Johnston's Journal

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

1st Shot at Elements!

For my birthday this year, I pooled my gift money together (from my husband, parents & in-laws) and got myself a nice new Canon Camera XS!! I’ve slowly been getting adjusted to using it. It definitely is NOT the most advanced model that you can get but it does the trick (and was on sale at Staples for such a good price, it was hard to resist). I can always upgrade my shots by purchasing better lenses. However, one must be patient before any of that happens … & actually save up some money to do so, HA.

In the meantime, I am snapping pics whenever possible & now … have attempted to edit them. I have downloaded Photoshop Elements 10 (Trial Version) to see how I like it. If I can get the hang of it and figure out how to properly edit pictures, I am definitely going to purchase it after my trial version is up. I wanted to show my first attempt at using Photoshop Elements with pictures I’ve worked on tonight.

I should add :::: I also had a bit of help
with a link I found on Pinterest (link below pictures)

(Follow me on Pinterest here)

4 Easy Tips for Photoshop Techniques to make your pictures pop

So my attempt to edit the picture below - might be really terrible for some of you more advanced Photographers … but I must admit, I think its not too shabby for a first timer.

Anyways, please let me know your thoughts & tips if you are Pro/Master editor yourself or if you are someone whom may have found themselves exactly in the same starting place where I currently am now…

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear from you!!! : )

So here goes…

Before …

With fancy logo/signature …

After editing (Easy Blur)

Thoughts/Tips?!? :)

I can totally handle constructive criticism…

Sheila xox

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Ring Bling Linkup!

Linking up with Happiness is …

This link-up was such a wonderful idea.

It came at a particular good time for C Mae over at Happiness is,
considering she just recently got engaged
(congratulations you lucky girl, so happy for you!!) …

When I saw C Mae’s link-up idea, I immediately thought this would be an excellent way for me to get my blog out there to others. I am still in the process of getting into the routine of writing often but it is so hard when you think no one is even reading them … I know what you are all thinking:

‘Boo hoo … Cry me a river!’ I know…

I really should stop feeling sorry for myself. I know that it takes a while to gain more readers & followers. One must be patient & stay positive! …What better way to spread some blog love by linking up with other wonderful bloggies.

If I were a more experienced blogger …
this is when I would re-direct you to my ‘engagement story’ …
but I didn’t get around to writing one yet.
So what better time than now! ….
Here goes:

**********************************************************************************************

My proposal was an amazing surprise! ...

I had no idea my husband was going to propose ..
it was a total shock (a ridiculously good one at that)!

It was the 2nd of October (2010) as I woke up that Saturday morning for my first university class for my Masters in Education. Later that day, my hubby (boyfriend at the time ..hehe), had asked me to attend a football high school staff lunch-in with their significant others. I, of course, said yes. I asked him that morning while I was getting ready what the dress code was and he said casual
(as he was trying not to give anything away) ..

I left for class and Ryan dropped me off at the university so that he could pick me up afterwards, that way we would only have one car. He picked me up at noon. The lunch-in was only starting around 2pm, so we had some time to kill.

We decided to go for a wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Wineries in Moncton, NB
and then later went to the Zoo to feed the ducks and check out some of gift shops
(which was hilarious because it was definitely after-season
& the shops were totally empty).

The afternoon had turned out so nicely.
I commented as to how the little 'date' afternoon turned out to
so lovely & was totally unexpected.

Finally, we arrived at the lunch-in which hubby had planned/booked (for his high school football staff) at the B&B we always go to for all our family suppers/gatherings for special occasions or holidays. We were the first ones to arrive
(which I didn’t even think was odd)
but the chef told us she was busy in the kitchen getting things prepared
and that we should just make ourselves at home until the others arrived.

Acting as though he had some time to kill, Ryan went upstairs to check out the bedrooms (which I have already seen numerous times). All of a sudden, he yelled out to me and told me I should come up stairs to 'Check something out'. I had no idea what he possibly could be showing me as I have already seen the bedrooms.
Little did I know that this was waiting for me ….

