On writing an e-course

I've mentioned a few times in passing that I've been trying to write a Toy Camera inspired e-course... I get a lot of questions about my cameras and I thought, well if people go out of their way to ask me about it, then maybe I can share what I've learnt through an e course and the more I thought about it, the more I loved the idea. However, it took me about 2 or 3 months to just write the structure of the course out. I'm not kidding. This is not an easy task.

My first mistake was in trying to write a course to teach people how to use their cameras. I've never had any photography lessons, or been taught anything to do with film or plastic cameras. Everything that I know, I've found out myself and learnt through (a lot) of trial and error. So in the end, I really struggled, as I wasn't 100% sure on all the actual facts to start with or whether people would want to learn from a self taught, mistake maker. (heh, I like that... self taught, mistake maker...)

It was only last week, after leaving the plan for a couple of weeks, that I realised exactly what it is that I want to share with people. I want to share my passion and love for toy camera and film photography. I want people to take part and want to pick up their camera and take photos. I want them to love their photos, enjoy taking them and share the results enthusiastically. I want to reach out to like minded people and talk to them about photos, really get to know them and their style, what makes them tick, what they're scared of, what they want to achieve. I want to share it all with them.

And in that moment, I realised that this course wasn't about the cameras at all, it was about my photography journey and what I've learnt so far and its about their journey and where they want to be. And I think, that in being a part of this course with other people, I'm actually going to learn as much as they will because no one's photography journey ever really ends, your goals change, your results change, you change... and your photography always reflects that.

Gosh, I'm so excited about it, I just need to actually write the actual content now, haha. (also I needed to get this out too before I start... any encouragement/kicks up the butt would be most appreciated)

p.s. I am absolutely terrified that no one is actually going to want to do this course, but I'm writing it anyway. Score one for bravery.

p.p.s. I'm also attempting to share more on here, score two!

Blogging is weird (and amazing)

This month my little blog is 4 years old. I wasn't going to post anything about it to be honest, but then I saw that Christina from Down and Out Chic wrote a really honest post about her four years of blogging, and I knew that I had something to say about it too. And the one thing that I've learnt in the past 4 years is that blogging is weird. (And I guess the fact that I love doing it so much makes me even weirder... but I'm OK with that.)

Blogging is weird, you can't deny it, but more importantly than that - I've also learnt that it is absolutely amazing and even with amazingness all around you, it is so easy to forget that.  In fact, both Christina and I wrote a post each nearly 3 years ago that still seems relevant to me now. I wrote...

I love blogging, I love my blog – I work incredibly hard on it – and I love the people who read my blog! I love the comments, I love the interaction, I love that I have made friends all around the world… and some close to home. I love that I made something from nothing and that I have found out more out about myself through blogging than I ever imagined I would.

Christina’s post focused on being kind, working hard and measuring your success through your own happiness and right now its nice to love my blog without worrying that someone maybe be judging it negatively…

Blogging is what you make it – there is always going to be negativity but personally I choose to ignore it – there is more positivity within me, my blog, my readers and the blogging world to concentrate on – so lets celebrate that instead!

In 3 years, this hasn't changed, blogging will always be what you make it. There will always be perceived pressures, but you can ignore them and that is totally fine. Sure there may be ways to blog better, to promote yourself better, or to protect yourself better even, but its up to you if choose to do them or not. Maybe you don't want to earn money or your blog... so, don't. And maybe you want to share a whole post of blurry puppy/baby photos... do it! (and send me a link haha). Or perhaps you do want to earn money on your blog, then do it but only if you really love it. Love every second of your blog because in 5/10 years time, you will be the one looking back on it and remembering how you felt at that time, not anyone else.

