...think am addicted to Twitter.
See, even writing in less than 140 characters here!
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Friday, 6 March 2009
And it was all Yellow...
Joined that there Twitter last night. I am so Down With The Kids now. Well, Stephen Fry (Honorary Dad) does it, so it must be cool, right? Got my updates over there on the right hand side. As you can see, I'm just about to pop out and enjoy a bit more yellow stuff.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Updated Shop Shocker! Again!
I've added a few bits to my Folksy shop tonight. Go, go line my pocket.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Somewhere to Sit!
At last!
Klippan sofas have certainly changed since I last bought one four years ago. They now come in four parts you have to screw together. Definitely makes the whole package smaller and it easier to move around, but if you're by yourself and totally unprepared for it, it's a bit of a shock! As for fitting the cover.....whoa.
Klippan sofas have certainly changed since I last bought one four years ago. They now come in four parts you have to screw together. Definitely makes the whole package smaller and it easier to move around, but if you're by yourself and totally unprepared for it, it's a bit of a shock! As for fitting the cover.....whoa.
Monday, 2 March 2009
1st June??!!!
This Amazon page tells me the first pirates book, "Crash Landing" is available to pre-order for publication on 1st June! Awesome.
Friday, 27 February 2009
Friday, 20 February 2009
Dye Workshop
Today Steph and I went over to the lovely Jan's in Hove to do a bit of hand-dyeing. Jan is a yarn-dyer extraordinaire and was willing (crazy) enough to teach the pair of us a couple of different techniques. It was awesome, in a word. I dyed two skiens. The first I hope will become Hufflepuff socks in black and yellow stripes and flecks. This one was "painted" using a sponge and a pipet.
The other skien - a nice, mottled green which we christened "Eden" - was coloured using what we termed the "dribble and turn" method. Basically, you dribble your chosen dye(s) randomly over it, then turn it over and repeat. Easy, huh? The picture shows the near-completed skien just with a few un-dyed patches left to cover.
Once we were done, the damp skiens were covered in clingfilm, nuked in the microwave, then left to cool. I shall collect my finished products on Wednesday once they're properly dry. Can't wait!
The other skien - a nice, mottled green which we christened "Eden" - was coloured using what we termed the "dribble and turn" method. Basically, you dribble your chosen dye(s) randomly over it, then turn it over and repeat. Easy, huh? The picture shows the near-completed skien just with a few un-dyed patches left to cover.
Once we were done, the damp skiens were covered in clingfilm, nuked in the microwave, then left to cool. I shall collect my finished products on Wednesday once they're properly dry. Can't wait!
Thursday, 12 February 2009
The Ultimate Reward
Last Friday I finally got paid from a job I did in the summer. I promised myself, as it was a decent amount of money (thank Gawd, as the job itself turned into a nightmare), that once it came in, I would at last buy myself the one kitchen appliance I have wanted for about five years:
Hom nom nom.
Previous Boyfriend always told me I couldn't have one. I think he thought it was too much money to spend on a toaster, but it's a quality product and will last years and years. Maybe my un-born nephews and nieces can inherit it and make toast with it well into the next half of the century. I also bought it online for a totally bargainous price, so all in all, I am uber chuffed.
Oh, and of course, it makes excellent toast.
Hom nom nom.
Previous Boyfriend always told me I couldn't have one. I think he thought it was too much money to spend on a toaster, but it's a quality product and will last years and years. Maybe my un-born nephews and nieces can inherit it and make toast with it well into the next half of the century. I also bought it online for a totally bargainous price, so all in all, I am uber chuffed.
Oh, and of course, it makes excellent toast.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Monday, 2 February 2009
Snow Day!
I was going to post yesterday about how spring-like everything was suddenly beginning to feel, but then we got this:
I am supposed to be working at a branch library right now, but as there are no buses today I can't get there. Apparently all the libraries are shut, anyway. As are the schools.* And a lot of offices. Bizarre. A proper, bona fide Snow Day! We just don't get snow like this; not since I was a lil'un, anyway. And it's doubly bizarre in Brighton as we're on the coast and that usually means it doesn't lay even if a few flakes do fall. I'm not complaining, though. I love the snow. I love how peaceful it makes everything. I'm going to potter about today; working on colouring up Frogs III, a bit of housework, then I think hot chocolate, knitting and a good film under the duvet. Lovely.
* I just have to say, what are young fella-me-lads of around 14/15 years of age thinking when they go outside with just a hoodie on, but no coat, scarf, gloves or even proper shoes? What a way to ruin your Converse, says Grandma over here.
