Best in Show... {event}

If you went along to the Albany Show this year, you'll no doubt have seen this amazing display.  The judges agree with me - they gave it first place!

With just one weeks’ notice, Hamish & Sam of SMASH Creations built this eye-catching display (three days planning, three days building) for Albany Solar.   

Their brief was open to their interpretation which meant their creative juices could really flow!  They came up with an environmentally friendly design that was in keeping with both the business & industry as a whole.  Incredibly,  the bulk of the display was  constructed  from recycled pallets and cardboard - in fact, 95% of the display came from the "rubbish" at Albany Solar. 

I suspect SMASH Creations will be in BIG demand for next year's show displays, judging from the reaction of the general public!

PS You may have seen a previous post from another of SMASH Creations' events on this blog...

Sweet treats... {Events}

Here's a couple of quick ones taken of the decadent dessert table at a farewell for a highly-valued retiring staff member.  This function was styled by Michelle Dayman Events, and held at the Great Southern Distilling Company.  These divine cupcakes were baked by Cake Creations by Mel.  I'm sure these sweet treats didn't last long - glad I shot them early!

Ports WA Conference '11 {event}

Albany hosted the 25th Biennial Ports WA Conference at the Albany Entertainment Centre on the foreshore of Princess Royal Harbour from 11 to 13 May.

But it was the amazing social events held at various habour venues that were the "talk of the town".  These major productions hosted by the Albany Port Authority and coordinated by Ellen Milne along with the creative duo of SMASH Creation, were on a level I've never before seen in Albany. In fact, veral conference attendees commented that it was of international standard!

Lets hope this is a sign of things to come!  Well done to everyone involved.

Very impressive!

Gillian Woods performing the most impressive "Welcome to Country" I've ever witnessed.

Mike Hyder at the entrance taking a breather before guests arrive

Yes Annette, I can see you!

Albany's Artists in Residence at the Entertainment Centre

Sam's signature flowers

One half of the dynamic SMASH duo

There's a story about these fish and their predecessors! We can all laugh about it now :}

Albany's very talented singer / songwriter Simone Keane - a mermaid's call.  Hauntingly beautiful.

 

Couple of friendly local faces... hi guys!

Albany's Biggest Morning Tea

Congratulations to the Committee of this year's very successful Biggest Morning Tea here is Albany! There are certainly a few waistlines in Albany that were given a helping hand on Thursday.

Delicious!  See for yourself in this slideshow.

A Million Paws {event}

Such a fantastic annual event - one that I always look forward to.  

The main purpose of the RSPCA's A Million Paws Walk is raise funds to all them to find shelter for over 144,000 animals annually in need.

Each year, in Western Australia alone, the RSPCA investigates more than 10,000 animal welfare complaints and calls.

I hope you enjoy this slideshow of Albany's event, held at Middleton Beach this morning.

Albany RSPCA's A Million Paws Walk, 2011 from Krysta Guille Photography on Vimeo.

Mummy + Me Mini-Session...

Do your photos albums look like mine?  Is it as though you were never even on that family holiday, or at that family gathering?

Here's a mother's day treat idea for mums like me!   Time to end the "always-behind-the-camera-never-in-front-of-the-camera" blues & have some pics with your babies (because, lets face it, they are your babies no matter how old they are!) 

Time to drop some hints to the kids... or hubby!

The mini-sessions are suitable for one adult with kids.  Vouchers are also available for regular family portrait sessions as Mothers Day gifts if you'd prefer some with the whole family. 

Getting into Paperartzi'11...

Every two years, Albany is treated to a very unique event - Paperartzi.  Paperartzi is about contemporary art which uses paper as an ingredient or inspiration.

If you haven't had a good look at the fabulous exhibitions that are part of Paperartzi'11, then make sure you do this week before it all over - March 20th is the last day.  Shopfronts, cafes & outdoor spaces in Albany’s CBD are filled with amazing paper creations, & more exhibitions are showing in the Albany Town Hall &Vancouver Arts Centre.  Here are some of the highlights for me so far...

On the long weekend, Albany was alive with to some paper-suited street performers as part of the Paperartzi event. 

Sue Codee's beautiful paper-cut creation - "Miss Melville and Mrs Clarence" is displayed in Ricarda's window.

Kerrie Argent is currently working her way through that pile of paper you can see in the background - making her own paper (with some help from visiting school groups this week).

Beth Kirkland explored the mark-making possibilities of honey & spices in a live action drawing performance in the laneway next to Southern Sound, York Street over the long weekend.

Jillian Green's Paper Chant is displayed in the Classical Music Shop window.

Paperartzi'11 coordinator Annette Davis hard at work in the Albany Town Hall.

Indra Geidans' template "From cloth to rag" is in the window of The Singing Tree.

This amazing creation, "Nature's Lace" is by Tania Spencer and can be found in the Town Hall.

The organiser of the event, NewArts(Inc), is a not-for-profit group comprising artists and arts supporters in the Albany area. Its vision is “To promote and encourage the exposure and accessibility of contemporary art to the community of Albany and the Great Southern Region.”

