Sunday 19 December 2010

Post Secret

I have had some really nice comments left lately which have resulted in me stumbling across some great new blogs! I found out about a website called postsecret through the lovely Erin Jo, her blog is really inspirational and worth checking out!

Post secret is a community art project where people send in a postcard anonymously with their secret written on it. A project after my own heart! Plus some of the ones I found were quite amusing! <3









xxx

Tuesday 14 December 2010

Girl with a Pearl Earring

The lack of blogging recently has been down to my latest design project, I have finally handed this in, all over with :) And I am happy with the result!



My project was based on the novel by Tracey Chevalier 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'.
It is very different from my usual work, as I was told I must use colour. (I am really more of a neutral kind of girl...) To make my project clearly relate to the theme my colour palette was based on colours from Vermeer's masterpiece paining - the inspiration behind Chevalier's conspiracy novel.



I researched symbolism of insects, inspired by Dutch floral paintings created at the time of Vermeer. The moth represents 'a dangerous attraction leading to unhappiness' This is very in-keeping with the main storyline of the novel so I included this within my project.





Narrative is also important to me, I wrote out sections of the novel in 17th century handwriting and incorporated this into my design work.





Now I have to begin the task of deciding what to do next!

xxx

Friday 3 December 2010

Winter Wonderland

It's so so cold! I just want to curl up in bed and sleep.
My deadline has been moved back 4 days because of the snow, I wanted it to be on Monday to get it out of the way, but think I may need the extra time to finish everything! I feel so exhausted I have run out of energy completely!

I did get ridiculously excited about the snow though, the view from our bedroom window was pretty gorgeous <3 I really do wish I had been back home in Sheffield though they have had snow two feet deep!





I also put up the Christmas tree and other trimmings! Because there is no such thing as to many fairy lights! It looks at lot cosier at night and the candles give off lovely Christmas smells, I think it is time for mulled wine and mince pies :)



I can't wait until next Friday night when I will be able to put my feet up and have a lot fewer worries! Expect a project post soon with this terms design work <3

xxx

Friday 26 November 2010

Everything in time

Do you ever see a picture of yourself from many years ago that completely takes you by surprise? For my cousins 21st my Auntie put together a collection of pictures through the years, one of which included me!



I couldn't believe my eyes seeing this picture! I can't ever remember looking like that! I am pretty sure I was 13 in this picture, I had just got braces fitted on my bottom teeth and remember the pain I was in for days!

Looking back at myself here I find, the baggy clothes, undyed hair, and make-up free face so refreshing.

I always thought I had quite strict parents, they never let me go to teen club nights (I was 18 before I stepped foot in a club).

I was thirteen before I was allowed my ears pierced, 16 before I was allowed highlights in my hair.

And despite many long hours of tantrums and arguments my mum never let me have my belly button pierced when it was the cool thing to do, my argument in these instances was always the same - "EVERYONE seriously EVERYONE is allowed to do these things". To which my mum always replied - "Everyone else is not my daughter, I'm not interested in what everyone else does".

I was never allowed to boy/girl sleepovers which were regular accurences among my friends. I had moved out before I was allowed to sleepover at a boyfrinds house, and of course the rules surrounding boyfriends are still firmly in place when I go back home.

At the time I could not understand where my parents were coming from, I hated the rules. Lying to them was not an option - they were my means of transportation, and they knew all my friends parents, speaking to them regularly so they would know if I hadn't been somewhere I said I was.

The one time I did lie about an after prom party my mum phoned the house of the girl to ask if it was a boy/girl sleepover to my total humiliation. The compromise ended up being I could go but dad would pick me up at 3am.

Today I have an INCREDIBLE amount of respect for my parents. How they coped with the arguments and tantrums I have no idea. I sure as hell didn't go easy on them, I could tell how strained they were, and always pushed things but they never gave in to me.

The one thing they never did was give me a bedtime, or tell me how to dress, which I was grateful for, but from looking at the photo you can probably see why! I always dressed in baggy clothes, t-shirts and jeans. All the rules my parents put in place allowed me to have a childhood, I never acted older then my years despite wanting to, because it was never an option.

When I look at 13yr olds today it is scary how much older they look, how they post provocative pictures on facebook, dress every day how I only ever dress for a night out. Standing next to my 13year old cousin I feel so plain! She is stunning, and with her hair, make-up, and style she could easily pass for 17. It makes me worry, how insanely hard will it be for our generation to raise a child in today's world?

I just hope I manage to be a strong as my parents were when raising me, I have them to thank for my morals, and my relationship with them now is stronger then ever. I am actually thankful for all the rules I had during my teen years!

xxx

Thursday 25 November 2010

Get where I belong

How is it possible to feel nostalgia for a world I never knew?

















xxx

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Get Festive

As some of my work has been requested and we are entering the festive season here are some of my old Christmas card designs :)











I have only recently gone through these photos to enter a Christmas card competition, having these at the ready I thought why not?

