Haemorrhaging Hours

2012-02-15T00:28:00.002Z

Ack! I am SO sorry I ignored you blogspot. I would say never again but we all know that would be optimistic. Anyway, here is something I made for my Dad last year - it was one of the first books I bound, and it's all about pasta. It's quite basic, as it's just a fold out book, but I was pleased with it at the end.

2011-10-24T15:21:00.000+01:00

Sorry - I'm being a bad blogger! Too much time has lapsed between posts >_< I'll try and post more regularly soon....

En France

2011-06-07T10:43:00.004+01:00

Flowers

2011-05-30T21:46:00.002+01:00

Doors, windows and such from France (last year)

2011-05-30T17:00:00.005+01:00

Interesting bits and bobs from France - I nearly deleted these off my camera since I assumed I must have uploaded them at some point in the last year - clearly not! I took loads of photos of signs and stuff too, so I might put those put at some point.

The Hunger Games

2011-04-27T22:47:00.002+01:00

Pretty much inhaled the whole Hunger Games trilogy this Easter weekend (very good by the way). Better find something else to read for the next set of bank holidays!

Diamond Jubilee

2011-02-23T17:50:00.003Z

These were designed by kids for a Blue Peter competition for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee logo this year - they're amazing! So colourful and quirky. The top one is the one that won, but I'm in love with that little roaring lion. I was surprised that they didn't get the Olympics logo done by kids too. I used to love drawing things and entering Blue Peter competitions - I'm so glad it still exists :)

Michael Rosen's Sad Book

2011-02-07T23:05:00.003Z

Books galore!

2011-02-07T21:29:00.003Z

How amazing is this? I love looking at these huge piles of books - they look pretty daunting - but this one already looks loads better than it did before! It sounds really geeky but I love riffling through all these old books - you find some amazing stuff! I've already found an original souvenir guide to the Queen's coronation, an original set of Paddington books (which I wish I had taken - it was going to be recycled anyway), a really old edition of David Attenborough's Living Planet and some really old school nicely illustrated books on flowers and fossils. I end up coming home with so much stuff that I can't bear to recycle. I end up getting distracted from the job of sorting them sometimes - last week I stood in the room reading a kid's book that was pretty good and then remembered I what I was supposed to be doing when someone else walked past - oops.

I shut my eyes in order to see

2011-02-02T22:34:00.002Z

Love love love John William Waterhouse.

Christmas Fundraising!

2010-12-08T11:15:00.004Z

Hi everyone, I'm trying to raise some money over Christmas for the charity I work for, READ International. If you'd like to own one of my 50 handmade and hand-printed Gocco Christmas cards - please donate to my justgiving page, message me your address and I'll send one to you! Thanks!

Les Bande-dessines

2010-10-12T22:27:00.003+01:00

Some sporadic posting I'm afraid! I'm just going to post a couple of nice discoveries for now....I know summer seems forever ago, but I went to France for a couple of weeks (lovely thanks for asking). Whenever I visit France I am always impressed by their comics scene and varied styles. I stumbled across a great publisher called manolo sanctis, which prints mini comics from new talent (or as far as I can tell, it's all in french!). I bought a really beautiful comic called "Princesse Suplexe" about a girl wrestler! Even though I can't properly read it, I can make out what is going on, the joy of comics! I wish we had more independent comics publishers in the UK. Whenever I go into my local/not so local comic shops, there are never enough (or no) homemade zines and not enough homegrown talent showcased!

THE BOOK EFFECT

2010-09-28T17:22:00.005+01:00

So in case you didn't know I have just started working for READ International. WATCH THE VIDEO!

Scribbles before bedtime

2010-09-21T18:38:00.002+01:00

Have also been doodling before bed this week....I don't know what people with stuff coming out of their heads means, maybe it means I am stressed or something.

Cut it out!

2010-09-21T18:04:00.002+01:00

Ages ago I made these cut-out-pop-up cities for a book based on Italo Calvino's "Invisible Cities" for my art foundation, I was thinking about making some more, probably much smaller though! Maybe make some little foldout books. I'm experimenting a lot at the moment with lino printing and different ways of using print. Anyway, I feel a bit unimaginative at the moment so I thought I'd blog a bit before doing a bit of scribbling. Its hard to switch mindset when I have so many other jobs to do!

New goccos!

2010-08-11T23:16:00.000+01:00

GOCCO

2010-08-03T19:40:00.001+01:00

So after several hiccups and mishaps, I have FINALLY managed to make my first successful gocco print! It has been a bit of a time consuming activity (also because I foolishly decided to make my own screens) but it paid off in that first moment when I made the first print and it looked beautiful! So happy....I'll put up some photos later.
Squeee!

Mushroom girl

2010-08-03T11:26:00.000+01:00

More bees

2010-07-26T23:43:00.004+01:00

Taken at Hampton Court flower show. They had little fields of sunflowers and were pulling them all up at the end of the day, so I quickly went to take photos. Also by the way, I have not photoshoppped this even though it looks like I have! (Click to view all the fibonaccial glory)

I shall wear midnight

2010-07-26T23:10:00.006+01:00

Some new sketches

Ladybird

2010-07-07T19:33:00.004+01:00

Uninspired title

2010-07-06T20:02:00.005+01:00

Our garden is full of loads of amazing flowers right now so I took the opportunity to do lots of sketching and painting. I made this one into a birthday card. I've just put up a collage of random sketches below and also a picture of "Clubs lady" (she makes up the set of Queens that I drew previously but I had been meaning to redo the clubs one for aaages, I finally got her right).

Je suis tres heureux!

