Studio getting a face lift: October 2013

After watching a few training DVD’s I decided that it’s time that my studio get a face lift. The only problem was I could not afford a contractor so I did most of the work myself.  I made a checklist that what I wanted done in the studio and then I had to decide what is priority right now.

  • Paint studio Brilliant White
  • Windows on opposite sides of studio need to be closed up/ covered
  • Put in shelving for props
  • Showcase more of my own work
  • Flooring for the shooting area

It was a hard decision but Rome was not build in one day so the rest I’ll get done as soon as I have funds for it. I looked for alternative solutions to solve my problems for now.

Here are what the studio looked like during it’s face lift…. I took these photo’s with my Samsung Galaxy Tablet so please excuse the quality of the photo’s.

20131012_140203 20131012_140216 20131012_140231 20131012_14024220131012_140251 20131012_140312 20131012_140317The photo above is the area were I keep all my props. I want to put in some shelving so that I can see all my props. I also want to put some hanging space for my fabrics so that it’s in sight. When it is in a cupboard you tend to forget about it. Out of sight out of mind….  

20131013_112912 20131013_11294320131013_182436 20131013_182451 20131015_120114 20131019_104515

Above is one of the windows I wanted to close up. I bought some hardboard and asked  hubby if he would please help me to close up the window. I wanted to take out the window and close it up with bricks but that was a messy option and if we want to extend the room to the one next door I would have to brake down the wall. So I went for the next best option. Just close it up with hardboard.
20131019_104534 20131019_171326

Above Hubby is busy with the window covering…. This is how things should be done…. Very casual…..

Thank goodness for friends.  Japie and Tanya came to visit and Japie helped hubby with the wall.20131019_195625 20131019_195630 20131019_222339

I was very happy when the wall was in place. Now for the final touches….

20131024_103029 20131024_103154 20131024_103426

20131024_103354

While painting I had an idea. If I cleared out the TV Cabinet I can use it to display my props that’s hidden away. So I cleared out the cabinet and filled it with my props. Now I can see most of my props and can’t forget about it. I moved my camera equipment  out of my office and into the cabinet. Now all my photography equipment is in one place. I am still going to put some shelving up in the corner where the rest of my props are. One can never have too much shelving.
20131024_103255 20131024_103233

I also replaced my puzzles with my work.  As time goes by these photo’s will be update with more of my recent work.

20131024_103212

Well I am very happy with my new wall. I had some extra flooring so I made an second floor that I can move around the studio as needed. When I have the funds I will replace this flooring but for now it must do.

I am very happy with the outcome of the studio. Although I could not do everything I wanted in one go I am happy with what I accomplished. I did most of the work myself and my love and passion went into every drop of paint. 

I would like to thank Ronald, Armand, Lian, Louhn , Renate, Japie and Tanya for helping me. Armand and Lian made sure mom has enough to drink when dad was not around to make the tea. Ronald for building the wall and always supporting me 200% in my photography business.  Louhn and Renate always encouraging me. Japie and Tanya for your help with the final touches in the studio.

Armand’s 25 hour X-Box sleepover party

My oldest  son Armand turned 13 on the 18 April. He decided on a sleepover party. I agreed to it but I was not part of the design of the invitations.

About a week before the party my friend who’s boy was also invited told me that she takes her hat off for me I have allot of guts having 11 boys over from the Friday 16:00 till the Saturday 17:00. Say what???  I called Armand and asked him about the times and he said yes he decided he wants his friends with him the whole day….  Well how bad can it be they will play games eat and drink, eat and drink………. Oh yes and take over my studio….

I decided that I need to lay down some rules for the boys so when they were all present I told them that if they make a mess they will clean it up before they go home the next afternoon.  We only had one accident when a bottle of cool drink fell over and spilled on the one mattress. They asked for a mop and they cleaned up the mess. Then they continued to play games.

Needless to say the aim was to play X-Box for 98% of the time. The boys who had extra remotes brought it with and if you were looking for the majority of the boys  you’ll find them in front of the TV and X Box.

Armand’s brother Lian and two of their mutual friends spend most of their time in front of the computer playing games there.

For supper we made Stokbrood with Sausage in it. The boys really enjoyed this. Only after supper I gave them their goody bags filled with sweets for the two day’s.

At about 3 o’clock Saturday morning I told the boys that  they must settle down… It took them about 15 minutes to fall asleep games must be very hard work….

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

 

Saturday morning at around 7 o’clock when I walked into the studio some of the boys were still sleeping and the others were at it again…

I made flapjacks for breakfast and could not fill up the bowl the boys ate and ate and ate and ate and ate….. At least I knew they had a good steady breakfast for their day of gaming… After all the tummies were filled up there were a few flapjacks left in the bowl.  Every time the boys came to throw in some cool drink they would take one. It did not take them long to polish the leftovers too. For lunch I made hotdogs and just before they left we cut the cake….

That evening around 8 o’clock a few mom’s send me messages firstly all the boys except mine was passed out by then and all of them enjoyed the 25 hour  sleepover party allot….

8 9

Now I have to prepare myself for next year. Lian is turning 13 and he wants the same 25 hour party……

 

Project 365 Photo a day: 365/318 – Day visit to De Hollandsche Molen

HM_1654pj318 HM_1654pj318bw

Project 365 Photo a day: 365/295 – Friends

MM_2468pj295

MM_2468pj295bwYesterday was Michelle’s 21st Birthday Party at Ysterplaat. One of Michelle’s friends asked for a mini photo shoot outside. Lighting was a bit of a problem then I spotted the lamppost. It gave me just enough light to capture these two friends. The wind on the other hand made sure we had lot’s of laughs.

Happy Birthday Michelle , may God bless you on your road forward.

 

Project 365 Photo a day: 365/269 – Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas_0963

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Thank you for your support.  Have a Blessed day.

Project 365 Photo a day: 365/220 – Having fun

 

Project 365 Photo a day: 365/219 – Friends

 

Project 365 Photo a day: 365/6

Still enjoying a lovely breakaway with friends.

Today I wanted t’o share some photo’s of  little Thomas 2 years and 7 months. It took him a few months to warm up to the camera . LOL now he loves the camera and today he even posed for photo’s and then tell’s me to take photo’s and then he comes and sit on my lap and want to see….