p52 | here doggie

I love this little boy. He is the cutest of the super cute. He wasn't all too interested in having his picture taken, he kept following me when I backed up to set the shot up right, but somehow it didn't really matter because he is so sweet.

New projects for the new year

Alright, so I have to admit that I'm not really in the mindset of "new" and fresh starts yet. I guess I'm still lingering with reviewing the past year and processing it a little. We spent last night discussing favourites of 2010; everything from highlights and favourite moments to best songs and favourite purchased items. I guess I have needed to be done with the old before I could start thinking about the new.

But then today I surfed some of my fave blogs while lounging on the sofa and found something really interesting. Peppermint Granberg of One Little Bird Designs is doing a project with Christine of Listgirl called New52. So what is this new project then you ask? Ah, little cricket, go check it out!

What I like about this project is that it focuses on actually doing something rather than just documenting whatever happens. It will enrich life as new things will happen every week. Like Peppermint and Christine explains it can be small things as well as big huge things. No rules, really. With my life having been centered very much around work (day job) and designing in 2010, I haven't really gone above and beyond to grow personally (apart from the two above huge challenges) and I certainly feel that I need to have a more wellrounded balance to cope with the workload and to feel creative and happy.

So I think I will have to give this project some thought. I might very well join them in this.

I will, I am quite sure, continue doing P52 but I also think that if I do jump on the bandwagon of New52 they kind of go hand in hand. I can choose to just take photos of whatever new thing of the week and then compile it into a book as usual.

In August we attended a wedding and the wedding photographer took a really great photo of us, and I cherish it because there are very few shots of us together. And then I saw a really cool thing the other week that got my juices flowing; a single scrap layout . I very, very rarely have my picture taken. This is for one single reason; I hate it. Ha! But this layout, with it's concept is cool. A portrait for each month. My thought was that it would be cool to have a shot of us each month of 2011. What I'll make of it in the end I don't really know, but I think I will try to talk the husband into doing this with me.

So that's it. New projects for the new year. Have you started thinking about doing some kind of project this year? If so, would you care to share?

Have a happy new year everyone!

Project 52 update

I had an impromptu mini photo shoot yesterday which turned out very nicely indeed. Despite no props, the wrong lens, and a fleeting light, we got some pretty lovely shots. One of them gets to be photo of the week.
Beware all baby lovers, this will make you swoon.

#28, 2010


I am working on three different projects right now that I really need/want to finish within a couple of days so it's focus mode around here.

Well, at least I am trying to be in focus mode, lol. There are just so many distractions! Ha!

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Photo dump (including P52)

Yesterday I took a walk around our neighbourhood to enjoy the lovely weather and to get away from the computer for a while. I desperately needed a breather and this walk did the trick!

Just a few minutes away from our house there is a nursery and they always have the loveliest flowers in their garden. They usually keep to a theme and the impact is impressive. Right now it's blue and purple pansies everywhere. Here's one corner of the garden.


On my way back I caught a glimpse of an old flower pot in someone's garden and it intrigued me. It was broken but I still thought it was beautiful.


And then I saw an old tree that was hit by lightning and liked the structure of the bark.


Today's high point was sitting outside, reading magazines and drinking chai latte while waiting for the washing machine to finish its cycle.


Yes, I read MSW. Yes, I have been married since 2001. Yes, it's my favourite mag in the world. :D

And then to this week's P52. I took it yesterday while on my walk. The cherry blossoms are almost about to burst. I think I will come back again next week and see the difference.


I'll be back tomorrow with a new product and some inspiration layouts by the JessicaSprague.com CT. Have a nice remainder of this glorious Sunday.

Project 52+

I think I am finally getting back to being excited about photography again. I have just been blah about it for a while.

#15, 2010
This week's P52 photo was taken yesterday when my brother in law and our nephew came over to have dinner and watch football. There was a whole arsenal of "Cars" displayed on the back of our sofa. Very cute.







Today we went shopping for some new lavendar, remember last year's died during the winter, some herbs and perhaps also some tomato plants. We came home with none of that. Go figure. But we did get some flowers for the porch. I think it turned out quite lovely.

Growing up

This little guy wants to become a zucchini when he grows up


We started the pre season growing in our kitchen windows last week. To date two little plants have come up and I replanted them yesterday. I think they are awfully darling!