I truly love blogging because I've learnt that the best way to love it, is to do it for yourself (I know people say this all the time, you probably even say it too, but do you really mean it and really do it?). I started this blog because I was looking for something, but I didn't find it in earning money or fancy designs. I found it in other people, and more importantly, I found it in myself and what I could do. It's given me something to be passionate about, and I need that. As Christina said, blogging is about finding that balance, but its also about expressing yourself and learning who you really are... your blog is a reflection of you and you'll only be truly happy with it when you know what you really want from it, not what you think you want, or what you think others want from it.

In the past 4 years I have found a number of things I've been looking for through my blog, but I know that I'm still looking for something else and although I'm not 100% sure what it is, I think I'm closer to it than I've ever been before, and that is very, very exciting! So I could be here for another 4 years... or maybe another 10, you never know... but I'm starting to realise that searching for something, is just as fun as finding it.

Some blog fun...

{Me in the snow last weekend, it was pretty deep}

I haven't done a blog award/tag post in a looooong time... (just over 2 years to be exact) and I decided that as I managed to get two in the past week, now was the time to pass them on. I'm going to try not to repeat myself from my previous facts, so if you want to read more about me, you can see previous random facts here.

First up is the My Favourite Things of 2012 tag from the lovely Belen, who I have been blog friends with for what feels like forever. You should head over and say hi!!

So, here goes... Favourite Makeup - My favourite makeup is actually two things, the new They're Real  mascara from Benefit (though is it that new now?). It's a bit pricey but it is worth it, I've tried a lot of mascaras and this is honestly the best I've ever used. My second new favourite is the Rimmel Just Bitten Lipstain, specifically in Crush. It looks so pretty and lasts ages. I totally blame Ashley for this, I had to get one after seeing her video on it.

Favourite Book - Hmm, I'm trying to think if I read anything new. I started Life of Pi in December, and I'm enjoying that so far but I mostly spent 2012 rereading my old favourites, pretty much every book series by David Eddings and also the 'In Death' series by J.D. Robb.

Favourite Album - I suck at picking one favourite, so instead my top 3 albums of last year Magic Hour by the Scissor Sisters (my all time fave band ever) In our Heads by Hot Chip (My all time 2nd fave) Haunted Man by Bat for Lashes. 2012 was a good year for music.

One thing that I'm grateful for - The people that I love. 2012 was a very weird year... and so many people were supportive of me and there when I needed them. I have a lot of amazing people in my life and I will forever be blown away and so grateful for them.

Greatest Challenge - Accepting myself. 2012 really was a good year to pick the word 'considerate' and I learnt that although you may be who you are because of the people around you -  you are also who you are in-spite of them and that's pretty awesome.

What are you looking forward to in 2013? - Oh gosh, what am I not looking forward to! 2013 is exciting, birthday's, hen parties, holiday's, crochet projects... but mostly, I can't wait for the Summer and to take lots of photos. Oh also, I should have my e-course ready sometime this year, I finally realised what it is I actually want it to be, so now I just need to crack on with it. Woop! This year should be good.

So, for My Favourite Things of 2012, I tag... Antonella, Clio, Jenny and Michelle. (Go say hi!)

Next up is the Liebster blog award which I received from Nancy at Little Pink Cakes who lives in Berlin.

"Liebster" is German for something like "dearest" or "favourite" and the award aims to feature small, great blogs and help them to be discovered by more people. In fact, it is no "real" award. If you receive it, you can accept it and then pass it on - a simple concept.  Means, there is no competition or application or jury or any such things.

So here are the few rules of the award:

When you receive the award, you post 11 ran­dom facts about your­self and ans­wer 11 ques­ti­ons from the person who nomi­na­ted you:

• pass the award onto at least 3–5 other blogs and ask them 11 ques­ti­ons. Make sure you tell them you nomi­na­ted them!
• you are not allo­wed to nomi­nate the blog who nomi­na­ted you...

