29 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

Watched the England v Holland friendly and wasn't overly impressed - although a few players showed a bit of spark.

28 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

Watched Whitechapel tonight which was a bit of a mistake just before bed, as I get scared really easily - it is a really good show though!

27 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

Tired, so very tired, yet I just can't seem to sleep well lately - grrrr.

Dirty Lego Bench Monday!


Panic! This Lego lady takes a break from cleaning her spotless home to wash that terrible mess off of her garden bench. We can't have the neighbours seeing such a mess now, can we?!! 

26 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

One of the best features online, in my opinion, is the Amazon wishlist - mine is always filling up and changing, and now you can add anything at all from any website, it just got a million percent better!! Now I just need someone to buy it all for me.

25 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

Writing this the day after because my post from 25th has disappeared! Can't remember quite what I wrote but never mind.

The weather around here (UK) has been crazy this month - freezing with snow and then no-coat hot - bonkers!


365 Projects - why, oh why?

Sometimes, even when you are well into a 365 project, you just have to stop and ask yourself why? Why did I decide to do this crazy thing? Why should I carry on? This moment can come at any time and for a variety of reasons. During my first 365 (the blue plush scientist), I never lost sight of why I was doing it, even on those days when I'd wander round my house aimlessly with him, trying to find any old thing to put in a photo. I was doing it because I wanted to complete my first long project, I loved playing with toys (yes, I know!), and it was going to be fun having a whole year of amusing photos to look back on. I wasn't doing it to improve my photography skills or to learn something about myself. It was just a fun idea.

Right now I'm on day 332 of my phone project - the end is in sight, and that is just as well because I'm truly quite bored with it. It's such a struggle trying to think of a new subject every day, even though artistic merit isn't that important. But then I ask myself why, and remind myself that this project was merely a way of documenting the mundane, everyday things of life. Yes I wanted to make those things seem vaguely interesting by using effects and composition, but it wasn't meant to be a life changing art project. It really helps to remind myself of this; every day until the end if I have to. I won't quit on it now!


You don't get more mundane than this!
As for my 365 self portrait project, it is still enjoyable most of the time. Some days I come up with really involved ideas, full of props, themes and different locations, and others I take a quick snapshot with my phone. The last few days I have had to ask myself that question though, just what do I think I'm getting out of the project?

Improving my photography skills - it's true that forcing myself to take a photo every day means that I can't let photography disappear the way some other hobbies have, and that the more I use my camera the better I will become. But, I haven't been trying that many new things really, and those days when it's a quick snapshot aren't teaching me anything at all. Overall I guess it has helped, mainly because I need the discipline of an every day project. 

Planned photo v quick snapshot


Feeling more confident about myself - this is the biggie for me. I've always hated photos of me. From the age of 10 onwards there had been only 1 photo that was bearable to look at. This project is helping so much. I'm now really used to seeing my own image, and am looking at it from an artistic point of view rather than searching out all the things I hate! I'm just modelling for myself. If I had a willing model to cart around with me at all times and pose as I wanted, that would be amazing, but I don't. I only have myself, and I'm very good at taking my own directions! I still hate other people taking photos of me, but that can be worked on some other time. It's helped me accept myself as I am a bit more I guess.

A photo of me actually smiling that I can bear to look at!


What can I try to focus on and improve for the rest of the project?

Try more new techniques/styles - I need to force myself to try out more ideas and not just rely on quick snapshots and tested favourite poses. I have lots of photography books, and a little time making some lists would be really inspiring.

Work a bit harder at using the manual settings on the camera - and not have to rely so much on post processing. I have been doing this to some extent (I'm getting the hang of aperture at last), but I rely too much on the P setting. I always alter white balance and ISO, but often I'll still need to alter the exposure afterwards.

Plan ahead sometimes - it can really help to choose a theme and come up with a number of ideas to use in the week ahead. It takes the pressure off having to come up with a fresh idea every day. My Halloween shots are a good example, and they were worked out weeks in advance because I was so excited about the scary props, especially the fake blood!

I'm definitely no expert, but my one piece of advice to anyone struggling with a 365 is to just stop and take stock - remember your reasons for starting it, think of ways to make it more fun again, and if all else fails just start by trying to take at least one photo a week that you spend more time on and can be really proud of. The encouragement and satisfaction you'll get from yourself is always a great motivator! Either that or buy yourself a bottle of fake blood and go wild!

24 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

I can so easily lose track of time when I get absorbed in something, and before I know it the whole evening has passed.

23 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

I am beyond excited with my new special purchase which will be arriving any day now - if I can work out how to use it I should be able to revamp my blog design to match my vision (I just need some html skills too)!