Project 52 - three weeks' worth

It's been a while since I posted a P52 photo so I think it's high time.

#10, 2010
We both love a good glass of wine with dinner on the weekends and browsing through the aisles of the shop looking for something new is always fun. This week we came home with three bottles. As a sidenote: The middle one was fantastic.


#11, 2010
Our godchildren stayed with us this weekend and I took the bowling on Saturday. Turned out they were a lot better at it than I was, lol.


#12, 2010
The football season premiere was this week and of course we had to be there. The support group had made 10 000 blue and white flags that were placed all over the stadium and right before the game started, when the team hymn was played everyone waved the flags. Pretty cool. I love tifo!

Project 52 weeks 6 to 8

My camera has been a silent companion in the last couple of weeks. I have carried it with me almost every day but to be honest I haven't really had any interest or will to pick it up and use it. I think the funk over the computer somehow moved over to every other creative aspects of my daily life. But I have dutifully kept up with the project photos. After seeing the finished product of last year I'd be damned to miss out after only a few weeks into the new year.

#06, 2010
I got these baby cupcakes for Valentine's. It's not a huge thing in our household but I thought they were so cute.


#07, 2010
I cannot remember when we had a winter like this last. We've had snow since mid December and even though it's finally starting to melt away now, it was still abundant two weeks ago.


#08, 2010
My beautiful sister on her 26th birthday yesterday.


Tomorrow I'll share a collaborative piece of art and the card and present I made for my sister. Now I need to hit the sack as I have a taxi picking me up at 5.30 am tomorrow morning for yet another business trip.

Project 52 - delish dish

This week's photo is today's lunch that had me oohing and aahing. As some of you might now, my husband is a chef and he spoils me rotten with delicious food. I wish that my photos could convey how good his food really is. I guess that is partly why I have such a big interest in food photography.

#5, 2010


Today the lunch consisted of a soup of sunchoke (or Jerusalem artichoke) and crostini with mushroom and prosciutto.


And not to disappoint, dinner tonight will be grilled lamb chops and baked veggies.
I know, I live a good life!

Oh, and the P53 photobook arrived from Shutterfly on Friday. Oh the joy! I was in heaven all Friday night, and kept looking through it. I am so glad I decided to do this project. If you still haven't started and if you are on the fence, all I can say is whip that camera out and get started!

Super cute P52

We are moving into our third month of crazy winter weather with lots of snow and today we finally did something more than just shovel it around and off the driveway. We went with my husband's brother and his family to a hill not far from our house and played in the snow, sliding down the hill, and then ended the outing with hot dogs and hot cocoa. I shot this of my nephew right there in the snow.

#4, 2010


I am almost caught up with everything I set out to do a week ago. I still have the wordart for the P365 templates to put up. It will come soon, I promise.

I got a question about a different version of the wordart in the Valentine's card and I will try to get that done in the coming week  as well.

Oh, and I have also had a few questions about the scripty font of my recent wordarts. It's a font called Satisfaction. I purchaced it from My Fonts.  Just beware of that website though, you will want to spend way more money than can be considered reasonable. LOL!

My Project 53 featured at Shutterfly

I discovered today thanks to a comment to my book, that the Project 53 book is featured at the community home page at Shutterfly. Pretty cool!

Finishing up the project and ringing in the new year

 last night was officially the last day of my first ever Project 52 and how appropriate that it was also the day of my last photo for said project.

Instead of fireworks my husband got a set of Khom Loy lanterns which we released right around the strike of twelve. It was freezing cold last night but completely clear skies so we could follow them going higher and higher in the sky for the longest time. It was so beautiful and something we will definitely do again.

#53, 2009


After this we toasted the new year with champagne and I tried my best to hold still (not easy when you're in a short skirt and stillettos and it's freezing cold) so that I could get some decent shots of all the fireworks going off around us. I had contemplated bringing the tripod but decided it was too much hassle at midnight after a couple of drinks. So the outcome wasn't perfect but will have to do.



















I hope you all had a wonderful night and I am wishing you all a very happy new year!

Project 52, now officially Project 53 at Shutterfly

I had some minor disputes with the software at Shutterfly.com byt finally got my book finished (save for the last photo of the year).