I am supposed to be working at a branch library right now, but as there are no buses today I can't get there. Apparently all the libraries are shut, anyway. As are the schools.* And a lot of offices. Bizarre. A proper, bona fide Snow Day! We just don't get snow like this; not since I was a lil'un, anyway. And it's doubly bizarre in Brighton as we're on the coast and that usually means it doesn't lay even if a few flakes do fall. I'm not complaining, though. I love the snow. I love how peaceful it makes everything. I'm going to potter about today; working on colouring up Frogs III, a bit of housework, then I think hot chocolate, knitting and a good film under the duvet. Lovely.
* I just have to say, what are young fella-me-lads of around 14/15 years of age thinking when they go outside with just a hoodie on, but no coat, scarf, gloves or even proper shoes? What a way to ruin your Converse, says Grandma over here.
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Screenprinting Week 3
A few photos from last night's session:
Awesome old till they have there.
I am printing a Spooky Alphabet. It's an idea I've had rattling around for a good two years but finally I've had the opportunity to do something with it.
The one really clear image I've had in my head all that time is "H is for Haunted House". In my mind, it's always been a square format and purely black and white. You are looking down on the house and a ghost or two flutters from the window frames like ripped curtains. I don't know what it is - and I'm sure it's not just me - but I very rarely can I take what I can see in my brain and reproduce it exactly on the page (it's like singing, I suppose. In your head you sound great, but out loud....eek), but here is my approximation up close:
As much I like this, this sneaky second, longer, thinner version started appearing...:
...and I went with that.
The past two weeks we have been learning the basics - how to make a screen and how to print from it. This week we learned how to produce a "possie" (positive) from a drawn/computer generated/photographic image and made our own screens from it. There's a lot to remember from two weeks ago and I was thankful I made lots of notes afterwards! I still made a few mistakes making up my screen, but I think it's one of those things that you just learn by doing over and over. I managed to print the backgrounds (the orange part of my image up there), one lot in a dark orange and another lot in a sparkly limey green, and I'll go back and print the "key line" (ie, the outline, or everything that's black above) next week. Can't wait! It's so much fun and I really feel like I'm "creating" something. Obviously I create images all the time, but I'm really enjoying the physical aspect of this. Who needs weight training, eh?
Awesome old till they have there.
I am printing a Spooky Alphabet. It's an idea I've had rattling around for a good two years but finally I've had the opportunity to do something with it.
The one really clear image I've had in my head all that time is "H is for Haunted House". In my mind, it's always been a square format and purely black and white. You are looking down on the house and a ghost or two flutters from the window frames like ripped curtains. I don't know what it is - and I'm sure it's not just me - but I very rarely can I take what I can see in my brain and reproduce it exactly on the page (it's like singing, I suppose. In your head you sound great, but out loud....eek), but here is my approximation up close:
As much I like this, this sneaky second, longer, thinner version started appearing...:
...and I went with that.
The past two weeks we have been learning the basics - how to make a screen and how to print from it. This week we learned how to produce a "possie" (positive) from a drawn/computer generated/photographic image and made our own screens from it. There's a lot to remember from two weeks ago and I was thankful I made lots of notes afterwards! I still made a few mistakes making up my screen, but I think it's one of those things that you just learn by doing over and over. I managed to print the backgrounds (the orange part of my image up there), one lot in a dark orange and another lot in a sparkly limey green, and I'll go back and print the "key line" (ie, the outline, or everything that's black above) next week. Can't wait! It's so much fun and I really feel like I'm "creating" something. Obviously I create images all the time, but I'm really enjoying the physical aspect of this. Who needs weight training, eh?
Monday, 26 January 2009
Screenprinting Week 2
Well, I took my camera with me and everything but I was so wrapped up in the actual printing I completely forgot to take any photos. So I've taken pictures of some of my finished prints instead:
I made two simple screens, one with strips of torn black paper and one with lines cut out of film. We were suppose to make the two screens line up in some way, but once I started printing I preferred just layering the one screen upon itself in different colours. I really like how using only two colours looks, so I've come up with an idea for a two-colour print to work on for the next couple of weeks.
Watch this space!
I made two simple screens, one with strips of torn black paper and one with lines cut out of film. We were suppose to make the two screens line up in some way, but once I started printing I preferred just layering the one screen upon itself in different colours. I really like how using only two colours looks, so I've come up with an idea for a two-colour print to work on for the next couple of weeks.
Watch this space!
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Monday, 19 January 2009
Ummm....Happy New Year?
Bit late, I realise, but you know how it is when you sit down to work on the 2nd January and then you don't stop til the 17th, right? Nearly four weeks late it might be, but here's my Christmas dinner:
So finally I have chance to blog, although I don't really have that much to blog about! My Christmas was very relaxing, then I was chucked straight in to finishing two projects and roughing out a third. That's where I've been for the past few weeks.
In more exciting news, last Tuesday I started an eight-week screenprinting course, which I'm so far very much enjoying. I'm going to take my camera with me tomorrow night to document my processes. Hopefully it'll also help me remember all the stuff I need to do to get the process right! The aim of the course is to enable you to come in and use the print studio by yourself without supervision, so I'm hoping I will be able to produce some more personal work this way.
