cherished moments photography

Well it has been quite a while since my last post.. I have been working on a few new ideas for Cherished Moments..
Our newest addition is so exciting, I have been bursting to share with you all, but wanted to wait till I had my samples in my hand.
Last year for Christmas, one of my favourite clients wanted to do some handbags with photos of her children on it.. Easy I thought but no, finding great quality, leather handbags in Australia is impossible ! Not a problem in today's world we just went looking overseas.... That's when we found the perfect Handbag.. My client showed me a website she had found.. GINA ALEXANDER DESIGNER HANDBAGS.. WOW!! These bags looked impressive, better than the handbags you find in the handbag shops.. BUT with personalized photos on them ! ( the story behind the Gina Alexander Handbags and all that she does has to be read to be believed also - such a giving and caring person )
I was in love... So we quickly set up a impromptu portrait sitting.. I have to admit when the handbag arrived, I did want to keep it for myself ! The stitching, the leather, the quality of the photos ! Every detail was impressive.

So that was it.. I wanted to be able to give all my clients the choice to get something so unique, so beautiful so meaningful to them, that I am now an Authorised Representative, which means all of my wonderful clients can get themselves a Gina Alexander Handbag with a photo from one of their sittings with me ! To look at some of the other designs head to http://www.ginaalexander.com/
To book a sitting to create your own masterpiece or to find out more information, email me cherished_moments@bigpond.com
* email to find out how to get your sitting to create your handbag free !! * conditions apply

10 years ago I married my best friend... Sometimes feels like yesterday... sometimes seems a lifetime ago...

To celebrate I secretly organised a return weekend stay at our wedding destination..

http://www.chapelhillretreat.com.au/default.htm Here's a insert from their website

One of Sydney's most romantic and unique wedding venues. Chapel Hill is located only 90 minutes drive from Sydney along the M2/M4. Situated on 80 rural acres in the foot hills of Mt Tomah, at the entrance to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, the grounds of Chapel Hill are a year-round celebration of nature. With stands of trees planted over 100 years ago, these established mountain gardens chart nature's progress through the seasons. In autumn, the golden hues of falling leaves create a patchwork of soothing colour. Come winter, light snow can blanket the top of Mt Tomah and clouds of mist rise from valley floors. In spring, a profusion of green and glorious brilliant colour breaks winter's hold, and in summer the filtered light streams through the sentinels of trees. An idyllic setting for an elegant, relaxed and fun-filled wedding.
An idyllic setting for a wedding, Chapel Hill has all the in-house facilities required for your special day. In a non-denominational chapel modelled on an early Australian country church, vows or even reaffirmation of vows can be taken in front of the floor-to-ceiling stained-glass window. With these luxury self-contained cottages each with their own separate entrance, whether you are part of a wedding party or just taking a romantic weekend escape, you can be assured of privacy while experiencing the nurture of nature.

And its all true...

When we first met Teresa, she lovingly told us the story behind chapel hill.. I think that is part of its charm..

The Story of the Chapel on the Hill & Garden of Peace
February22
By Teresa Spencer Plane 22nd October 1994
The Chapel in the Paddock