2010-06-16T21:14:00.003+01:00

I have been waiting so long to see Sylvain Chomet's next work of art and it is showing right now at the EIFF. Watching the trailer made me feel all homesick for Edinburgh and it looks so lovingly made. I know he lives in Edinburgh so I'm glad he loves it as much as I do!

Another amazing little animation that I am excited about is an adaptation of Shaun Tan's "The Lost Thing" . It is good to see some really good 2D animation and more traditional art techniques in with the CG which I'm hoping is going to have some sort of vogue some time soon.

Bee

2010-06-10T23:17:00.004+01:00

Cool beans

2010-06-07T23:37:00.013+01:00

I wanted to make a series of time lapse pictures of some seeds I've grown, but my lack of commitment and the need to move the plants around alot got in the way! So here are some random pictures I took as they were growing, some of them are pretty big now so maybe I'll update so you can see how they look. I'm too scared to move them out of the pots for fear of slugs/snails eating them, its like they are my babies and I don't want them to go out into the big bad world!!!

(Courgette, Pumpkin and Beans)

Elephantine

2010-04-30T14:28:00.002+01:00

Check out this cool new illustration blog set up by Lauren for us all to collaborate and have some fun. We're going to be illustrating a new thing every two weeks so it will be exciting to see what everyone comes up with!

Colouring in

2010-04-16T14:10:00.003+01:00

So I am not very good at using photoshop and I thought I'd have a practice colouring in session from a random sketch. I find it very frustrating and i much prefer colouring in the normal way. If anyone has any tips for me PLEASE tell me! I like making things that look they have a painted texture but instead mine looks like I coloured in using paint or something. bah.

Behemoth

2010-04-05T15:19:00.002+01:00

A drawing of a tiger moth I did this weekend. I suddenly wanted to draw lots of moths.

Mother Swordtail

2010-03-18T23:13:00.002Z

A small drawing I did for my Mum for Mother's Day. The fish is from observation of our mother swordtail fish in our fishtank, whom I love for being a bit ditzy and greedy.

2010-02-28T17:24:00.004Z

Beautiful photos from Irene Suchocki. How gorgeous are these lanterns? Her blog is called "eye poetry" and it is so true.

2010-02-27T00:31:00.002Z

A picture I did today. It scans really crappily so I photographed it instead, might have to fool around in photoshop to make it look better. Its like a seaweed girl thing. I just thought of joke that I used to think was hilarious when I was little, ahem:

Why did the lobster blush?
Because the sea weed....

If only I still found that entertaining.

Some great things

2010-02-26T15:43:00.005Z

Have you seen the Winter Olympics advert on the BBC? Its amazing. It was made by Studio AKA (who also made Lost and Found) and Jon Klassen, who makes beautiful, textural images. How does he make them look like that? I need to pick his brain. Incidentally he also contributed to a lovely book called "We are the Friction" which is full of imaginative stories and illustrations.

Just as I was leaving Canada back in October, promotion of the Winter Olympics had just started and there were soooo many cute cuddly versions of the Olympic mascots, I LOVE them. It took a lot of willpower not to buy one.

(spotted in Toronto)

Also whilst in Canada I discovered a cool artist called Sam Weber. His posters were up around Toronto and are haunting and surreal.

2010-02-19T13:08:00.002Z

Has anyone else been watching Glee? I got the soundtrack today and it is amaaaaaaaazing.

Lo Siento

2010-02-18T17:23:00.003Z

Oh fail! I keep leaving big gaps in posts.

I have been busily job hunting but meeting a lot of dead ends. Being at home doing nothing was driving me to a slow death, so now I am part time working at my Dads computer shop, spending a lot of time hiding from customers who ask me things beyond my knowledge. I feel a lot better when I am keeping busy, I was getting lazy and apathetic.

Anywhoo, do you like the t-shirt I made? Should I make more? I'm hopefully going to post more art for you to comment on and you have to tell me if it is rubbish or not.

Tomorrow I am going to see Imogen Heap, so excited! She always has really inventive shows so I am looking forward to what magic she will create! I'll update with pics hopefully soon.

Anyway, I promise to be back.

#hhh

2010-01-24T00:17:00.004Z

Currently listening to the Help Heal Haiti drive that the HP Alliance and other podcasters/comunities have organised, its amazing what they are doing. Did some sketching whilst listening.

(sorry, really bad photo)

There are some things that you can't fix with a Reparo charm

2010-01-22T17:04:00.004Z

If you are a Harry Potter fan you will probably have seen these, but if you haven't, they are HIGHLY amusing.

2010-01-21T15:03:00.003Z

Overheard in a bookshop in London

Girl: "Where is Russia?" "Is Russia in Europe?" "Or is it in Asia?"
Boy "I don't know where it is but it is BUFF. I know two people from Russia and they are soooo buff"

A person without imagination is like a teabag without hot water

2010-01-20T20:20:00.006Z

Every year when it comes to making resolutions I always say "draw more". This never happens. Whenever I have spare time to sit down and be creative, it always seems to be after a long period of time and I spend all my time worrying about what to draw. The longer I think about what to draw, the less inspired I get and the more pressure I have to draw something that I feel should look "good" as I have spent so long thinking about it.

Obviously this leads to very little result. I took a leaf out of Eric Orchards book and drew a couple of things inspired by The Sartorialist, a blog I follow daily.

