This blog is a result of a couple of nights of crafting and it just makes me smile to see how things that are so small can be used for something so great. 

A few weeks ago I posted a picture on my facebook page of the various “nests” that I had made…just as a “hey, this is fun” shot, nothing more. 

 There was an overwhelming response to them along with a great interest for people wanting to purchase them.  I was definitely caught off guard and thought that the only way that I would sell them would be if the money went somewhere of value.  I have heard people, at times, associate the “eggs” with the number of children that they have and so the thought of helping kids was perfect!

One of my close friends, Erin Perry, works closely with fmn ministries and spends a month of her summer holidays in Romania working at the Isaiah Center.  Rachel Ross is an amazing woman who has moved from the United States to Romania and they both have such a passion for these children and this ministry.

The Isaiah Center is located in Tinca, Romania and exists to provide nuturing and education for abandoned, abused, and neglected Roma (gypsy) children.  Through this facility these kids have the opportunity to develop and grow in a loving and secure atmosphere. They are provided daily with education, food, clothing, shelter, love, hygiene and medical treatment.  Furthermore, the families of these children are being worked with and helped as they are provided with parental training and life skills which impact the parents, children and their village in a positive way.  Here are just a few pictures (not taken by me, just watermarked for their safety) of the village and the children….

Please visit the website for more information or further ways to get involved.

As for the necklace pendants, they are all handmade and can be done with specific colors if you desire.  There are large, medium and small beads available.  A picture of the different options is below for your reference.  They are $15 and ALL of this amount is going straight to the Isaiah Center.  Please email orders to info@uncontainedphotography.com

Do you have people in your life that inspires you?  They are the ones that you are excited to spend time with – and when you leave you feel encouraged, inspired and ready to take on anything.  I’m hoping that your answer is “yes” and that you have at least one person like this in your life.

Julie Jones happens to be one of those people to me.  I love it when we get together and have enjoyed working with her SO much! 

She is the beautiful artist that is behind Julie Jones Studio who continues to create original pieces of fine silver jewelry.  Residing in Fort McMurray, Alberta – this is fabulous home grown talent that I know so many of you love to support. How blessed we are to have her in our community!

I absolutely love Julie’s use of textures – her attention to detail – the fact that she is truly uncontained and makes jewelry that is outside of the box – not to mention the fact that she truly is an artist within such a gorgeous medium.   I was like a kid in a candy shop when I photograph these pieces of art for her! 

For those of you who are attending Keyano’s Gala Odyssey in a few weeks, you will want to keep an eye on the above necklace, as it is one of the auction items for that evening.  Oh to the woman who gets to wear this piece!  How lucky you are!   I have a ring and a couple of pairs of earrings and absolutely love them!

I could go on and on – but I will let her work speak for itself.

So thankful to have met you : )

Christine

While in Edmonton I had the opportunity to hang out with Maria and a few of her boot camp ladies as we did a shoot for FitFAMILIEZ.  These ladies did a fantastic job!  If you think that boot camp is hard – you should try boot camp on a photoshoot where you may have to hold various positions longer and do more reps in order to get the desired shot.

If you are wanting to get in shape, Maria is most definitely the woman to call.  She works hard at what she does and not only guides and instructs people through different exercises, but is often doing them with you.  Furthermore, she makes it fun and is continually encouraging and motivating people to go further than they think they can. She is an incredible woman who is passionate about fitness and nutrition and loves pouring into the lives of those around her.  

There is always something new and exciting going on with FitFAMILEZ so please check out their website at www.FitFAMILIEZ.com or their facebook page. 

Just a few of my favorites!

Christine

After the boot camp Maria and I went to the gym to take some more pictures. She does a great job of making working out look good!

I had the privilege of meeting and working with Bev Boman and Cindy Scantland from Royal LePage True North Realty. 

These two wonderful women are realtors here in Fort McMurray…and they are also mother and daughter! 

We had a great time doing this shoot in Cindy’s beautiful home !  Two of the images from this session will be featured in their ad on the back cover of the new CanPages book and one will be used for an upcoming newspaper ad.

Wishing you both all the best!

Christine

“Hi, my name is Christine and I am a flower-a-holic”. Its true. I love them! I never grow tired of giving them, receiving them, picking a bouquet, watching them grow or trying my hand at floral arranging. I have had this addiction since I was a little girl and have no plans of ever attending a FAA (Flower Addiction Anonymous) meeting any time soon!

In 2005, I had the opportunity of creating and organizing a fundraising gala for the Stollery Children’s Hospital called The Masterpiece Gala. Through this amazing event I had the privilege of meeting and working with one of Edmonton’s finest floral artists, Kristi Kingdon of Off Whyte Floral Studio.

With my love for flowers, creativity and people that are passionate about what they do - Kristi quickly became a friend. She played an intricate role in making The Masterpiece Galasimply stunning and I have since witnessed arrangement after bouquet after arrangement of her talent at work that simply is stunning, uncontained and where each piece that she does truly is a work of art.

I had the honor of photographing her store a while ago for a magazine feature that she was chosen for and also got to sneak in a few shots of this beautiful woman while I was there!

Kristi, you never cease to amaze me with your talent and abilities!

One of your many fans!
Christine

Perhaps some of you have seen what I lovingly refer to as the “uncontained-mobile” on the streets…or in the ditch…or randomly in a parking lot. It has been one of my latest projects and on one dark Wednesday night not too long ago my precious Jeep Patriot underwent its facelift thanks to Janet at Signs by Janet. It was a simple procedure really and Janet quietly talked both myself and my Jeep through the process in a calm and pleasant voice. I am thrilled to report that the Jeep is now recovering quite nicely!

I am just joking! …it was simply far from painful working with Janet! In fact it was fantastic and just added to the excitement of this next step in the facelift process!

I am now contemplating buying a fleet of vehicles just so that I can go back and see her!

Janet – you are the best!!

Christine