Once upon a time, it seems a lifetime ago back in 1978, I was asked a difficult question by a small child named Kelly. Her father Graham had died a short time before in the pioneer palliative care unit at Mount Carmel Hospital. Her question, “Where has my daddy gone?” brought tears to my eyes and my heart went out to this lovely child. How to tell her, what to say? I took her on my knee remembering her daddy as a handsome vital man who loved his young wife and two little girls very much. I told her how he had gone to “God’s House” in heaven where his spirit was living, greatly loved by God and that he would wait there until it was time for her to return to God’s House, most probably when she was a very old lady. I spoke of the great white Guardian Angels who watch over earth children and how her Daddy’s spirit would always be there to love and protect her.
At the time I only half believed the story that I had told Kelly and I wasn’t too sure about heaven either. I didn’t want to confuse my little friend but found talking to children about death very difficult. In the week’s preceding her father’s death I had done all I could to help both children understand how very sick Daddy was and that this was the reason why Mummy was crying and the nurses were all so sad. Since that day in 1978 I have had the privilege of sharing the experience of journeying down the pathway of life into death with many men, women and children. What lessons they have taught me and what gifts they gave.
Mount Carmel was sold in 1984 but the Outstretched Hand Foundation, a charitable organisation, continued to care for the dying and the bereaved in the community. Our education programs help to bring new awareness of the effect of death and bereavement on the family unit. The leaflets and booklets on all aspects of dying, grief and bereavement are published and distributed Australia wide.
The inspiration for “The Chapel in the Paddock” came from the story I told Kelly. I wanted in some small way to build a little Chapel, “God’s House” in a beautiful garden where all people – young and old, of all religions could come and find solace and help on the lonely journey from grief to healing. My late husband, Dr. Carl Spencer, supported this dream and wrote to me not long before his death in 1988:-
“The real Me has no limits and that by loving the unseen in each other we love God. The God within each of us loves the God within the other”.
It wasn’t until 1991 – thirteen years after I first encountered the philosophy of modern hospice care – that I truly understood farewells are only beginnings and that death is something for us to live with day in and day out. In doing so we will really live our lives in a state of heightened awareness and liberating joy.
This was the lesson I learnt from my son, Andrew, who shortly before his death in 1991 presented me with a beautiful Russett Oak Tree and asked that it be planted in “God’s Garden”. He placed the small tree outside my meditation garden that has been created as a place of peace and serenity in an increasingly stressful world.
The Chapel with exquisite stained glass windows, and the buildings in the Chapel Garden, were erected in 1994 by the late Mr. Jack Plane. Jack Plane had a life-long commitment to the care and quality of life for the aged in our community. His dream of “Touch the Earth Day’s” i.e. fun days out in the country for residents of nursing homes, hospices and hostels, was a dream I shared. He also wanted to recognise the pioneer work of the Palliative Care done by Mount Carmel Hospital and Dr Carl Spencer. The two angel windows are memorials to Carl, killed in a motor vehicle accident in 1988, and my son Andrew, who died of AIDS in 1991.
Jack Plane, lovingly referred to as “God’s Banker” was born into eternal life on 15th February 1995.
Our dream came true. Anyone who is hurting or grieving for a loved one may well find comfort in the following thoughts as they sit in the Chapel or walk through the garden.

Chapel on the Hill

By Teresa Howe 15 February 2000
A postscript to the story of the Chapel in the Paddock that became the Chapel on the Hill.
From 1994 when the Chapel was blessed and dedicated, many visitors came to spend time in this peaceful sanctuary. Among them the frail aged from nursing homes and community care and senior citizens from retirement villages – all enjoying a touch the earth day and luncheon in the restaurant. It wasn’t until 1996 on the anniversary of my son Andrew’s death that I met Donald Howe as just one more visitor. Donald’s wife Elaine had died some time previously in the care of the Palliative Care Team at the Sanitarium Hospital. We had much to share and talk about. We had both loved and suffered loss. The magnitude of our respective losses became the measure of life’s gift to us. We were married in the Chapel on December 30th 1996 before children and grandchildren. Since that day many young couples have come to be married in the Chapel.
For them and all future lovers who are drawn to the Chapel I make this wish:
May you take time with each other

to let the seed of love grow and

Flourish with the seasons.

May you know Spring’s awareness

Summer’s warmth Autumn’s

understanding Winter’s serenity

( Thankfully I found the story on a blog, so I didnt need to re - type !!)

I love the story behind chapel hill, it makes it so much more special.

Going back was like walking back in time... except that the trees had grown ! It was romantic and magical and quiet ! Having 3 children it was almost too quiet ( but not quite!) If you are looking for a wedding destination , or a romantic secluded getaway.. here is the place for you..

We hope to return every year ( 10 is just too long !!) We also hope that Chapel Hill never changes as it is perfect the way it is...