Animal Seamstress - A Weekend Outfit

Channelling my inner animal.....



Dress: Republic
Belt: Peacocks
Cardigan: Topshop
Boots: Marks & Spencer
Necklace: Etsy - My Lavaliere

22 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

Knitting in the round on 4 double pointed needles might look bonkers but I think I'm slowly getting the hang of it.

21 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

I'd really like to buy some vintage props for photos but everything online seems mega expensive, so I need to find some cheap funky shops nearby, or perhaps a trip to Hastings could be on the cards again?

20 February 2012

OSJ (17-20th Feb)

17th Feb: You can't play pool in a house with a very wonky floor.

18th Feb: Pan of truth can be a very funny game as long as you're not the one making a fool of yourself.

19th Feb: I need to spend some more time in the countryside, as that is where I feel so much freer and calm.

20th Feb: Today I put the finishing touches to my first ever knitted scarf, and I'm pretty darn pleased with it!

Sleepy Lego Bench Monday - Yawn!


It looks like this yawning fellow sleep-walked his way to the bench sometime around sunrise, if the colour of the sky is anything to go by. He even managed to take a mug of coffee with him. Lets hope that helps wake him up before his stroll all the way back home.

19 February 2012

Love is in the Air Week - Day 7


I started with wool and I'm ending with wool! I knitted this heart as part of a little project, to be revealed soon! I love this Blackout B&W effect on Camera Bag2 - it makes for a really strong image.

18 February 2012

Love is in the Air Week - Day 6


I think this one speaks for itself. I made this banner using a fab tutorial from Becky of Strumpets Crumpets.

17 February 2012

Love is in the Air Week - Day 5



Barbie and Ken; a relationship that has more or less stood the test of time, although I understand they did have a rocky patch back in 2004 (I am not kidding - go check out Wikipedia!!).

16 February 2012

Love is in the Air Week - Day 4


 A heart from Hamlet.

OSJ

It can be really useful to recreate ideas you've seen before, or that seem really obvious, but there is naturally a thin line between interpretation and copying.

15 February 2012

OSJ

Now I have managed to keep my nails (all bar one) for 6 weeks, I've treated myself to some fabulous OPI nail varnish from eBay, and they have such great names - Ginger Bells and Can You Dig It? !!

Love is in the Air Week - Day 3


The thing I love most about this one is the texture in the snow and the fact that it is undisturbed. It's a shame that the background isn't just snow, but my garden is pretty small and this was the best I could get. You can buy your own heart-on-a-stick from Poundland - 5 for a pound!

14 February 2012

OSJ

Had a lovely Valentine's Day - cupcakes, a red heart balloon and a Chinese takeaway!

Love is in the Air Week - Day 2

One of my little Valentine treats was a beautiful Red Velvet cupcake, which was promptly devoured. Actually, there were 2 of these and I ate them both, but ssshhh, don't tell anyone.

13 February 2012

OSJ

I'm not too sure if I like the new head-to-head round in Pointless, but it is still the greatest quiz show around by miles.

Love is in the Air Week! Day 1

Lately I've been lacking inspiration and oomph in some of my photos. The best advice I found to conquer these slumps is to work to a theme, and what else could I choose at this time of year than love. So for this week, there will be a lot of soppy, cute and sickly images for you to ooohh and aahhh at. 

Day 1 of Love Week represents my new love - knitting!

 

Happy Lego Bench Monday!



Love is in the air at the bench this week. He might have just picked that flower from the plant behind him, but it's the thought that counts.

12 February 2012

OSJ

I had been wondering why there isn't a film adaptation of George Orwell's novel1984, as it would no doubt be a big hit, so I just looked it up - apparently there have been 2 films of it already, but surely Hollywood could have another go soon, seeing as remakes are everywhere lately.

30 Before 30 Project Update


After a bit of a quiet time on my 30 before 30 project, I realised I only have 4 months to finish the whole list! Queue the panic. While I thought I'd been plodding merrily along, it turns out I've only actually ticked off 6 items. That is just 20% of the list in 67% of the time!!! Oops. In my defence, 4 items can't be completed until practically the last day, but that still leaves 20 things I haven't done yet! You might be able to tell that my tension levels are increasing as I write this. Perhaps I need that meditation class right now. 


So, I need to start tackling the list methodically. In the next couple of weeks I think I can complete numbers 3 (chopping), 10 (tea), 12 (earrings), 13 (embelish), and 18 (egg). 