What I thought of Avatar

2010-01-17T00:03:00.003Z

Although I was reluctant, this week I went to see James Cameron's "Avatar" at the IMAX in London. I was reluctant for the following reasons;
1) I thought it was just going to be a big show-off lengthy blockbuster movie, a flashy CGI/3D/special effects type affair
2) I mistakenly prejudged it as a plotless film with a lot of battles and action and no heart

Ok, so maybe not really very good reasons to be reluctant about it, but in any case there is no reason to become angry at my narrow minded judgement, as I enjoyed every minute of it. First off, the effects WERE very good, so the hype I think, was perhaps deserved. The beauty of the landscape of the planet Pandora that it was set on and Na'vi (the main tribe of people) was exquisite and extremely imaginative. And maybe they did show off a little, but I figured that was ok seeing as what they had succeeded in created really did deserve some screentime. After all, it did take 10 years to make, and everything was particularly beautiful.

Secondly, ok so it was long, but so are most films these days, and I didn't have that moment were you think "hmm this should be wrapping itself up now, but its not"

Thirdly, my main reason that I ended up liking it so much, was that it had a HEART. It really did. Underneath all the fancy computer work, blue screen stuff and big battle scenes, there was a proper spirit to the film. The Na'vi's relationship with their Mother Earth, and innate connection to all living beings , in comparison to our world, was really what made me like the film. It was essentially a commentary on the impact we are having on our world today, and though, maybe sensibly, not marketed as such it seems to have had a great impact on the way people feel about our lifestyles. There was even a moment that echoed George W. Bush, as the humans try to fight "terror with terror".

Also, finally, the actors were awesome.

Neil Gaiman is too cool

2010-01-02T20:04:00.004Z

Neil Gaiman says it better than I can.

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself."

"I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you'll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind."

I'm know I will be reading at least one fine book this year as I got his book, American Gods, for Christmas. Anyway, excellent sentiments from him, I wouldn't be able to say it any better so I will leave it at that.

2009-12-25T00:13:00.002Z

How to be an artist:

Stay loose. Learn to watch snails. Plant impossible gardens.
Invite someone dangerous to tea. Make little signs that say "Yes!"
and post them all over your house. Make friends with freedom and
uncertainty. Look forward to dreams. Cry during movies. Swing as
high as you can on a swing set, by moonlight. Cultivate moods.
Refuse to be responsible. Do it for love. Take lots of naps. Give
money away. Do it now. The money will follow. Believe in magic.
Laugh a lot. Celebrate every gorgeous moment. Take moonbaths.
Have wild imaginings, transformative dreams, and perfect calm.
Draw on the walls. Read everyday. Imagine yourself magic. Giggle
with children. Listen to old people. Open up. Dive in. Be free. Bless
yourself. Drive away fear. Play with everything. Entertain your inner
child. You are innocent. Build a fort with blankets. Get wet.
Hug trees. Write love letters.

--Sark

P.S. I probably wouldn't invite someone dangerous to tea

2009-11-10T16:28:00.002Z

Its cold and rainy....ugghhhhh U_U This makes me unhappy! I am sitting in bed planning some Christmas card designs to make with my GOCCO!!! Excitement.

2009-11-09T12:48:00.002Z

So today marks 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was three when this happened and the very first thing I ever learnt about this historic event was while watching an episode of Alvin and The Chipmunks in the 80s -how educational! Anyway, I just found a clip of them singing their Wall song(and thus making the wall fall down, probably due to their high pitched voices).

Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company

2009-11-04T18:50:00.004Z

Imagine!

(not my photo, but HOW COOL)

On our recent travels we visited New York for four days, overall I found it less exciting than I thought it would be. However I absolutely fell in love with Brooklyn. Its a lot more friendly and quirky than Manhattan. Anyway, while we were there, wandering the streets of Park Slope we passed a shop called "The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company". At first, we thought it was a joke, and we were wondering what it really was. But the more we peered into the darkened windows, the more we wondered if thats what it really was! Anyway, when we realised it was open we went in and it was AMAZING!

Basically, the BSSC is actually a non profit organisation that supports creative writing for kids. The store is actually a base for their workshops and inspires the kids imaginations by creating a exciting environment for them to work in. If I was a kid I would be sooo happy in there! It is designed so that the workshop is in a special superhero "vault" type thing and the walls are all filled with superhero products such as "Gravity" "Immortality" "Intelligence" and all manner of capes, gloves, tights and secret identities to buy. I wish I'd taken more photos but it was too amazing to take in! Never have I seen such attention to detail and also for a worthy cause. I have also just learned that it was founded by the amazing Dave Eggers (Mc Sweeneys, Where the Wild things are and A Heartbreaking work of staggering genius) - congratulations to you, you were already awesome and now you are triple times that.

Anyway. Here are some other photos from Brooklyn, both taken at the Prospect Park Farmers Market where we consumed lots of delicious food.

Finito

2009-11-03T11:54:00.005Z

Look how it turned out! With lots of help from Patrick (thank you) we managed to finish it in 3 days. There is one other wall but it is awaiting the final touches. In other news I am going to Bahrain on thursday, I don't know what time my flight is, where I'll be staying and apparently I am going to be waiting at some wedding of an insanely rich person.

2009-10-28T16:56:00.003Z

(Do you like it? It is very rough but hopefully fun)

Gosh! So tomorrow I am supposed to be starting to paint a mural on the walls of one of the Roundhouse Radio studios thanks to a friend. I am sort of going to play this by ear seeing as I have never painted a wall before so I'm hoping I don't make some kind of silly mistake. I think I have everything though (checklist: paint, masking tape, various brushes, pencil, what else do I need?) even if I don't it means I might have an excuse to visit the nearby new massive Cass Art store in Islington and buy exciting things like acrylic pens. I like acrylic pens I hope I end up needing one.

Anyway wish me luck because if I goes wrong I will freak out.