If you are interested, here it is! I am so proud of the fact that I have finished the book, that I have committed to something and not quit half way through. And I hope that it will be something that is cherished for years to come.
Click here

Project 52, second to last

My second to last photo for Project 52 (yeah, this is the 52nd photo but as I said there will be 53 photos for me as there are 53 weeks this year) was taken right after the 23rd turned into Christmas Eve. Of course it's my tree. I cannot tell you how much I love my tree.

#52, 2009


I just finished the cover for my Project 52 book and will start uploading the photos in the coming days. I am so excited about getting my hands on the finished book.

(and speaking about books, I still have not finished my book about our Milan trip back in *ghasp* March'gotta get on that right away)

Now, I have been debating if I should continue doing the weekly photo thing next year. As of right now I am leaning towards yes. I have a couple of days to make my mind up.

A snowed in Project 52

It has been snowing non stop here since Tuesday night and everything is very white. It's so pretty when the snow lays like a blanket over everything.

A few weeks ago I wrapped a string of lights around two boxwood plants in our front garden and I had to take a photo of them last night when I came home from work because I just love the glow from the lights under the snow cover.
#51, 2009


I noticed that this year actually has 53 weeks so with that I have two more photos to go before I can wrap this project up. I have plans on making a photo book out of the photos. I will definitely share the link when it's done.

Project 52 all wrapped up

With Christmas just around the corner my photo this week is all about the holiday. I have been working on getting all our gifts wrapped every night this week. I am happy to say that I am almost finished with just a few small ones left to wrap.

I always have a distinct theme for the gifts (no surprise there, eh) and this year I went with red, white, and silver. Looks good because it matches the tree. :)

#50, 2009


Here are some more photos of what is hiding under the tree, about a third of the lot.

A glowing Project 52

I love December because of the light. Now, living in Sweden where it's dark when I leave for work, and it's dark again when I go back home (and to be honest it's grey and dreary in between), that statement might sound a little odd to you. But the decorations that go up in December makes everything all the better. I love our home, but I love it even more around Christmas. And in town they put up lights everywhere and the twinkle is so pretty. I just like it.

#49, 2009
I took this photo on my way to the bus on Friday night. the icy cold wind was beating my face making tears roll down my cheeks but I still had a smile on my face because oh, these trees are so lovely.

Project 52 in advent

So this is the 48th installment of Project 52. There are only four more photos to take this year. Wow. It feels like the year has gone by so fast, but when I look in my project folder I realize so much has happened this year. This is, in my mind, the best thing about photography; so many memories that are preserved.

#48, 2009
It's the first Sunday in Advent today and we had the first candle lit while we had breakfast this morning.


And here's the whole thing


This week I have been working hard on a really fun project. I came out lovely and as soon as it is possible I will share it here with you. It is top secret right now but I am so excited about sharing!

And then today I started working on my Christmas cards. I know, in the nick of time, right? Well, I got six of them under my belt today and I think I will be able to finish in a couple of days. I usually do different designs for each card but this year I decided to be kind on myself and do the same design on all of them. Such a good decision too. I just had to let go of that Type A personality need to always do too much and too perfect. :p Anyway, I got a stack of Christmas papers from My Minds Eye designed by Jen Wilson and they are gorgeous. So that makes everything much easier and pleasant. As soon as they are finished and sent off I will post them here.

Other than that, I have enjoyed the weekend thoroughly with my husband, shopping for our first Christmas present this year, decorating the house, eating good food and drinking good wine, watching mob films on the DVD, and cheering on our teams in the Italian and Spanish football leagues. I hope everyone has had an equally good weekend. Much love.

Project 52

It's been a whirlwind of a few weeks. I have been working very hard at my regular job as well as on some creative stuff that I will be able to share very soon (I hope).

Let's start with two Project 52 photos right now.

#46, 2009
Last week I went to Stockholm with parts of my family to see Eros Ramazotti in concert. I don't have any photos of that, however much I would have wanted to, as my camera was taken away from me when we got to the arena (and yes, I did flip out for a while there). So a photo from central Stockholm will have to do.


#47, 2009
Johan and I celebrated our 8th anniversary on Tuesday and I got him this rose. It's still as pretty as when I picked it up late Monday night. Amazing.

Project 52, my new boyfriend

LOL, well perhaps not quite ...

#45, 2009