So finally I have chance to blog, although I don't really have that much to blog about! My Christmas was very relaxing, then I was chucked straight in to finishing two projects and roughing out a third. That's where I've been for the past few weeks.
In more exciting news, last Tuesday I started an eight-week screenprinting course, which I'm so far very much enjoying. I'm going to take my camera with me tomorrow night to document my processes. Hopefully it'll also help me remember all the stuff I need to do to get the process right! The aim of the course is to enable you to come in and use the print studio by yourself without supervision, so I'm hoping I will be able to produce some more personal work this way.
Monday, 22 December 2008
Burning of the Clocks
Brighton's annual celebration of the Winter Solstice involving a parade and burning of paper lanterns, followed by a bonfire and firework display on the beach to welcome the coming of the longer days.
Friday, 19 December 2008
Tales from Porth
Last August I was contacted to do a set of books to help people learn to speak Cornish. This time last year I had begun working on them, they were finished in April this year, and yesterday I finally got my set of books through.
I drew the characters, and the other illustrator, Brian Hoskin, drew the backgrounds and coloured everything. Some of my ideas and sketches for the project are blogged here.
I am pretty chuffed with these. It's one of those rare instances where you get the finished product through all those months later and you're not completely embarrassed by it. I love how they come in a little box, and there's an interactive CD, too, but I haven't tried it out yet. The website for the books is pretty awesome, too.
It was a pretty interesting project to work on. Not only because I was working in a small team with another illustrator colouring my work and that was all new and exciting, but because I had my "breakthrough" while doing it - rediscovering my on-going love of the dip-pen. Not that it wasn't incredibly difficult at times. I nearly resigned twice, but I'm glad I stuck with it. It taught me that I can use sketchbooks and I can work out ideas over pages and pages without the "Oh-my-God-I-have-to-have-a-proper-finished-idea-NOW!" feeling. The way I draw things now - like birds for example - is totally influenced by how I worked here. But it's turned out really well. There are plans for another set, but it all depends on budgets and costings and all that other complicated stuff.
I have to say, the thing I remember most about the end of the project, when the deadline was drawing closer and closer and things were really moving, was the dread that Amy Winehouse would do something stupid and our Goraswonnek ("Celebrity") would have to be completely redone!
The best thing of all about this project is that it gave me the money and the freedom to move into my own place, and I love it just for that.
I drew the characters, and the other illustrator, Brian Hoskin, drew the backgrounds and coloured everything. Some of my ideas and sketches for the project are blogged here.
I am pretty chuffed with these. It's one of those rare instances where you get the finished product through all those months later and you're not completely embarrassed by it. I love how they come in a little box, and there's an interactive CD, too, but I haven't tried it out yet. The website for the books is pretty awesome, too.
It was a pretty interesting project to work on. Not only because I was working in a small team with another illustrator colouring my work and that was all new and exciting, but because I had my "breakthrough" while doing it - rediscovering my on-going love of the dip-pen. Not that it wasn't incredibly difficult at times. I nearly resigned twice, but I'm glad I stuck with it. It taught me that I can use sketchbooks and I can work out ideas over pages and pages without the "Oh-my-God-I-have-to-have-a-proper-finished-idea-NOW!" feeling. The way I draw things now - like birds for example - is totally influenced by how I worked here. But it's turned out really well. There are plans for another set, but it all depends on budgets and costings and all that other complicated stuff.
I have to say, the thing I remember most about the end of the project, when the deadline was drawing closer and closer and things were really moving, was the dread that Amy Winehouse would do something stupid and our Goraswonnek ("Celebrity") would have to be completely redone!
The best thing of all about this project is that it gave me the money and the freedom to move into my own place, and I love it just for that.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
I have feedback!
And it's pretty good. There wasn't too much to change, so I've already sent back my revisions. Hope they're OK. The Evil Cold is well on its way out as well, so that's good too.
Monday, 15 December 2008
Wonder Bear
I came across this fantastic book by Tao Nyeu while working at one of the branch libraries last week:
It's entirely screenprinted and wordless.
The blurb on the back flap reads: "(Tao Nyeu) attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City, receiving her MFA in Illustration in 2007. Wonder Bear was her thesis project, inspired by an odd-looking gummy bear with magical powers. (It was promptly eaten.)" Hehe.
Can't wait to start my screenprinting course in January now.
PS Still waiting.
It's entirely screenprinted and wordless.
The blurb on the back flap reads: "(Tao Nyeu) attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City, receiving her MFA in Illustration in 2007. Wonder Bear was her thesis project, inspired by an odd-looking gummy bear with magical powers. (It was promptly eaten.)" Hehe.
Can't wait to start my screenprinting course in January now.
PS Still waiting.
Sunday, 14 December 2008
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