Numbers 7 (Eye), 11 (camping), 14 (cruise), 15 (Zenit-EM) and 19 (lanterns) need warmer weather so they can wait until the spring. 

The 4 that can't be finished until the last day/month are 16 (365), 23 (music), 24 (scrapbook) and 25 (recipes).

There is a meditation class on this Thursday I can go to. If I wimp out it is on for the next 2 Thursdays as well, so that takes care of number 4 (meditation).

Numbers 5 (books), 20 (films) and 28 (run) are in progress, but need to be sped up.

I need to save the money for number 22 (massage).

So that leaves numbers 6 (Photoshop), 9 (eyes), 17 (wig), 29 (wine) and 30 (shop), for which I have no excuse. I think I need a big dollop of bravery and a push to get on with them!

Feeling motivated, I'm off to carry on with number 5 right now!..............


11 February 2012

OSJ

Unpicked nearly a whole armwarmer this evening because I had made so many mistakes with the knitting, even though I completely understand the pattern.

10 February 2012

OSJ

I'm filling out a 365 song challenge and I'm stuck trying to come up with a song I like that describes friendship, and I'm not resorting to 'He Aint Heavy'.

09 February 2012

One Sentence Journal (OSJ)

I could spend all day watching the birds come and go in my mum's garden - it's like flicking through the pages of a RSPB book!

Black Snow - A Weekend Outfit

The snow came down and my wellies came out...



Jumper: Peacocks
Skirt: Diesel
Coat: Topshop
Red Hat: Accessorize
Black Hat: Topshop I think, but had it a long time.
Boots: Hunter
Muff: No idea, but I've had this since I was a child!
Gloves: Primark
Nails: Malaga Wine by O.P.I.

I used Camera Bag 2 to edit the photos and I'm loving the glossy magazine effects it can produce. 

08 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

Its strange how quickly I seem to forget what happened in a book I only just finished reading!

07 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

I think I've just ordered a great CD for February's new artist discovery, and I found the group by watching CSI: New York!

06 February 2012

One Sentence Journal

How I manage to accumulate so much stuff in my house is totally beyond me.

Unhappy Lego Bench Monday









This is one unhappy Lego man. He is seething with rage at the inconsiderate snow that fell over the weekend and completely covered his bench. He had to spend all morning digging it out and sweeping the snow away ready for Bench Monday. This was not a happy Bench Monday for him at all.



05 February 2012

So excited that my nails are just about long enough to get away with wearing coloured nail polish for the first time in well over a year!

Mis-matched - Project 52



Week 4 of this year's project had the great theme of 'mis-matched' which instantly made me think of science and art. I love both, although art is my true favourite. 


To most people, science and art just don't mix. Science seeks to explain the wonders that art revels in (or maybe I'm talking nonsense). They may be mis-matched also because often when you see something with a scientific eye, you fail to see its beauty. Sorry if this is coming across as pretentious rubbish. It's hard to get the point across without using flouncy words!

I happen to use science in some of my art, so they can work together, but it can be a challenge to use both ways of seeing the world at the same time.

I love using scientific equipment at home and bought the conical flask to use as a vase, and the measuring cylinder is from Ikea for the kitchen. I set this up in my light tent:


I had to brighten the image a bit and increase contrast, then I used Reala effect on Picnik to really make the colours pop. I also quite liked adding a polaroid effect, as below, but decided the white background needed to stay a crisp clear white.




04 February 2012

I hate watching rugby and will never be able to work out the rules - it just looks like a random game of tag wrestling in a field.

Tangerine Circus - A Weekend Outfit

I've never worn anything orange before but I was drawn to this incredibly bright dress in the January sales this year and I love it! It is possibly a little short but I'm wearing it anyway. Wearing the ringmaster style jacket with it was a happy accident that I think works pretty well.



Dress: Rare at Topshop
Jacket: Topshop
Necklace: Republic
Ring: Dorothy Perkins
Boots: Marks & Spencer

03 February 2012

Even after not biting my nails for a month, temptation sometimes becomes just too much to resist.

02 February 2012

I seem to go through pairs of slippers faster than the average human, and my latest pair are snails.

In A Row - Project 52



This photo turned out to be a total pain to take - I could only find one complete pair of my old Barbie shoes (luckily bought these pairs from the local secondhand toy shop), the dolls kept falling over, the desk lamp I was using for light fell on the floor so the bulb broke, and my knees hurt from trying to get in the right position. Moan over. 

I intended to just have the shoes in a row, but thought the legs looked better. I used polaroid effect and added a slight matte border using Picnik.

01 February 2012

People really should appreciate their local libraries - they really are a brilliant idea and its all for free!

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