Scrappy Kea

For Winter Fest Market @ Remarkables Park put info on LaraFUNalia blog!

I've been thinking.  I'm always thinking:-)  I don't really stop.... But, I've been thinking about what I could call myself/us IF I decided to do paid photography shoots.  I don't want it to be my name necessarily - Jase could very easily be actively involved one day (he is the one with the design degree - mines in education and health...) so in some ways it needs to encompass both of us...  I think photography needs to be in the 'name'. My first thoughts were Lara Moss Photography, but if I type this in google there's a Laura Moss Photography - a 'u' is too close for my thinking.... I had toyed with... Lara Jane Photography Lara Jane Moss Photography -but they seemed too much all 'me' with no room for Jase to be involved. So I came up with a few other possibilities... Moss Photography (there is an architectural one already in Denver Colorado - does this matter???) KEA Moss Photography (KE&A being the initials of my thre...

After a kind of non-scrapbooking or rather only scrapbooking at camps or retreats for a couple of years I decided it was time to get back into regular local scrapbooking events.  Last month I invited a couple of people to join me for  a Scrap Saturday - International Scrapbooking Day.  It was lots of fun, very creative, and nice to mix with some people I hadn't spent much time with as well as with others I catch up with regularly.  Our scrap days will typically be the first Saturday of each month - except January. I asked Andrea from Scrapbook Outlet if she could send a box of goodies for sale on the day (Queenstown doesn't have any LSS apart from The Warehouse) to help inspire us and she also organised for Nic Howard to send us some Washi Tape .  I put the washi with some muslin, ribbon, 6x6 piece of paper and a gift tag (cut on the cricut) together as a little challenge pack for the ladies attending today.   I look forward to seeing what they come up...

It's a bit 'cheaty' wearing black for these photos of where I am at, but they are my only exercise pants and thermal tops are a necessity at the moment!  Bare feet was a bit risky! Since December 12th 2011 when I started Fat Chance! the no going back workbook I have lost 20.4kgs and 22cm from around my waist.  I don't want it back.  I have learned to love moving - I can run the 8km around Lake Hayes, swim 2 1/5 km in 50 minutes and use the exercycle if the weather, time or short days mean I can't do either of the other two daily exercises.  This, from someone who has always hated running. I still surprise myself that I like running.   I am still working towards a healthy BMI but slowly and surely I will get there.  I am eating regular, balanced meals and don't feel hungry.   I like feeling this way and I love being able to buy clothes 'off the rack' at normal clothing stores.  

This weekend I joined 8 other ladies and 1 man for a portrait workshop in Kakanui.   Rachael Kelly shared her expertise in portrait photography and her skills as a professional photographer.  I have lots to learn and lots to process following the weekend - thinking and reflecting, not post processing of photos!  We worked through three different types of portraits - family, engagement and maternity, each had different challenges.  I learned mostly that I need to get to know my camera and the lenses more so I can make it do what I want quickly. Our first session was with an amazing family at the Kakanui Estuary and beach, bright sunlight and bitterly cold wind challenged us.  Gloves and hats were worn.  I was thankful for my puffer jacket. Saturday afternoon: engagement shoot.  What a great couple to put up with 10 cameras aimed at them for a couple of hours!  I really enjoyed thinking about the settings and possibities for sites for photographs...

Just cause I am putting of getting on the bike and packing for a weekend away... here's a simple tutorial that tells how I make the skirts in the previous post! Click on the image above to be able to download a pdf. Smiles, Lara Should be all go now...

I'm feeling a bit short of clothes at the moment so have been sewing for the last couple of nights. Ethan says I should make all of my clothes and the girls think I should sew them something. Based on the apple I used on the first skirt I think this series of skirts will be titles 'apple for the teacher'. Simple A-line, just below the knee, skirts. Perfect to wear with over the knee socks and some boots for winter. Late night photos...not great, but you get the picture.

