My old film camera …

I haven’t seen a box of 35mm film since about 2003 when I finally had access to a decent digital camera. A camera I recently passed to Mary for GCSE Photography. And her lovely tutor sent home the film as he discovered we had a working old fashioned camera.

 Mary took photos as we opened up the case of this beautiful old thing. It was my fathers camera, from my early childhood. My dad took many of our pictures and printed them himself. We lived alongside the enlarger and the chemicals and trays were shelved away from us, and any bulb in the house could be swapped out for red on a dark night.  When I was 18 and doing art A level, the old camera became mine. 

Like riding a bike, I hadn’t forgotten how to load it. The digital camera from 2003 buzzed in Mary’s hands as she documented the process.

Who used empty film canisters to store other things in? I remember going camping with matches stored in one. The Prinzflex M-1 is ready to play. Did I mention it’s a screw mount lens? I have three of them. Where’s my tripod? 

Does anyone know what that little black button near the winder does? I haven’t used it yet! 

Today I made food for a 'bring and share' lunch ...

But if Daisy keeps taking pictures like this, I will soon be out of a job ... or a blog? You can see more of me though ...



This is the girls third session with their birthday camera, and I'm pretty impressed. Of course there are the ones with the thumb over the lens, and the headless people, but photos like this one too, where the subject fills the frame beautifully!



And this is a lovely portrait of 6 year old Matty by her sweet twin :-)

All things are new ...

After digging out a 16MB smart memory card I am able to show you the last thing i made in 2011, this colourful cross for a friend, which is inspired by Mexican alter tables ...



It has an alternative side which might fit in with autumnal times which my special friend so loves :-)



I cleared the kitchen windowsill yesterday, to let in more winter light, and to help give that lovely calm feeling that only a good de-clutter can do! Here is a boat I made at pottery, where me and the girls hung out this autumn, learning about clay!



My girls made all kinds of small sculptures and vessels which the potter showed them how to make, and even though they are quite young, they achieved successfully! We even had a glazing session just before Christmas ... On the bottom shelf is a Marble-run which I made in my foundation year, many moons ago. Would you like to see it working?



Finally at tea time yesterday I dug into a black bag of clothing that we have been blessed with and tightened up some trousers for my petite 5 year olds by sewing in extra elastic, and this chunky heart was cut from a very special but old cardigan of mine to repair a jumper for daisy!


When Mary saw me take up the scissors she said, can you cut knitting? Good question for a 3-year-old! It has been partially felted :-)