I'll take some pictures so you can see what it looks like! Its going to be very brightly coloured.

mmm waffles

2009-10-27T13:47:00.002Z

Is it better to live with a bullet lodged in your brain, even if it means you might drop dead any time or would you rather have the bullet taken out and live the rest of your life as a vegetable? Are zebras white with black stripes or black with white stripes? Is scrap metal worth more than landmines? Can you get drunk from eating waffles? Can a woman fit inside a refridgerator? What is the human cannonball world record? Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Micmacs a tire-larigot

Apparently his new film explains these questions and more....

Polyfilla

2009-10-27T12:12:00.003Z

My sincerest apologies for abandoning this blog for so long! I have been incredibly busy jetting off to far away places (excuses excuses). At the moment I am in a horrible stage of being between jobs and trying to find a job that I actually might want to keep. Even though I don't have anything to do I seem to have a million tiny things to do. I'm also trying to have some projects on the side to keep me sane and creative.

Anyway, I have lots of tales to tell about my travels which I will hopefully regale you with soon.

In the meantime listen to this: at 34 minutes in you will hear Imogen Heap perform the most beautiful cover of Michael Jacksons "Thriller" ever. Amaazing.

Raindrops

2009-08-23T14:32:00.002+01:00

Oh I do love watching Ugly Betty. It is the only TV programme that makes me feel all fuzzy inside. Today it is raining again. I have also just decided that I want my next career to be working on the Harry Potter set in the creative department. How I intend to get this job I do not know but if I had a choice that would be where I'd like to spend the next year or so. hahahaha, unlikely. Look at what beautiful things I could be making!

This work belongs to Nicholas Saunders

Buongiorno!

2009-08-20T23:26:00.009+01:00

(Grande Finale)

Evening loyal followers (up to four, hello Sam!)

Gosh I am tired this week, I can't wait until I finish work and can finally have a holiday (even though after that its back to the world of jobless nothing). Its been raining torrentially today so I thought I'd stay in to rest and catch up with a bit of blogging etc.

On the weekend we visited the 3D2D craft fair in Edinburgh, there was a fair amount of rubbish there but some outstanding art too. Amongst the usual stalls (and some weirder....dogs painted on feathers?!) we came across some amazing printmakers. Peter Standen really caught my eye with his etchings that blended real life with magic and imagination. I fell in love with his picture of Edinburgh all mixed up with whales and volcanoes and allsorts (above). We ended up buying lots of his postcards (some of the most beautiful we saw aren't on his website sadly). I also really liked Cath Outrams still life prints and Patrick liked John Heywoods work.

I also got to see QT's "Inglourious Basterds" yesterday. Amazing fun. I haven't seen such a fun movie in ages. Imagine if that was really what happened in WWII. It was a change from the usual war films that come out (nothing wrong with them), but it was nice to have a sense of humour and spirit back.

What else? I took some photos today in an old lab that isn't used anymore, it looks like it got stuck in time by accident. That was a long post, maybe I will leave it for now. Goodnight.

"My name is Hedwig. As I fell through the icy night sky...." (J.K.Rowling)

2009-08-19T00:26:00.002+01:00

(Crop circle found overnight in Wiltshire)

Anyway, I'm sure this isn't Hedwig but its too cool. Whoever spent all night making that should be PROUD.

Cruising the etsy aisles

2009-08-14T13:01:00.002+01:00

Wow, first post for August. I guess I apologise again for being busy and lazy all at the same time. I haven't really had many moments to myself (even now I should be writing in my lab book), but I just took some time out to peruse Etsy for things I want but can never have and I came across this:

This amazing creation is the work of Etsy felt artist extraordinaire Felt Finesse. Its cuuuute and I want it! Too many things I want to blog about all at the same time but I will save this for when I'm not at work and supposed to be working....!

I am a Kraken from the sea

2009-07-26T23:03:00.002+01:00

This evening I watched Half Nelson on BBC iplayer. I like it when they have random films on. It was an extremely good film and now I feel all zoned out and contemplative, very sunday eveningish.

In other news I managed to lose my jacket this weekend, strangely somewhere in between my main front door and my flat....I'm not sure how this happened and why I cannot remember anything that happened during this period of time. Most odd and upsetting as I love that jacket. But obviously this is no matter of importance in the wider sense of losing things, it could be worse.

Mermaid

2009-07-21T20:37:00.004+01:00

I've been doing some little scribbles recently! There is a small (bad) photo of one of them

Its raining insanely right now, I quite like it, it is very atmospheric and makes my cup of tea even better. Sorry for lack of proper updates recently, I will be better in future.

Patrick & Joel....listen up!

2009-07-20T22:35:00.002+01:00

Dearest Patrick and Joel
I know you are both lazy ne'er-do wells but seeing as you have both got blogs now and you are both supposed to be working tirelessly to promote yourselves and bag the animation job of your dreams (which, really, you're not), I have a proposition.

Seeing as you are ladies of leisure, every week you will produce one piece of artwork (see I don't ask much) and post it on your blog. If you're game I will also join in and I will make it a bit more of a challenge! It will be fun, trust!

Plus these artworks can be used on your blog/for your shameless self promotion/to create little things to sell/to send out etc. So you see it is not useless!

Much love

She killed Sirius Black, but she has cool style

2009-07-16T14:34:00.004+01:00

Whilst watching Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince yesterday I noticed that Bellatrix Lestrange was wearing the coolest/most morbid necklace ever. I really want one now!

Also, I was pondering an interesting question. When Harry wins the Felix Felicis from Slughorn, he says that only one student has ever won it before him. Obviously that is Snape, but I wonder what he used his Liquid Luck for?

hmmm. I believe a canon conundrums is in order....

2009-07-14T22:22:00.001+01:00

HARRY POTTER!!!