And there is so much to learn!  Who knew?  On getting a DSLR I decided that I needed to use it in manual.  I haven't used it in full auto.  Mainly using Apperture priority and really love using the 50mm 1.8 lens - cheapest lens but love the depth of field it helps create with photos.  I am also enjoying using 'Light Room' to edit my photos but did use Picasa to create the collages for this post.  With the weather reports...I might get to take some snow photos before the weeks out. I think people are my key photography subjects.  I think I like trying to capture who they are. e.g. my rather scruffy middle daughter, the pensive oldest and the creative son.  I also enjoyed capturing my nephew and niece...actually got some sparkle in my nephews eyes AKA catchlights. Scenery and Flora...so pretty, adore the DOF with the 50mm when looking closely at plant life.  I think I need to do lots of work on good scenery shots. Exploring DOF with Miss A ...

After weeks of research and 19.5 kgs lost, I cheated and got me a DSLR camera 0.5kgs early. I have only had a wee play but absolutely love it!

Yay, I am going to a portrait workshop with Rachael Kelly.  Something for me.  Something I've always wanted to explore further! I read on Facebook that she had a couple of spaces left.... Just Saying:-)

We went into the Nevis this weekend.  A bit of a family history trip really.  My Great Grandad was raised in there.  His adoptive mum and dad ran the Nevis Boarding House.  We found out where it once stood - after we had passed the site, but we know for next time!  Mum & Dad came up from the farm for the weekend and we enjoyed their company - even if they didn't like the pull out sofa much.  We borrowed a 4WD from a friend of Jases and made our way in to Glenorchy (stopping at the cafe for a coffee) and then traveling through the Nevis.  Jase drove us well - even though mum was worried we'd get stuck in there and she had her sleeping bag with her!  Jase had even made our lunch and afternoon tea - Deluxe Bacon & Egg Pie and some Vanilla Custard Squares with lemon & coconut icing.  Yum.  There was lots to see and I wish I had my DSLR camera already to try to do justice to what we could see.  We exited near Garston and mad...

It's been a week of celebrations and busy afternoons. It started with Mothers day. Next was my Father in laws birthday, parents in laws wedding anniversary, parents wedding anniversary and today it's my sisters birthday. On Wednesday it was a colleagues birthday too. She had asked about buying a candle after I had made her a little one as a gift... so I made her a big one, refilling a glasshouse container I had. Made one for me too and some smaller ones. We did breakfast at the Hilton, nice relaxed morning before school started. Next weekend looks busy too but without the celebrations.

As I get closer to my goal weight, the DSLR camera gets closer too. On Monday night I joined the Queenstown Photography Club .  I went with a friend.  My desire for a DSLR has increased, this group is an opportunity to get support to use the DSLR.  I don't want to be stuck in auto mode, I want to explore the camera and what it can do.  I want to make images. I have been researching what will work for me...it came down to a more entry level DSLR in both Canon & Nikon  - the 600D & the D5100 and then a more 'enthusiast' model in Canon (60D) & Nikon (D90).  I was gearing towards the Canon 60D...and a posed Facebook question came up with a similar result.  Right at this very moment this is the camera I am aiming for!  But then I have the problem of what lens to get.  The common thought is that the kit lenses aren't very good...I checked out some lenses and wonder about going for a standard 'prime' lens e.g. EF 50mm F1.8 and then s...

I used to use Picnik for editing some of my photos - loved that it co-ordinated with Picasa.  Picasa now has many of the Picnik features added into it but I have been exploring a few of the other editing options online... www.ipiccy.com - looks a lot like Picnik www.picmonkey.com - created by two of the former Picnik designers, they think it's even better - I got this info from Interface Magazine, Term 2 May 2012 issue, page 47 - Article by Greg Adams.

I have wanted to have a go at making a video tutorial for quite a while.  Today I gave it a go.  We have a school cluster wide 'Movie Making' competition this year so I need to use the skills I want the kids to learn.  Killing two birds with one stone.   The project is one I worked on about 3 years ago, and one I have repeated a few times since.   I decided I was a bit mad for deciding to do it but I charged up the flip video, got out my gorilla pod thingy for it (as I write this I wonder why I didn't use the big tripod - I wouldn't have needed to put the chair on the table...oh well, maybe next time - if there is a next time!).  I said 'umm' way too many times and not sure I like hearing my own voice.  Here goes if you are interested... Card Folio I have put together a little project for those of you who want something quick & easy to do – it could be the perfect gift for a birthday, mothers day, teachers gift, to say thank you...

