Sally likes doodling

Skip skip skip!

2012-01-21T12:38:00.001Z

The 9th Day (weekends may not be included)

2012-01-09T23:25:00.000Z

3 of my most favourite Elves.

The 6th Day

2012-01-06T20:44:00.001Z

6 Months ago a little dude came into my life unlike no other. His name is Bert and I like to pretend (when I can) to be his Ernie.

(This is the dude having his first Christmas dinner)

So, to commemorate the awesomeness that has been his arrival into our lives I decided to make him something equally as special.

When I was a nipper someone (possibly my mum, but I can't remember because...well because I was a mini) got me a plate with all the details of when, where, (how?!) and who I am/was when I was born. I used to be pretty fascinated with it as it hung on the wall of my Laura Ashley wallpapered room, especially the idea that our house was once a toadstool.

(8 lb 11ozs...sorry ma!)

So, I decided to make the little man one of his own to hopefully stare at on his nursery wall, and thought the Circus would be a good starting place (also perhaps because his Momma has a bit of a like for it!)

So here it is, a plate of his very own! (see he was nearly as big as I was!)

I think the strongman is my favourite (always is) and after a few trials getting it just the right temperature in the oven I think it looks quite super on the plate.

It's really nice to see my drawings on a new surface and after another dear friend had a little baba I did one for her too

Think I might work on some more designs for baby arrivals, perhaps even on some re purposed vintage crockery, it might be quite nice to work with the patterns. Any suggestions for designs you might like are welcome and do get in contact if you'd like one for your special little new friend!

Love Aunt Sally xx

The Fifth Day

2012-01-05T21:57:00.001Z

The 4th Day

2012-01-04T20:59:00.002Z

You wanz play?

The 3rd Day

2012-01-03T20:24:00.000Z

I offered to draw portraits for friends for their onwards Christmas presents this year, and as it is now after Christmas, and Santa/Sally has (hopefully) been for everyone, I can now share some of the images I drew!

The first is one for my most lovely friend Anne, for her (also lovely) brother Stefan. I visited Anne's native city of Dresden a few years back and met Stefan and we had some fun in one of the famous original B&W photobooths. The drawing is my version of this delight, do you like the faces? I had lots of fun drawing!

...and do get in contact if you'd like a portrait drawing for a loved one

The 2nd Day

2012-01-02T21:48:00.000Z

The 1st Day

2012-01-01T21:23:00.000Z

Get eating your Greens!

2011-07-01T17:35:00.000+01:00

For all those London based Guardian buyers - look out for the supplement 'Green Mag' in tomorrow's issue, there is an article about 'The Future of Food' that I did some illustrations for.

It's a really interesting read about how high food prices are becoming an unfortunate norm, and what we can do to become a more educated consumer. And I have to say, after just this week eating my very first home-grown courgette, it has made me a bit more conscious of how hard feeding the planet must be.

Happy Weekend Yall!

Marking a lot of love

2011-06-19T20:18:00.000+01:00

Since my induction to the Leicester Print Workshop I have been really eager to develop more images to be produced with screen printing. So when my oldest poppet from back home got engaged to her wonderful man I offered to make their wedding invitations for them as my gift, and what a exciting time I had making them! Having a real project to get my teeth into has definitely spurred on my enthusiasm for the technique and the process of printing.

Kelly-Ann and Dan were a magical couple to design for as they were so open and trusting with whatever I wanted to come up with. They gave me an overview of some of the ideas and themes that will make their big day, and a colour scheme to choose from. They have a soft spot for our feathery head spinning friends, so I based the image around a couple of love owls, stood between the gates that they will exit from as man and wife.
I went for a combination of bright pink and dusty blue, highlighted with a medium grey for the sharper details.
It was a new way of working for me - to remove the black lines that I so frequently use and create an image simply through textures and blocks of colour. I really enjoyed thinking of the process I would be using during the design process, and exploring new ways of describing a setting.

On the reverse of the invitation we had 2 sets of information to print - one for the day guests and one for the night; so I printed them in the two different colours. The information is formed from a mix of 2 fonts and there are some little illustrations within the layout.

As part of the Invitation pack, I also designed a RSVP card, for the guests to return their attendance answers.

The envelopes were all addressed in the same font as from within the invites, inked on in pink calligraphy. The back of the envelopes have a hand printed return address, along with a yummy ice cream!