Artists this year have included: Kerri Argent (Lake Grace), Sue Codee (Albany), Ann Copeman (Albany), Jenny Crisp (Albany), Peta Davies (Albany), Victoria Eyre (Albany), Indra Geidans (Torbay), Jillian Green (Kentdale), Beth Kirkland (Albany), Bo Laidler (Albany), Judith Lambert (Albany), Margaret Sanders (South Australia), Helen Seivers (Capel), Marina Troitsky (Busselton), Tania Spencer (Lake Grace), Holly Story (Perth), Kati Thamo (Albany) and Trish Ware (Albany).

Classy ladies...

Casual ... Classic ... Classy

They are the three C's that sum up Shantilly's Boutique - and these two ladies, and their swag of gorgeous catwalk model.

On Wednesday night, Kim & Sharlene, along with Kylie from Morgan Annie - All Natural Make-Up  hosted a fashion parade featuring the Winter 2011 goodies.  Check out the video if you missed this hot event!

Roll up, roll up...

The circus came to the party for these two nine-year-olds! 

Businesses I Adore ... Michelle Dayman Events

This is Michelle.

They say there are two sorts of people; the talkers & the do-ers.  Michelle is a do-er!  In fact I sometime wonder how she does so much! 

Michelle has taken her years of experience behind the scenes at weddings & recently launched her own wedding coordinator business.  And if I was a bride, I would be considering myself very lucky to have Michelle by my side. Full disclosure - I've had Michelle by my side working on various projects over the years, so I'm speaking from experience.  But check out this blog post, where I let Michelle speak for herself!

So, tell us a little bit about Michelle Dayman Events?

MDE is my newest challenge, love and addiction over and above my day to day role in Events at the City of Albany.

It has always been a dream to run my own weddings and events company and Michelle Dayman Events sees the realisation of this.  The tag-line Events.Weddings.Occasions sums up the services I can offer; exquisitely planned weddings, corporate events and launches, and beautiful commemorative celebrations.

Michelle Dayman Events offers services as simple as a consultation to provide you with the checklists, contacts, unique ideas and handy hints you need to get you on your way, right up to a full coordination of your wedding or event, with you at every step so that you are free to relax, enjoy and make the most of your special moments.

MDE will also be staging unique stand alone events throughout the year to shake things up a little, and provide Albany residents with another reason to dress up to the nines, enjoy a social night out, or experience something a little different to the norm.  Watch this space... 

What 5 words best describe your working style?

champagne-service - innovative - vibrant - energetic - passionate

What one tip would you give any bride planning the catering for the big day?
Delegation...
In my experience (over 100 weddings worked & counting) the most beautiful brides are the ones that are free of the burden of having to check up on various elements that need to fall into place and simply enjoying every moment of the day.  There are always plenty of people on hand and willing to help you to make your day perfect- so give every willing hand a task to take care of, then all you have to do on the day is enjoy the magic!
Or even better, allow Michelle Dayman Events to take care of everything intricate detail...

You often have several events on the go at the same time.  Where do you get you passion and energy?
The saying goes “if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life”... and I adore what I do!! So while every event involves a whirlwind of late nights, a million lists written and flashes of inspiration at the strangest times (a la 2am)- at the end of it all there is the reward of knowing that the event you have done has been a success, enriched lives or created beautiful memories.  I am a sucker for a deadline and can be a pocket rocket when faced with a mammoth workload- exhilarating!!

Any dreams for the future of MDE that you can share?
From little things, big things grow!!
In the next 12-18 months I will be striving to turn Michelle Dayman Events into a full time business as well as set up a beautiful consultation lounge and work space for me and my clients.  So MDE is a work in progress - eventually I plan to expand to event decor provision, wedding celebrancy & even weddings abroad.

How can our readers find out more about MDE? 
For further information on what I can offer you, your family or business you can visit my brand new website www.michelledaymanevents.com.au, follow me on Facebook at Michelle Dayman Events or email michelle@michelledaymanevents.com.au

Voila...

Yesterday was my last day of work before taking a few weeks holiday... but some people may think that I'd be hard stretched to call it work!? I was slaving away taking photos at the Literary Lunch featuring chef, writer and TV personality (recently seen on Masterchef and ABC's Poh's Kitchen) Emmanuel Mollois, who runs the exquisite "Choux Patisserie" in Swanbourne.  It was a long lunch as part of Albany's 2010 Sprung Writers Fest, held at Oranje Tractor.  Here's a glimpse of my hard day at work.  See you in three weeks.

 

 

Hey Dads...

Happy Fathers Day to all the Top Dads I know.... and those I don't!

Safety in numbers...

We had a lot of fun with this shoot.  Its for a "famous" local choir, Safety in Numbers, who are all about fun and encouragement.  It was very inspirational to be serenaded whilst working!

Slobbing around in the bay...

Whales are lounging about in the sun down at Middleton Beach this morning... wanted to stay down there with them. Popped down there before starting work today. They were so close to shore, you could smell them!

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