Sunday.  Went for a run before the kids were up.  Nice sunny morning but the day turned a bit wet & wild with awesome thunder and lightening before clearing again.  The kids did some rollerblading before church.  The teaching at church was challenging.  That's good.  It was nice to chat with lots of people afterwards.  It's been a year since we lost one of our young men in a helicopter accident so spending time with his family was important today.  After church we did a grocery shop.  We got the obligatory chips for 'chip sandwiches' a favourite for our lunches, but since I have been taking care of what I eat and moving more this has not been a regular Sunday lunch like it used to.  Today we had our chips mixed in with lettuce, cheese and ham buns.  A little more nutritional.  I bought some corn fed chickens to roast for dinner.  J's eyes lit up at the prospect.  While we were enjoying our Sunday roast Tahi our ...

Today wasn't a usual Saturday.  Firstly, I woke up early and got up early - 6:00am - for a Saturday it was early anyway.  The cats were keen to be fed and our Trusty Delivery was at the door - milk & vogels.  I had my usual flat white & poached egg on toast with cracked pepper.  The kids eventually got up and watched some Saturday morning tea.  Our overnight guest knew most of the theme songs.  very funny.  We headed into town as I wanted to go to the Salvation Army store to see if there was anything suitable to wear to an evening next Friday.  It wasn't open when we arrived so we went to Vudu for some hot chocolates.  While I was waiting for our order I met up with Julie who was my next door neighbour as I grew up (next door being 500m down the road - dairy farming community).  With hot drinks in hand we made our way back to the 'World Famous in New Zealand' Salvation Army store.  The kids were happy to sit outside and enj...

 So Friday started early.  Was awake so got up before my alarm went off.  Like my 'Bitter Sweet Chocolate' hair lots.  It was easier choosing what to wear today with my hair colour closer to normal.  My clothes went with it.  Had a cool chat with one of my students about why I went for black hair.  She wanted to know how I did it.  Poached egg on toast for breakfast on one of my favourite plates.   I drove the 'truck' to work again today - had to be selective where I parked as it doesn't have a very good turning circle.  I parked in front of the admin section with the Poutama pattern running up the wall. We had a 'Pod' meeting this morning to look at our inquiry planning for next week and beyond.  We 'brain stormed' some ideas on our hub whiteboard.  Our team leader was really thoughful and brought in a coffee for each of us and a muffin.  Since I'd had breakfast, I saved my muffin for a Friday morning tea treat.  It ...

Thursday 26th April 2012 Usual start to the day with a flat white. Getting to school was a little different.  With my car deciding not to go yesterday...it was the 'truck' - a White Toyota Ute - only 4 gears - yep, manual and it has a 'choke' to help it start.  No power steering and the handbrake light stays on even when the handbrake is off.  I got there safely despite the work out I got driving the 10 minutes to school.  Hard going.  But I do love the sense of actually driving once again - the automatic, powersteering cars don't involve nearly so much satisfaction when you get to your destination.  Too easy!  The work day was long, teaching followed by an eLearning team meeting with the DP & Principal.  I finished at about 5:30pm.  I'd had to cancel some foils due to this meeting but was able to still get my hair cut at Crew.  I enjoyed a cup of 'crisp apple' tea between having my hair washed and getting it cut.  I love when...

  Wednesday 25th April 2012 ANZAC Day This morning I didn't have to get up early.  I got to sleep in a little.  When I did get up (about 7:30ish) it was our Trusty Delivery Morning - two cartons of milk and a pack of vogels.  I then had the job of sewing on some girl guide badges for Miss K in preparation for an ANZAC day parade.  For some reason we don't have dawn parades here.  I miss these, there was something special about getting up early in remembrance.  The girls were photographed by the ODT laying their poppies in remembrance for the fallen soldiers. The photographer took their names down.  I'll have to check the papers tomorrow to see if they have made the cut.  I spent some time this afternoon checking out DSLR cameras.  I figure I'll reach my 'healthy weight' range in the next 3 months and then I can get myself one as a reward.  I am thinking if I keep an eye out on prices and camera reviews I'll be well informed...