I made these last year, and my recent cards have much smaller designs so I can produce them much more quickly and cost effectively. I also got rid of my hand writing and replaced this with printed text.

To say these were my first attempt at professional cards I don't think they were bad prototypes! I feel all festive at the minuet and am thinking of presents and gifts already, is it too early to make a Christmas play-list?

Christmas is such a nice time of year, everyone seems happier and makes more effort to see the people they love <3
Christmas makes me think of being cosy inside, decorations, the smell of pine and spices like cinnamon, mulled wine and good food, time with family, time with friends, and of course the odd party and dance around :)

xxx

Sunday 21 November 2010

My People

On an Amazon hunt for cheap songs I came across this:



Much better then the Letters to Cleo version I used to love in my early teen years!

It funny how songs take you back, This one was playing at Camel club during my first week away from home as a fresher. The first night two of my favourite people in the entire world visited me:



What followed was one of the best years of my life, but I miss these girls like a limb. Seriously bad I hope they realise how much.

There are some friends that you can barley even speak to any more yet you still feel like you can't imagine life without them, and when you do see each other you just seem to pick up where you left off, I'm lucky enough to have 3 of these (Elizabeth Laughton you are the other!) <3

xxx

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Strange and Beautiful













Love makes you do crazy things, insane things. Things in a million years you'd never see yourself do. But there you are doing them... can't help it.

Da Ya think I'm Sexy



I love this song right now I must have played it a billion times today and I think it is driving John slightly mad hehe <3

This is my 100th blog so kind of a milestone :)
What are everyone's favourite posts about so far?
My blog is quite random I just write what I'm liking at the time, I like the way blogs capture a certain moment in time, what you are thinking or feeling.

Personally my favourite blogs are about pretty things, general life, and completely open and honest so if anyone has any recommends let me know!

Thank you for following my ramblings, and hello new followers :) <3

xxx

Friday 12 November 2010

Till the sun burns out

My bonfire was better then yours <3



We always make a huge deal of bonfire night, it is one of my favourite nights of the year, one I always make it home for we have bonfire food, and hot chocolate round the fire which gets bigger and bigger each year (Possibly down to the ridiculous amounts of diesel thrown on to it)!





Living across from a big field always means we have a great view of the whole towns fireworks too. Amazing <3

Obsessions

Do you ever get obsessions with things and then one day wake up and you are over it?
I get like that with food, I eat something, love it and eat it every single week until I don't want it anymore!

There are thinks I love and can't afford to eat all the time though like Thai food and sushi, I loveeeee sushi. I don't think I will be going off these any time soon they are real treats! Also binging on something amazing like a whole party sized bag of crisps in one go, or home cooked Eve's pudding is my fave thing ever. I rarely bake because when I do I eat it all at once then feel terribly guilty. I loved it when I was in college. Before I came to uni I could binge on bad food all day long and not gain a pound in weight. I MISS THOSE DAYS.

I get obsessions with music, when I was in secondary school I would listen to one album on repete for a whole week, or even a whole month. I don't think I could do that anymore but back in the day all I owned was a CD walkman. I had a tape player walkman before that, that was amazing I used to listen to Harry Potter tapes all night long. I went back home for bonfire night and slept on my little brothers floor, he was playing one of the old tapes I love how things like that take you back.

I definatly get obsessions with films, these always stay the same because it is so rare to find a film that captures me so bad I have to draw, quote and find infinite pictures from it. I'm sure a quick scroll through my blog will show you a few of these :)

What are your obsessions?

xxx

Tuesday 9 November 2010

Stardust



Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?

Wrap me up in a fairytale tonight please <3

xxx

Friday 5 November 2010

Catch My Disease



Have you ever seen this show?
If not you should watch it.
It is amazing and addictive, I am really really missing it.
I want the next season to hurry up and come out!

It has a great soundtrack, and depite its humour is quite a depressing show but I just can't get enough of Grey's

