5 in 5 - MELANIE October 2013

Now those who follow my posts may know that Melanie is my friend who lives in Australia.  She loves photography and enjoys taking part in this monthly challenge.  There is just one problem. Melanie does not have a blog!  And so each month I post her photos and love that we have found a way for her to take part. 

If you read last months post you may also know that Melanie's daughter had a serious car accident while in Namibia.  Thank you to everyone who posted kind thoughts and wishes. Melanie's daughter was flown back to UK with Melanie as her escort.  She is making a slow but good recovery and Melanie is staying with her until December when hopefully she will be fit enough to manage without a high level of support.  The photos for this months 5 in 5 challenge were taken in UK.  So, over to Melanie:

"After much messing around on the tablet I have a 5 in 5 for October.  Wish I had my PC which I am used to for helping.  However I managed without using helpdesk support to find and install a free app for the tablet to do collages.  My walk for the five in five was on Southampton Common which was a hive of activity.  There were dogs chasing balls, toddlers riding bikes, people out jogging and many more enjoying the Common.  I set out to find a spot where I could take photos of five different bushes with berries.  However in the area I chose I only found four varieties so my fifth photo shows the beautiful blue sky as a background to a dead tree.  I love dead trees and invariably a day out in Oz  with a camera will include a dead eucalyptus tree.  I was so happy to find a dead tree on the common even though it wasn't eucalyptus and it is the centre piece in my 5 in 5".

Thank you Melanie!  I love the theme of berries and if you to find out what other people have posted you can find links and more information about the challenge here. And if you'd like to join in you have until 25th before the link closes! 

5 in 5 - PROJECTS PLANNED October 2013

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of

 each month I post 5 photos that I have

 taken in 5 minutes. 

 

   

These past weeks have been extra busy and despite best effort I have not used opportunities to take photos for this months 5 in 5.  Thoughts of going to the river were dismissed as the weather was dull and cloudy this morning.  And as I chose this challenge in order to extend and practice my skills I decided I might as well take photos around the house instead.  The light is getting poor now that summer is drawing to an end, winter photos always present a challenge for me. Looking around I realised there are some projects planned or underway, so I decided that posting about these might give me the nudge to finish them.  So here they are:

 

A handmade dresser. This has been repositioned and as much as I love this piece I am bored with the pine. I want some light and colour in my life so I plan to paint it. I have yet to decide what colour....

 

The same applies to this table.  It is long loved and it is a bit like Trigger's broom in 'Only Fools and Horses'. The top has been routed and sanded, a drawer fitted underneath, and new legs fitted.  It looks nothing like the original!  And soon it will have another change because this will be painted to match the chairs.

 

These picture frames were an impulsive buy but I loved them. I just need to put my own photos in them now. See the mosaic mirror above?  I have plans for this too.

 

 

The mirror will be added to these and hung on a blank wall to give it more interest and reflective light.  Two of the mirrors are new, the rest have been in our home for a while or been passed through the family. We have one or two others to add to this collection and I'm looking forward to measuring the space.  I might just have to search antique shops or Boot Fairs and but more!

We have also added new shelves and I have been busy reorganising my book collection.  I plan to be ruthless and to pass on some of the books that I will not read again. Some to charity shops, and some to friends.  Others will go to Bookcrossing and I need to get labels printed and set time aside to register them. This all takes time and often the books remain in a pile waiting for attention. So I picked House Detox out and left it prominent as a reminder!

Someone else who uses '5 in 5' to practice her photographic skills is Rinda. I love how she went into detail here about how she did this. It is exciting each month to see how everyone uses different approaches to this challenge. Some use themes, a place or locality, or it could be simply be something fun. And if you like to take part this month you would be VERY welcome! Here is the plan:

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a mobile timer for 5 minutes.

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool.
   You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos. 

 

If you want to know more there are details here.

And one more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your 5 in 5 blog page and be easier for them to find.
  

Thank you to those who have taken part so far. I have loved seeing your photos and hope you will be back with more. 

And don't forget, you have until 25th to post your link!