2009-07-04T20:25:00.002+01:00

Aloha blog readers (if there are any)
Apologies for huge gap in posts! I've have been rather busy because of the following:
1) A job
2) Moving house
3) Graduating!
4) Hecticness in general

But in case I am still here/alive and have had an insanely busy last three weeks. However, at the moment I am feeling a little blue due to the fallout now that the happy chaos has died down. I just had a wee cycle around and bought some cookies to make me feel better, and now Michael Jacksons Earth Song is playing to indulge this pitifulness. I'm a bit sad because my wonderful year of living with four fabulous people is over and now I feel a bit lonely without them! So I am rattling around on my ownsome at the moment pretty much. This feeling is amplified due to my parents and boyfriend also leaving this week. Anyway, I'm annoying myself by blathering on about this. It will be fine once I get used to it.

Anyway, I will post some cool photos from the last few weeks soon, I will be back soon, never fear!

Shiny Things!

2009-06-07T20:16:00.005+01:00

(funky 50p jewellery)

(fabric from Japan)

This weekend was the Meadows festival. It was a bit cold but we spent lots of time rifling through lots of junk (my favourite thing) and listening to a hundred different types of music all mashed together. We spent ages hunting out magical shiny bits of costume jewellery in a huge pile marked "50p". Look at the pretty things I got! I'm such a magpie.

When we were in Japan, we went to a flea market type thing in Kyoto (amazing btw) and I bought these little scraps of fabric from a lovely man (who gave me one free). I think they are old pieces from obis/kimonos. I thought I could do something cool with them but I haven't worked out what yet! They are quite wee, measuring 17x10 cm, give me some ideas, I am quite stuck!

Its the final Apprentice tonight! I'm not too bothered who wins this one. Also, hurrah, I'm going to Canada this year, what shall I see? x

2009-06-04T18:47:00.001+01:00

I like this picture. 1) because I love Cyndi Lauper 2) The T-shirt amuses me

Several sunlit days (spot the HP quote)

2009-06-03T23:04:00.002+01:00

Oh man, I really want Stevie Nicks' Crystal Visions CD, its mad and some of it sounds really 80's. I keep feeling like I deserve to buy myself things which is dangerous, seeing as I don't yet have a job, though it is promising that I may get a job in the Bird Lab. Hurrah! Now I just have to find somewhere to live for the rest of the summer. Since friday it has been SO SUNNY that I have not really been inside much, today the weather was much cooler. I have been spending practically my whole time lounging around on the Meadows, with the majority of the city of Edinburgh really. Muchos barbequing fun and I think I may have read more books in that time than I have all year! I finally got around to reading "Rebecca" (Daphne du Maurier) which I had nearly given up for a lost cause seeing as I had started it numerous times, got bored and had to start again each time. This time I persevered and found it to be extremely good! Am going to hunt out some of the rest of her books at some point. On monday night we (foolishly) decided to climb up Arthurs Seat to see the sunrise, which was a bit of an adventure! It turned out to be very cold when we got to the top and a huge mist came rolling up out of the darkness from nowhere which dampened the sunrise effect somewhat but it was still immense fun. This is a wee bit of a ramble. I should put some interesting things in here somewhere.

These people are trying to give Polaroids a comeback and a bit of a revamp (joyousness):

If you ever read A Series of Unfortunate Events you will know this artist well, Brett Helquist is fantastic and supercool. I got a bit obsessed with cross hatching after I discovered him.

Also I saw Burn After Reading last night, it was moderately funny and weird. Brad Pitt was the most hilarious thing in it.

Also! Here is an amusing video to make you remember your elements (sounds more boring than it is)
That is enough for now I think.

P.S. I might be getting my degree tomorrow, eeeeeeek.

The journey is the desination

2009-05-28T22:58:00.004+01:00

I have always meant to create some sort of art "journal" type thing but I am hideously bad at sitting down and making myself do such a thing in one book. Today I revisited Dan Eldon's journals and was inspired, he was an amazing man, I'd love to do what he did. You should all look at his work because it is incredible. Even though I am 22, I still feel like I am very small and insignificant, but recently I have been noticing that there are people my age and younger than me that are all doing important things and I know that I should be too. Dan Eldon died when he was 22, so this makes me feel a little strange. (Don't know if that made much sense, but I am not very good and putting stuff into words)

Howdy!

2009-05-28T22:21:00.006+01:00

(sorry some bad photos but it is not daytime atm)

I am making things! Now that I am no longer a STUDENT and I am FREE I get to do whatever I want until I realise I have no money and that I need a job. Its not as fun as I was hoping. Anyway, today I made loads of little things to use for brooches/stitchmarkers/charms.

Yesterday we had a fun party to say farewell to Matt, thankfully there were no incidents involving washing machines this time. Since Friday I have just been reading, sleeping, basking in sunlight, watching films, going on spontaneous theatre trips, having dinners with friends, dancing, pretending to be an animal and experimenting with some arty endeavours. Apparently it is going to be really hot tomorrow IT BETTER BE I CAN'T WAIT!

Going to do some painting now, a bientot!

Maaoowwwwrrrrrrrr (or something)

2009-05-20T19:46:00.003+01:00

(Wallis the wallaby pokes his head out of his surrogate pouch, an animal keeper's woolly hat, at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, in Wraxall, near Bristol. He was found in a field after falling out of his mother's pouch and being rejected)

This was on BBC news today, it makes me feel like making a weird noise at JUST HOW CUTE IT IS! I can't stop looking at it!!!

lol

2009-05-19T00:25:00.002+01:00

Oh dear, the presentation I am making is pretty poor. I'm so bored of it that the whole thing is very....blah.

But anyway, quick question: Would Voldemort prefer Rich Tea or Custard Creams?
This whole discussion makes me laugh everytime I read it! I like that so many people have opinions on this and the answers are amazing (examples below)!