xxx

O Verona









Be my Romeo and I will be your Juliet

xxx

Tuesday 2 November 2010

One Stolen Moment

1.
What color are your socks right now?
I am barefoot. My feet are under a big black blanket but my toes are still slightly cold....
2.
What are you listening to right now?
The raindrops, there are lots, I love how I have an attic room, When I lie in bed I can look up at the stars <3
3.
What was the last thing you ate?
A rich tea biscuit soaked in tea, I am so glad I can drink tea again.
4.
Can you drive a stick shift?
No. I can't drive at all.
5.
Last person you spoke to on the phone
my dad phoned me last night. That was nice that he chose to talk to me, my family don't phone much they are busy people. There is a gemini inside of me that wants to talk constantly.
6.
Do you like the person who sent this to you?
I want sent it I stole it but yes I like her very much, I hope she doesn't mind that I stole her quiz, I can't resist these things! I have the need to answer questions I like how my brain suprises me.
7.
How old are you today?
guess?
8.
What is your favorite sport to watch on TV
None at all
9.
What is your favorite drink?
Robinsons pink grapefruit dilute.
10.
Have you ever dyed your hair
yes.
11.
Favorite food?
ice cream and thai food
12.
What is the last movie you watched?
An American Werewolf in London I loved that film it suprised me hehe
13.
Favorite day of the year?
November 5th or the saturday after this date
14.
How do you vent?
I don't vent I cry.
15.
What was your favorite toy as a child?
Fur, she was a white fluffy little dog, but now she is an off white dog with dreadlocked fur. She lives in my bedroom back home <3
16.
What is your favorite season?
I like all of the seasons I always change my mind.
17.
Cherries, strawberries, or Blueberries?
strawberries every time
18.
Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
I don't email my friends, email isn't really my thing but i like it when the text/ring me :)
19.
Who is the most likely to respond?
John <3
20.
Who is least likely to respond?
my mum probably!!
21.
Living situation?
in a little town apartment with my mr <3
i love it.
22.
When was the last time you cried?
this afternoon.
23.
What is on the floor of your closet right now?
Bags of things and shoes
24.
Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?
sending to? Am I meant to pass this on?
25.
What did you do last night?
I spoke to my dad, started some work and had a wonderful jacuzzi bubble bath.
26.
What are you most afraid of?
being alone in the dark.
27.
Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
I don't like burgers but I eat everything with cheese, I used to think I was meant to be a mouse.
28.
Favorite dog breed?
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh errrrrrrrrrrmmmmm Maybe husky dogs?
29.
Favorite day of the week
saturdays or sundays
30.
How many states have you lived in?
none
31.
Diamonds or pearls?
diamonds are a girls best friend...
32.
What is your favorite flower?
white lilys <3

xxx

Sunday 24 October 2010

Tell me something I don't know

Tell me
If you didn't know me what would you think about me?

Would you think I was a pink person or a blue person?
Would you think I was a rom-com or a thriller kind of girl?
or maybe just a damn unusual girl?
A girl who always has to have the latest designer labels or is happier in pajamas?
A girl who is shy or outgoing?
Someone that over-thinks every little thing or someone impulsive?
Someone who lives in the real world or the worlds she creates for herself?
A person who fits in or someone who doesn't really fit anywhere?
A girl who cares what other people think or a girl who doesn't?
Someone who eats the icing and leaves the cake or eats the cake and leaves the icing?
A person who likes the finer things or is happy without?
Someone hard to read or open like a book?
A realist or an idealist?
A girl who you think you know but don't, or a girl who you think you don't know but actually do?




xxx

Take me anywhere

Friday I went to manchester to the contemporary craft fair. It was a good day :)

Saturday I was mega busy during the day. I spent a long time cleaning and now the flat is beautifulllll, did the food shopping and then John's parents came over.

In the eavening I watched Dawsons, Xfactor, and the Cheryl interview whilst finding 7pages of pictures for my visual diary.

So I didn't do a whole lot of work for 2days in a row. Before these two days I have been working pretty solidly through my days, only usually stopping for a few hours to eat.

Having the last two days off pretty much has made me lazy. I really really don't want to write 2000 words and find quotes for tuesday. I have my next tutorial on thursday but don't think I will have anything new to show. Thats not really a good thing. Oh well.

I am going into town soon. I might treat myself to something nice <3
I am in love with Tegan and Sara today (and everyday but especially today)



xxx

Friday 22 October 2010

Wouldn't it be nice....



I recently stumbled across something amazing, a blog about a girl who lives in a boat shed. This is actually the view from her window, I completly fell in love.

Not to long ago John and I were discussing what we want to do in an ideal world.
We decided we want to move far far away, New Zealand to be exact <3

Despite our degrees we were both in agreement that a happy life as poor people was far better then the work filled life of rich people, I wouldn't say either of us are particually ambitious, when thinking of our future lifestyle is definatly way ahead of our careers. Although we both definatly want jobs they only have to allow us to get by.

Luckily I feel I need very little in the way of possesions to be happy, I am far from materialistic.

The main thing that is important is living, we would love to move somewhere idilic even if it is as tiny as a boat shed. Somewhere foreign over looking the sea is my idea of heaven.

I actually would love to be one of those people that goes out and gives boat tours of coral reefs or assist tourists swimming with dolphins. I am never happier then when I am by the sea with sand beneath my feet.

This may seem crazy but that is honestly what I would love, the fact that this is a shared dream makes it all the more exciting. Even if it takes me forever to get there one day I can promise I will live by a beautiful beach <3

xxx

Thursday 21 October 2010

Lost in translation











Let's never come here again because it will never be as much fun.

xxx