11 Facts about Me

1. I absolutely love making crochet gifts, I'm currently making an awesome blanket. 2. I keep saying that I'll get a dog before I'm 30, but 30 is really creeping up now... 3. I love pickled food, pickled chilli is my new and current favourite. 4. I have a small scar on my forehead where I fell over as a toddler. 5. I know 5 people who have got engaged in the last 2 months, honestly, I'm a little freaked out by it. 6. I'm totally addicted to games on my phone and tablet. Current favourites are Temple Run 2 and Monsters Ate My Condo... they're so fun! 7. I love running. That feeling of being 'in the zone' is amazing. 8. I am always excited about something. There is so much to look forward to. 9. I still haven't found the perfect weekday breakfast... 10. I am a total sucker for a happy ending. 11. I always listen to music at work.

My answers to 11 questions...

1. Where are you right now?

At work... oops. I write most of my blog spots in my lunch and then schedule them for the next day though, so its fine.

2. If you could beam yourself, where would you go in exactly this moment?

To the beach. Always.

3. What is the thing you never forget to take with you? Except your keys. And except your mobile. And except your camera. :)

My purse. haha, perhaps that should be on the except list too. Actually though I always have my USB stick of photos with me and my passport.

4. Take the book you are reading at the moment and quote the third sentence from page 42. "You won't tell?" Jo to Laurie in Little Women. I always have this book on my phone with me for emergencies, I love it.

5. Is there a film you could watch over and over again? Which one? I watch so many over and over, but the one would be The Incredibles. I just love it.

6. How does your usual Sunday look like? A little lay in, bacon and eggs for breakfast, cleaning, doing the washing, going for a nice walk, lots of nice food, I ring my parents and then we usually watch a film before bed.

7. How many pairs of shoes do you have?

Not as many as I used too haha, which is amazing. Perhaps 12 including boots and wellies.

8. Do you have any peculiar personal rituals (such as always hanging your washed socks in pairs)? Umm, I'm not sure to be honest

9. If an alien asked you which place to visit on earth what would you recommend? Ohhh tough... everywhere! That's where I'd want to go... how could you decide??

10.What's your favourite quote? "No one needs to tell you you're in love, you just know it, through and through." (yes, its from the Matrix, I don't care, I love it)

11. Popcorn salted or sweet? Salted! I love salt, it's a problem haha. Actually for years I thought I hated popcorn as I didn't realise there was another flavour other than sweet, but now I love it and always get a big box at the cinema, yum!

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So I give the Leibster blog award to... Jasmine, Dawn, Fiona and Natalie. (More amazing bloggers, check them out!)

And my questions are... (I've borrowed a couple from Nancy as I like them)

1. If you could play any instrument, what would it be? 2. If you could beam yourself, where would you go in exactly this moment? 3. What is the thing you never forget to take with you? Except your keys. And except your mobile. And except your camera. :) 4. What is your favourite kind of cake? 5. Is there a film you could watch over and over again? Which one? 6. What word describes you best? 7. How many pairs of shoes do you have? 8. What is your favourite Pixar film? 9. If an alien asked you which place to visit on earth what would you recommend? 10.What's your favourite quote? 11. What really makes you laugh?

Ta da! That was a bit of fun for a Friday wasn't it. Have a great weekend!

p.s. Michelle from Mizhenka is giving away a 35mm Juice Box Camera - how fun!

10 Years

(This is one of the first photos that we ever had together... I still love it)

I don't usually get sappy on here, but I couldn't let this date pass by without a quick mention.

It's hard to believe that Thomas and I have been together for 10 years, sometimes it feels like no time at all since I first saw him in his way too big duffel coat and stripey hat and other times it feels like I can't remember life without him with me.

I remember when we first met (at a tender 17) I was so enthusiastic about love, I never expected it to be hard to be in a relationship, but no matter how hard its been, we've made it through together and come out stronger and as I said at 7 years... still loving each other, more and more everyday.

p.s. We're having a low key celebration by going to our favourite places and eating and drinking our favourite things, I can't think of anything more perfect :) I'm a lucky lady.