"I don't think Voldemort would like any biscuit with a soft centre! He seems more of a Hobnob guy to me. I can just see him sitting there with a steaming mug of Unicorn's blood, wearing his fluffy Dementor slippers!"

"Nobody in their right mind could possibly prefer Rich Tea to anything!
Voldemort is not in his right mind.
Therefore he prefers Rich Tea."

"You're all way out. It`s got to be a Jacobs cracker"

Boxes galore!

2009-05-18T17:51:00.004+01:00

I am the queen of thriftyness! I saved all the boxes I got from ordering Primers and made them pretty, look! I'm going to use them for birthday presents and such like.

(The red one is how they look originally)

Cross your fingers, hold your toes!

2009-05-11T23:53:00.000+01:00

What time is it?

2009-05-09T14:13:00.004+01:00

Man, I hope you have all seen ADVENTURE TIME cos if you havent WHY I ASK YOU WHY.

The reason that I bring adventure time up is that it is now being made into a series on Cartoon Network....Algebraic! So I hope you're excited. It was created by Pendleton Ward, who has a super cool site. I'm a bit sad because the old one had this really awesome song that was really addictive and all these random creatures that popped out and made random noises. If you're reading this Pendleton Ward (unlikely)....I WANT TO SEE THAT AGAIN. Oh and you should aaallll look up Natasha Allegri because she is aaaawesome and is working on the series too.

Ok so now I have to make sure I get Cartoon Network.

Much love from the Queen of "I haven't done any work yet today and my dissertation is due soon"

Wednesday

2009-05-05T22:23:00.003+01:00

I was feeling weird while I was studying so I put my new WEDNESDAY CAT BAG (courtesy of a surprise gift from Patrick~thank you!!!) on my head....now you see why I get nothing done. Though actually I did a fair amount today. My room looks so colourful in this pic.

Do you want to see my desk? It looks pretty tidy in the picture but its a lot worse at the moment, there's paper everywhere and I'm not sure whats underneath it all....

Making my dissertation pretty

2009-05-04T15:37:00.003+01:00

wasting time as usual
(My friend Emma did one of these and I copied her)

2009-05-03T15:23:00.002+01:00

TELL ME TO GET ON WITH MY WORK!!!
Is it possible for someone to waste soooooooooooo much time. Eh, I am a lazy good for nothing.

A Little Night Music

2009-04-30T00:00:00.005+01:00

"IT IS A STORY you tell lying down, when all the storms have rumbled off elsewhere, the fires abated, the musicians packed up, tents blown away like milkweed, the earth turns--maybe."
(Extract from Between Lives: An Artist and Her World)

(Bateau Bleue)

A quick break from dissertationing to blog!
I am pretty interested in reading Between Lives: An Artist and Her World, a memoir written by Dorothea Tanning, the oldest living Surrealist, and my top favourite artist (probably) ever. She is definately not the most famous, or even known particularly well in the Surrealist movement and often she is more just Max Ernsts wife, but I think she is awesome. Although a lot of what she does scares me, I always end up liking the feeling of being scared and lost in her frightening worlds. It feels a bit like being stuck in a dream forever. Anyway, she pretty much inspired me through most of school (her and Max Ernst= my big obsession in art class) and I think it would be cool to see what she has to say!

"As for still being here," says Tanning, 91, "I can only apologize."

(Eine Kleine Nachtmusik)

2009-04-27T23:24:00.000+01:00

Come with me on an Oxford adventure!

Material world

2009-04-27T23:01:00.004+01:00

I really REALLY need some new clothes/shoes as everything I own is falling apart. I especially covet everything made by TamamiKo Bag on etsy. She makes everything out of really beautiful fabrics and combinations. You should also check out Sarah Sevens shop as she makes the most gorgeous dresses ever, I think need one.

Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow

2009-04-25T19:02:00.004+01:00

(do you like my new belt buckles? I got them from Etsy and made them into a belt)

I woke up with despair in my stomach, it felt like that anyway, just because I couldn't bear the thought of getting up and getting on with life!

Yesterday was my last exam EVER (i hope) and we had celebrations with Tequila and Gin and in the evening we went to see In the Loop, a film I knew little about, apart from that it was a political satire. And it was REALLY funny. Not just a bit funny, where you laugh periodically at the bits you're supposed to, but funny all the time, like every five seconds, it was almost relentlessly funny. It was even funny when sad/bad things were happening. Anyway, I recommend it.

Nothing else to say really.

2009-04-22T00:43:00.001+01:00

also....CORALINE SOON!!! excitement.

Today I discovered Wolfmother

2009-04-21T23:51:00.003+01:00

(amazing)

The internet is soooo slow today, don't know what is wrong with it. I'll be brief, it obviously wants me to be brief. This film looks fun, mostly because I loooove Zooey Deschanel rather than anything else, the film looks alright but not amazing. OK: some links
Love in the British Library
Signs
Fumio Obata, watch the animation called "Shhh"
Some nice weirdness

2009-04-20T21:12:00.002+01:00

Magic mushrooms (I hope)

2009-04-18T17:03:00.004+01:00

I made these mushroom stitchmarkers based on some that I made for Sam for Christmas, to sell on Etsy, but apparently you need a credit card to become a seller (which I don't have). So I might take these around Edinburgh to sell them somewhere, look out for them! I'm hoping to make more soon. If you're a knitter and you wish to purchase these lovely items get in touch! Even if you're not at all interested, also get in touch!

I had a dream about large fighting pokemon last night and I was commentating on the match....