I walked in the room and there he was standing with the ring, flowers on the bed, a card on the night stand and champagne bottle as well. I was THRILLED! I was so shocked and so excited .. as tears of joy ran down my face. I asked him if he was serious (ha ha) and he of course said 'yes'! .. He finally gained enough courage to actually asked me to marry him and we enjoyed a glass of champagne before heading home.

On the drive home, he mentioned we had to change because we were getting professional pictures taken with a friend of his to capture the moment. After the photo shoot, my parents had a private dinner planned for us and my family.

We finally arrived home, and to my surprise all our family & friends were waiting for us there for a Surprise Potluck/Engagement Party for me/us
- all planned by my amazing husband.

It was the most perfect day ever!!! One that I will never forget…

My ring:

is a Round Brilliant 1.2 carat diamond
I have a white gold band.

We were engaged for 10 months & got married on
August 13th, 2011 in Moncton, N.B.

See below …

My poor husband had a difficult time putting my band because I was SO warm and my fingers were a tad bit swollen. It was a very HOT summer day! We couldn’t help but laugh … such a funny moment.

(A shout-out to my amazing photographers TFL Studios!)

Et Voilà, my amazing engagement ring paired with my lovely wedding band. Love them. They are with me at all times, I never take them off!

Link up with Happiness is
and show off your ring bling!

Sheila xox

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Rugby Family Secret Santa 2011!

Oh … & the tradition lives on … Every Christmas (or just about), I get together with a few of my really close rugby girl friends to have a Secret Santa Gift Exchange. Some years we have included a sleepover while a potluck is ALWAYS a MUST!

This year it seemed to be very crazy to try and plan for an evening where everybody would be able to attend. Two of the gals live a distance away which makes it hard for them to come. We were able to plan it for a week-night even though in the end those two ladies were not able to come (one of them at the last minute due to a death in the family – I’m still thinking & praying for your fam MB).

We went ahead and had our potluck/gift exchange a couple nights ago & it was tons of fun. It is always nice to get together with these ladies especially for the holidays. Here are some pictures from our amazing night together…

This is Channy (my BFF & MOH. I get to be her MOH next summer!!!!!) .. & her famous apple cider.

One of my FB status updates had been how Cheese balls are my favorite thing at Christmas time & my friend Kimmy had surprised me with a Cheese ball mix!! I accidentally forgot it at her place but can’t wait to try it when I get it back.

Channy texting away. I’m not sure if this is when she found out that her fiancé Kevin had a ginormous gift waiting for her at their condo. Channy isn’t the best with surprises … she is fine if it’s a surprise that is given to her on the spot but if she has to wait, it’s a killer!

This is my friend Jen. She is the proud mama of a beautiful little girl and twin boys. She is definitely happy to be out & about this fine evening. Socializing isn’t something she can do often so when it happens, she enjoys to the max (just watch her mad ‘Just Dance 3’ moves later in the post …

Meet Kitty. Innocent, yet not so innocent.

Check out my best friend’s mad wrapping skills below. This year’s theme was singed paper! I’m totally pinning this to pinterest for sure.

This was for one of my friend’s that could not attend. Not by choice might I add. We missed you MB! xoxox

Check out my friend Kim’s amazing tree topper. She thought the beads didn’t look so great around the tree and had no topper. Problem solved.

To the right, a Christmas present from Kathy! Thank you : )

My friend Sylvie coming in from a storm?! HAHA. No, she actually lives close by to my friend Kim & just walked over.

Kimmy posin’ up a storm!

The introduction of the hat! Kim was showing us some of her products from her new hobby & Sylvie absolutely loved this hat that Kim made. She loved it so much Kim gave it to her! She’s just cute as a button wearing it!

Her current project …

Grrrrr …. lol

Let the games begin!

Cleavage shot for my bestie (who thinks she has no boobs) ! ; )

Gift opening begins. Chantel was obviously first. She couldn’t contain her excitement. Kim got her a beautiful belt from Danier. It was so ‘Channy’. (I forgot to add that everyone had to wear the hat while opening gifts which was hilarious)