hop.

I love to read your comments so feel free to say "hi" and happy hopping!

Chipper

Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt - 2

Do you find that you are so used to your surroundings that you have become blind to the beauty around you?

I think that must be what has happened to me.  But the Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt organised by Rinda has changed that!  I see myself looking around all of the time and noticing things that I was looking at without really seeing.  While sitting at a set of traffic lights yesterday (looking for a plane!) I noticed a Eucalyptus tree in full flower ... beautiful!

Here is my next installment of photos from the hunt.  This one caught me by surprise.  I was at work and I heard a truck pull up out the front and sit at idle.  I popped out to see what was happening and imagine my surprise when I saw this ...

#15 A firetruck

After I established that all was ok I nipped back inside and grabbed my phone and snapped this photo just in time.  The fireman were repainting the white markings on the kerb that show where the hydrant connection is (they are actually just behind the tree on the left) and finished just as I took the photo.  I think they thought I was a little cuckoo.

This next photo was a suggestion by the kids.  I wonder if if was just so that we could all have a treat ...

#20 A Dinosaur

I thought I would get stuck on the mosaic one unless I went for the stained glass option but while driving to work I noticed this ...

#14 A Mosaic

I drive past it every time I go to work but hadn't really paid much attention to it.  When I exit the highway to get to work I then drive under the highway and head north.  This is a very large mosaic that decorates the underpass.  I noticed it on day one but I haven't been able to safely snap a picture until yesterday.  I was stuck in traffic and rolled down the passenger window to grab a shot before moving on.

For this last photo I had originally planned to catch The Beagle out, but I couldn't resist when I came upon The Princess ...

#6 Someone taking a nap

I had thought that I would have managed to get an airplane by now as I drive past the airport almost twice a day, but since the hunt began I haven't had one fly over me while I have been sitting at the lights.  As it is a highway I can't safely pull over and take a photo when I see a plane.  I might just have to detour one day and pull into the airport :-)

So how are you going with your hunt?

Chipper

Summer Scavenger Photograph Hunt

Welcome to Summer Winter 2013 and Rinda's Photography Scavenger Hunt. I was tantalised by all of the photos posted last year and it looked like so much fun that I decided to join in this time around.  Pop on over to Rinda's blog to get all of the details and join us.  I will also be posting my photos to Instagram with #Summertimescavengerhunt like some of the other participants so if you are on there add the same #tag (and feel free to follow me with the link on the right).

Are you ready for this year's list? You have until the last day of summer (September 21) to find and photograph the following items:
1. Open air market
2. Theater for performing arts (not a movie theater)
3. City Hall, Capitol or other similar civic building
4. Airplane
5. A sunset
6. Someone or something taking a nap
7. A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny
8. A tower
9. A photo with someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong
10. A bench that is outside
11. An animal in a zoo, aquarium, nature preserve, etc.
12. A cloud in the shape of something (please specify what you see)
13. A fence
14. A stained glass object or a mosaic
15. A fire truck or police car
16. A windmill
17. Candle(s)
18. Your local pub/bar, coffee house or tea shop
19. A fisherman
20. A dinosaur
21. A photograph of you with an artistic tool or craft supply (you cannot substitute for this item)

Bonus/substitute items. If you find any of the above items too difficult, feel free to substitute either (or both) of these items. You can substitute up to two items, but you cannot substitute Item #21:
A person wearing an outfit (or item of clothing) that symbolizes your country
A sundial

Some of these will be easy, some should be easy, and others will be a challenge!

I have printed off the list and stuck it to the dash of my car :-) The kids all think I have lost my mind but they are all getting into the spirit of it. They have been making suggestions and so I had to add in another rule or two of my own ... Photos can not be staged or taken in the house. They have to be come upon randomly or hunted out! That started a whole new conversation on where they could stick a candle so that I would come upon it randomly! LOL

It isn't summer here (in case you missed the not-so-subtle hint at the beginning) and so the kids are still at school. They do get two weeks vacation/holiday soon and I am using this as a way to plan an outing or two. We have spent the past few years working too much and couped up at home in between, it is time that we 'stopped to smell the roses'. (If you get my drift ...)

I was sitting at work (a builders display home) when I realised that there was a bench outside in the yard!  So here is  #10 A bench that is outside.  The sun was setting and I played around a bit to get just a few rays popping into the photo.  I like the affect.  The arbour above is filled with grapes in the summer.  Last summer I picked them for the kids and filled a whole bag.  They were YUM!  But now it is winter and the leaves are falling ...

10: A Bench That Is Outside

The LOML is home a lot more recently so I asked him to look out for two specific things when he ventured down to the shops.  Something out of place, and a sign that was funny.  The next day he sent me this photo by text message ...

7: A Sign that is intentionally/unintentionally funny

He walked down to the local store to grab some stuff for dinner and saw this sign ROFL!  Someone needs a geography lesson!  He was laughing so hard he forgot to buy garlic and The Extrovert had to go back for it later as spaghetti isn't the same without it.  But at least he got the photo :)  We debated over which prompt to use it for but as it got us all laughing we went with #7 A sign that is intentionally and unintentionally funny.

I am looking forward to finding the rest.  We had considered the museum for the dinosaur (and we still might anyway as it is free!) but a new suggestion has just popped up that everyone is excited about.  I love how a blog idea has the whole family talking!  Thanks to Alison for showing me how fun it could be when you join in with something like this.

Happy hunting,

Chipper

The Height of Summer

I enjoy reading Julie's blog over at Notes on Paper and this August she is running a series called The Height of Summer Winter :-)  Have you ever corresponded with someone and then finally met them and you were surprised by their height?  I remember going to Madame Tassauds and standing next to the wax figure of John Wayne and being absolutely SHOCKED at his size!!!  I also didn't realise just how petite Kylie Minogue is.  Size is hard to picture at times and as bloggers we sit behind our computers/iPads/Smart phones and never really consider each of our heights.

As taking a photo with my family would just be too easy (and besides only The Princess is still smaller than me) and I really wanted to think of something different.  So I came up with this ... I just hope it works!  

I am just a smidge taller than 120 distress inks stacked one on top of the other :-)  So how tall does that make me?  (It turned out smaller than I had hoped. The sign says 10 = 14cm = 5.5")

Chipper

P.S. I used the stop animation app Stop Animator by Samuel Adams.  It was free and super easy to use.