I'm complaining

2009-04-16T14:39:00.002+01:00

Blogging from the lab....I've reached a new low. My experiment is crushing my spirit....In case you're interested its called ChIP (Chromatin Immunoprecipitation) and it a) takes aaaages (over the course of three days) b) is very fiddly and annoyingly requires great fastidiousness c) I always seem to do something wrong, which when you think about how long it takes, is just ridiculous because it means I can't just start all over again, and if I do it really wrong then I have just wasted 3 days. WHAT. d) also it smells as there are various chemicals/fluids that have a less than pleasurable odour.

What's annoying is that everytime I do it I think "this time will be the time I get it right!" with unnerving optimism and then proceed to feel like I am a bull in a china shop and blunder around and get everything WRONG WRONG WRONG. also the experiment is rigorous and does not allow time for lunch. also the part I'm at now involves doing something for about 5 mins and nothing for 10 (repeat x 10).

Sigh.

The Inner Eye does not see upon command!

2009-04-14T23:02:00.004+01:00

I have just watched the extras on the Harry Potter Order of The Phoenix film and there is a whole scene dedicated to Professor Trelawney eating her dinner in the Great Hall. OH THE HILARITY. Its so pointless (because it's about 5 minutes long) but it is possibly the funniest thing ever. So funny. Im so happy (whoops just typed Harry by accident) that someone made the decision to film that and that Emma Thompson spent her time being so Trelawneyesque. If you haven't seen it you should look it up because it is immmensely amusing.

Also, looking at all the behind the scenes stuff has made me wish I was working in the art/graphics department, it looks SO FUN. And I never knew that so many of the things that look CGI'd are actually real props! Real lighting up wands! Real crystal balls! Real crazy mechanical door thingys! There's still time anyway....two more films to go!

Sorry for the Harry Potter overload, I'll come back with something different next time

P.S. Two cool things: Ginny in the new film. The typography and design in the last film.

I know, lets find me a new career

2009-04-12T21:09:00.005+01:00

This dissertation is kiiiiiiiiiiiilling me. I have spent all day writing virtually nothing and then deleting everything I do write. Stress stress stress. So much for the goal of finishing my introduction this weekend. I have done sod all!

P.S. Here is a picture of a monkey that Sarah and I found on Google. I thought it was cute and I felt like I should have a picture here to make this post less depressing.

Dark Kisses

2009-04-11T00:03:00.003+01:00

I want to go here
I wish to wear this
I like to listen to this

2009-04-06T17:37:00.002+01:00

Ok I just realised my comments only allowed registered people to post. Now its a FREE FOR ALL.

Hearts, Diamonds and Spades

2009-04-05T13:46:00.002+01:00

Ughh I'm so lazy, I'm supposed to be starting my lab report but I am of a procrastinating nature. Instead I made a nice picture to send to Imogen Heap.

Magical items

2009-04-02T21:56:00.005+01:00

I am supposed to be doing more productive things but tonight I am so tired. So I'm just going to do some blogging and then maybe have a bath or something. I wish I was back in London because there is so much stuff happening! Obama is here! JK Rowling is also in London and I'm jealous because some lucky lucky people are going to see her reading at the Royal Opera House. Highly unfair. However, isn't she looking lovely? Come on Jo, I'm not going to be in Edinburgh much longer! Hurry up and accidentally bump into me in a cafe whilst I coincidentally have a Harry Potter book in my bag.

Also in London at the moment is this amazing steampunky Victorian invention known as a Telectroscope, by Tower Bridge. I think it works using fibre optics, but the magic of this thing allows you to see America! Its so gothic and so magical. I hope it's still there when I get back.
Other extraordinary things that blow my mind with their greatness:

The Where the wild things are trailer makes me think October is too far away. Glorious! If I had written that book I'd be fulfilled.

This confuses and confounds me. My stubborn nature makes me refuse to give up on this but it's practically impossible. In fact I don't believe I've got past the first two pages.

Squink. My most wanted book OF THE YEAR. Dave McKean is terrifying, thrilling and inspiring. Seriously I'm telling you about this but please don't go and buy it or I might cry because they are limited edition and if there aren't going to be any left by the time I have money I'll be forced to buy it for just about a million pounds on the internet. I mean, unless you are buying it for me, in which case, go ahead.

Anyway, see ya later chipsticks. I gotta head to bed.

kiss the world

2009-03-28T22:14:00.003Z

If you are reading my blog let me know, I want to talk to you. YES! YOU!

Yesterday we went to London on a jaunt of sorts, mostly just meandered quite aimlessly. On my travels, I discovered an AMAZING SHOP, Desigual. It looks insane when you walk in because it is sooo multicoloured, its like something exploded, but all the clothes are beautifully made and I want ALL of them.

Are you smarter than John Noe?

2009-03-26T23:43:00.001Z

I'm listening to Pottercast live for the first time....it's awesome. Soooo awesome. Ok now you all know I'm a geek.

579_(

2009-03-26T18:30:00.005Z

"Sometimes I see an expression on Clare's face that is like a closed door. She has gone inside the room of her mind and is sitting there knitting or something."

One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And Death shall be sitting in the kitchen in his underwear at three in the morning, doing last week's crossword puzzle-"

I have just finished reading "The Time Traveler's Wife", a sad and extraordinary book.
(Also after about 2 years my keyboard has finally been replaced! And now I have the joys of the enter button (and others) back!)

I can never think of something cool enough to write here

2009-03-23T11:39:00.003Z

Me and Patrick are obsessed with Kate Beaton. She is hilarious and way too cool. Its really sunny again today and the sequins on my jumper make sparkly patterns when I move. If you're bored you should check out my friend Kate's radio station and listen to her Arts Attack show, especially because Patrick is being interviewed on it this week! Only joking, check it out. Going to PACK NOW (boring).

It's a fiasco!

