time to relax...

...I've found the perfect spot to do it - Whispering Vines Cafe in Dromana, great food with a stunning outlook and a seriously fantastic fit-out  I was there a little early in the day to sample the produce from the vines however I am sure to return for lunch some time soon.

Thanks for all of your support in 2012, have a safe and happy New Years Eve and I look forward to bringing you more in 2013.

janis xx

Oh and I'll be at the following Markets early next year........

Red Hill - Saturday January 5th - www.craftmarkets.com.au

Emu Plains Balnarring - Saturday January 19th - www.emuplainsmarket.com.au

done & dusted...

I do honestly love everything about Christmas including all of the fuss and preparations for the big day, however what I love more is that feeling you get waking up on Boxing Day morning to know that it is done & dusted for another year, that the craziness that comes with December is behind us and that we can now really start to enjoy Summer.

commissioned...

I'm currently working on a private commission where I am to capture a particular stretch of beach at various times of the day with varying levels of light. 

During these busy days before Christmas it has been the perfect project to ensure that I slow down a little.

I hope you are all enjoying the crazy lead up xx

to market, to market...

Yay, the first Emu Plains Market is on this weekend, refreshed and revamped by my gorgeous friend Ness (I'm not sure that she sleeps) it's sure to be an fabulous day out featuring an amazing range of talented makers, growers, creators and the like. I'll be there with a stall so pop by and say Hi xx

www.emuplainsmarket.com.au

a good start...

a run, a play at the beach and a coffee at the store, what a great start to the weekend...

seasons eatings...

Well the tree is up, the treasured heirloom Nativity Scene is on display and last night after a late evening of celebrations we even went looking for some Christmas lights (my mother in-law will be thrilled to hear that with the little one in tow I finally get the thrill of finding Christmas lights).

I have officially starting gifting this years seasonal eats and whilst I'm not straying too far from the standard xmas cake and cookies....this year the cookie baking is been left to those who receive their well presented ingredients, fresh is always best I say (and it saves me some time)! 

Dec 6th...

where on earth did December and it's action packed weeks with fun filled weekends come from?

I'm sure it was only August yesterday and I'm sure that I say the same thing each year.....hope you are enjoying this busy festive period.

wedding season...

Here's little pic from a wedding I photographed on the weekend. At this point the bride was preparing to walk down the path to meet her groom for the ceremony. Waiting for her parents to accompany her for the walk she gripped on to that bouquet as tight as she could and took the deepest of breaths. 

I seriously don't think that I will ever tire of photographing weddings, capturing the love & emotion together with the amazing detailing of a bride and grooms special day is something I consider to be a privilege and I'm thrilled to have a calendar full of them this season. 

it's getting closer...

Just a fun little pic from a photo shoot I had recently for my Janis House Photography Christmas cards for this year - oh I'm sure you can image the state of my kitchen after these little helpers were in there. 

I look forward to sharing the festive pics with you soon.

swinging at the studio...

...this morning we had the tough choice of either staying at home and attending to some long overdue domestic duties or visiting the well known Christmas at the Studio boutique market - I am sure you can guess what one!

something sydney...

It's no secret that I love a weekend getaway to sydney, the food, the harbour, the rocks and shops are always on my to do list and I've just had the most fantastic few days there.

With every visit I just have to stop by and admire the Opera House, something I think everyone should do is the behind the scenes tour there - amazing! 

This visit saw me cross three things off from my must do in Sydney list, climbing the bridge, visiting the Eveleigh markets and dining at Billy Kwong. All were fabulous especially the much anticipated experience at Billy Kwong! 

...and if I were ever to move to Sydney the fine food store at the Rocks would surely have to become my local coffee shop. With fantastic provisions, superb coffee and oh so friendly staff all set in a super stylish setting I was a happy little visitor having this gem at our doorstep.

...oh I hope so...

On my way to a family christening looking my very Sydney best xx

blessed...

oh yes I am busy, in fact I would say crazy busy but busy with fabulous things, social events, work and the like. Through these busy times and always I feel blessed to have a super cool assistant by my side. She's always ready to help me on a photo shoot, to aid me in the kitchen or to have a poodle with me at the shops. I'm all too aware that the end of this year is drawing near and with that comes the commencement of her primary school years. I know she's ready and I know she'll love it but I also know that it just won't be the same xx

I'm sure this comes as no surprise...

...but yes, the end of the year is drawing near so it's time for me to talk about my 2013 calendar. 

Gorgeously compact at 5 x 7 inches in size and held together with a magnetic bulldog clip ready for the fridge or office they are perfect for posting, ideal for gifting and well...... I think they are just simply divine - $25 each, contact me to order.  

OK, that's enough shameless self promotion, I hope to see you at Red Hill Market tomorrow, stop by and say Hi if you make it along! 

oh you would be crazy...