2009-03-22T22:27:00.008Z

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! I'm feeling a little hyper but tired! Tonight I got to eat pretty sparkley cupcakes for charity and watch a friend of mines very good band, The Als and the Pussycats, at Cabaret Voltaire. Nice sunday laid back fun. I have had a nice week altogether in fact, very busy but nice. A successful Art Society exhibition, a sunny, victorious football match, laughter at The Improverts, learning about Sororities, popcorn at work, making a bonfire and now I can smell my fruit cake cooking in the oven....mmm lemony. I get to go home tomorrow so I am glad.

Sadly I should start doing some work soon seeing as THE FINAL TERM is soon dawning. I think I will read some papers etc this holiday. I am excited because Imogen Heap is inviting people to send her artwork samples so that you can design her new album....like, what. She is amazing. So I'm going to spend some time attempting that. ALSO. I JUST FOUND SOMETHING TRUELY AWESOME. Owning this would totally make my love for watermelon things fulfilled. That picture is courtesy of an artistic duo called Kozyndan, who create amazingly detailed surreal works of art, beautiful photos and are just generally extremely cool people. They are fabulous and I'd love to meet them, they are inspiring. I'm happy that once they came to Edinburgh and that I own their bunny tshirt.Mmm I just took my marzipan-lemon-fruitcake out of the oven and it looks so dense and warm and wooonderfuuul. I guess I should go, I have been blogging throughout the course of a film and Dirty Sexy Money. I hope it's sunny tomorrow for my train journey! Au revoir!

Oeuf!

2009-03-18T23:36:00.003Z

I have been trying to draw this evening and I have been failing. I think the key is to keep doing it and not expect each thing to be good straight away. I dislike this reality intensely. Anyway, if I draw anything worthwhile I'll let you know. Only two more days of labs until holidays, so therefore only two more days of screwing up experiments and being generally incompetent. yesss. Goodnight chickens, sleep well and make sure you follow my blog. Very good. x

Listen!

2009-03-17T23:30:00.003Z

Oh goodness me! I have completed the puzzle. My quest is over! Aided by my esteemed friend Lizzy, the elusive 50p has been uncovered. Thank you Lizzy. I feel like something magical has happened now that I have assembled all the pieces, like in the Ocarina of Time. I find all the bits of my triforce (or coins whatever) and then....BA BA BA BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I feel I deserve a dramatic sound effect and a baddie to fight. Where is Ganondorf!? x

I'm having a science overload

2009-03-17T00:08:00.003Z

So science is SUPPOSED to make you feel stupid. In fact you're MEANT to be stupid. That makes me feel better.

Very food based

2009-03-03T21:10:00.004Z

Ohh, I just got a text from my Mum saying she was having dinner alone. Thinking about people eating alone sometimes makes me feel really sad. I am not sure why but it makes me feel weird inside. Silly really as loads of people eat alone all the time. Speaking of eating food, today started rather spectacularly as Matt made us all a massive fried breakfast this morning. Hash browns are a luxury reserved for school trips and Matt-breakfasts only. As a result I felt extremely full ALL day. To add to this overindulgence I made a chocolate and pumpkin bread pudding this evening using some leftover pumpkin from Halloween (NB: we have stored this pumpkin like squirrels/bears/beavers whatever for about 4 months, we are truely resourceful are we not?).

Anyway I have a few nice bits and pieces to post. Firstly I squealed with delight when I found that Tom Gauld has a Flickr with all of his illustrations from the Guardian. Happiness. Secondly I wept (not really but close) because Kid Koala arranges these really awesome evenings of quiet time music to be creative to. I'm weeping because it is in Montreal which is extremely far away. Quiet people are invited. No dancing. Actually, this sounds like the kind of thing I'd love to organise. Hmm. Thirdly Olivier Tallec has some lovely illustrations (which have a slight Quentin Blakey kinda feel to them). J'adore parce que my french has disappeared on me. Sur le weekend j'ai vu le film en francais appele "Hors de Prix" ou "Priceless" en anglais, starring the beautiful Audrey Tautou who was being particularly amusing avec her co-star Gad Elmaleh. Amuuuuuuusing. Amuse bouches. I also saw "He's just not that into you" yesterday with an old friend which was amazing fun and I laughed and cried simultaneously. This has taken me ages to write, my hot water bottle is lukewarm and my toes are cold. Not cool. I must go and shower I think. L x

New Slang when you notice the stripes

2009-03-01T12:36:00.002Z

Above me, someone is playing the The Shins, it is sunny and it is Sunday, these things make me happy. See you later I'm going for a walk. x

ETA: I went out and it hailed. WHAT. This is the most temperamental city and I do NOT understand. Very upsetting.

Bicycle Messenger

2009-02-28T16:49:00.002Z

How cool! Maybe I should get a bicycle.

Ruffles

2009-02-28T15:07:00.004Z

Katie Henry makes amazing ruffled bags out of lots of beautiful vintage fabrics. I wish I had her dedication and drive, she is incredibly talented and I wish someone would buy me one of her shoulderbags. In particular I am in love with this one:
In other news, I am pining for the sun. PINING. It was quite sunny this morning but now it's all dull and grey. I can't wait to live somewhere where there is sunshine all the time. Mmm warm concrete, blue sky and sun on your face. Anyway, blogging is a bit boring when no one is reading, so if you are, speak up, or follow me because it's a bit disappointing speaking to no one. x

Skins skins skins....

2009-02-26T22:18:00.001Z

....it's not as good as last series. And the boys are not pretty.

How amuuusing

2009-02-25T23:14:00.004Z

hehe, also:
(By the way sorry if this distracts you, there's loads of them and they are all greatly amusing!)