...if you didn't love the lawn daisy xx

the fun of the fair...

...so this picture is nothing ground breaking, it was just snapped casually on my phone without any set up or great thought however to me today it means so much. 

Today was the Somers Arts Fair and whilst the event itself was fantastic on so many levels the one thing that stood out above all (even the yummy wine) was the fabulous sense of community that was experienced.

The 6 hours of music, activities, art admiring (and some selling) went by so fast as we were talking, catching up with friends old and new and having so much fun that before we knew it the day had been run. 

This pic is of my little one and her bestie who are growing up in a community I am thrilled to call home. 

Somers Arts Fair...

...I may have completely forgotten to mention that this weekend is the Somers Arts Fair - Sunday the 28th - 10am to 4pm - Somers Primary School, Camp Hill Rd. Somers. 

I have entered 3 pieces for the main exhibition and can't wait to walk into the hall on Sunday morning to see the works from all of the participating artists. Pop along for a great family day out and bring along some sunshine! 

itchy-um...

...ok so it's not what they are really called but after years of working with Echiums in the nursery I gave them this name as when propagating them on even a slightly warm day they would make my skin go crazy. 

Although I am in no hurry to propagate them again any time soon I do love the gorgeous flowers that they are presenting us with right now. 

These ones were captured on a quick trip to Heronswood this morning. 

good times...

 It's no secret that I love to play hostess, I gain much enjoyment from the planning and execution of the simplest of get-togethers and look for any excuse for throwing one together.

Yesterday saw the transformation of our place to a sea of pink for an afternoon tea fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness. Pink food, pink flowers and of course pink bubbly were the order of the day together with plenty of laughter, conversation and relaxation. 

Thanks for a great day ladies xx

two...

two girls

two pink buckets

two hours of beach exploring

too perfect! 

come back sunshine...

I'm sure it was out at some stage this week, I just wish it would come back again soon.  

With a little nod to the coming warmer weather I have had a play around at home with some of my favorite bits and pieces, moving a few things around and hope that it may just encourage back the beach visiting weather.

That little glass jar between the in middle there, well it houses my one and only piece of found sea-glass  I am hoping to add a few more pieces to it soon. 

A quick trip to Red Hill Market this morning (I will back there with a stall next month) and I just had to pick up this little Short Headed Seashore watercolour by Lyn Lewis - the perfect friend for our much loved Weedy Sea-Dragon by the same artist. 

all you need is...

for those I love xx

Half Time Heros...

Well the sun came out for a spot of half time hero action during todays AFL Grand Final. 

I am happy to report of no injuries but just a fabulous day filled with food, friends, a football shaped pinata and even a little bit of dancing!  

Save The Date(s)

Yay - I can finally share with you the exciting news....our community will be getting a new market and yes I will be there!

The Emu Plains Market will be held on the third Saturday of each month starting in December - just in time for Christmas. It will be an amazing mix of craft, vintage and gourmet delights and the best part is......it's just up the road (well for most of us).

www.emuplainsmarket.com.au 

so excited!

I am so excited but I can't tell you why!

These pics are from a recent photo shoot I conducted locally....who, what, where & why they are about I will be able to share with you oh so soon......I can't wait as it is truly fabulous! 

it's not...

 ...what I was supposed to be capturing but I'm sure you can see why I became a little distracted... 

my love of Etsy...

...you may have noticed in the right hand column of this blog the little note about visiting my store on Etsy. After many requests about online sales I have taken the step and set up a store on Etsy selling images from the blog including the ever popular street signs. I have started with just listing a few pieces on there and will add to it over the coming weeks. Just one size has been listed, the smaller of the two sizes of the Ready to Frames I take to the market - 8 x 10 inch. Larger sizes and alternative print options can be arranged upon request. 

www.etsy.com/shop/JHousePhotography

treasure...

There is someone near and dear to me who is having a fairly major tidy up at the minute and in doing so has uncovered some treasure in the form of old vintage cameras and other bits of photographic equipment. 

Destined for recycling I just had to snap them up and have a play, their sturdy bodys and easy to use mechanics are simply divine and their tough leather cases display wrinkles of time. As I play around I wonder about the images that they have captured over the years and also where they have been taken and on what special occasions or holidays they were used.

These won't be heading to landfill any time soon (at all), I'm going to play some more, perhaps even put a roll of film through some and well the super old and obscure may even end of on my office shelf. I don't know anything about vintage cameras but plan to find out more. 

Thanks - you know who you are! 

a little early...

...clearly spring means summer to the feisty yet fabulous one who insisted on a quick dip after pre-school today. As I sat on the beach and watched her play I had one of these OMG moments when I realised that I was watching was indeed a mini version of me, carefree and with a wild imagination she could have played there for hours. Bring on the warmer weather!