And to finish off the bundle I made some badges from the illustrations from within the invites along with some complimentary fabric, for the guests to wear if they should so wish!

Working on these invites has been really wonderful and has sparked a bit of a passion for helping betrothed couples capture the fun of their day. I'm planning to develop a range of lovingly hand printed designs that will be customisable and offer a range of package options.
I even see it developing into other life events, such as baby announcements and correspondence cards so do contact me if you know anyone who you think would love the service, or if you have an occasion yourself!

Inky Fingers

2011-06-07T21:12:00.000+01:00

A couple of months ago I decided it was about time to go back to school and pick up a process I last tried at college, some 10 years ago (yikes) Screen printing.
When I moved to Northamptonshire at the start of the year I was lucky enough to come across a lovely little place called Leicester Print Workshop a mere half an hour drive down the A6, and decided to sign up to their 'Introduction to Screen Printing' course held over a weekend and ran by the lovely Gemma Wright.

I remembered quite a bit about how to screen print but thought it was a good idea to have a proper recap and save myself making silly mistakes, so along I went with a few black and white images to see what I could produce, one of which you can see above. It's a reworking of a drawing I first used in a mural, but one I thought deserved a bit more love.

Gemma gave some helpful advice and suggestions about how you can add hand-drawn textures to your prints so I experimented by adding a background evening sky, made by painting on acrylic onto acetate and scratching it off with some sandpaper.

Getting printing again was lots of messy fun, and reminded me how much I loved it, even if you do get sore fingers and a bad back! You have to be super quick when you're printing and have lots of space to lay your prints out for them to dry, I stacked them anywhere I could.

I tried a few different colours for the back ground sky but reverted back to the clean black and white image, which I think works best.

One day these will grace a shop I'm sure.

The other image I printed that day was a new one I made special. Look, it's some kids on a merry-go-round! I really like this image and hope to use it again one day for something, it looks brills as a print but I think I'm going to use it with multiple colours next time.

I've been printing more since this adventure and am really enthused to start printing at home too.

Like old Friends

2011-05-27T12:46:00.000+01:00

Working through all the images I have ever created took some time I tell thee, but it was a welcome task as I got to revisit some old drawings I'd almost forgotten about. My agents were particularly interested in seeing digital versions of the doodles I created from the murals I've done, but as I mainly work in a brain-to pen-to wall fashion, there was a need to recreate these images on paper.

The above image was originally etched onto the entrance hall of Bungalows and Bears, a jauntly Northern establishment in Sheffield established by the ever talented and expending 580 limited.

The original mural depicted the now-demolished Sheffield cooling towers, with local superstars The Arctic Monkeys on top of one, and *my school girl crush* Pulp on the other.

I remember on this job having to hunt down an internet cafe to google image pictures of the towers and the bands for reference. God, how much do I love having an iphone now.

The second reworked image was originally from the first in the pub mural series I did at Start the Bus, Bristol (another 580 wonder)

I remember being absolutely terrified to start to draw on this mural, probably due to be only being told the brief on the train to Bristol that morning. Also having a whole room full of people waiting to see what I was drawing was a bit unnerving. It was the first of what I've now come to know as 'Rolf Harris Syndrome' People are perplexed into silence by watching you draw and trying to work out what it's going to be. It's something I thrive off now; there is no fannying around when there's a mural to do.

Representin'

2011-05-27T11:52:00.000+01:00

Hello magical blog reader!

So, here we are, another year is already pinging it's months away like a frantic game of pong. And here I am, hanging my head in shame at my lack of updates to this blog. Naughty me.

But, but, but - I have been up to things y'know! Things which I intend to blab on about in some update posts over the next few days/weeks.

I have also made a decision to try and post more about everything on here. Work stuff, cool things I come across, home stuff, cat things (I have cats now). I think sometimes I get a bit worried about crossing over work/my art posts with things I find inspirational - like I should keep them separate. But I have realised that having 5 billion different online presences to update only serves to confuzzle my head and, ultimately, prevent me from posting in the first place.

Enough already!

The first and pretty much most exciting thing to happen in my creative world is - I am now a represented Illustrator. Woooop indeed!

I met with the wonderful people at New Division a couple of months back, and after some portfolio slap and tickles have just gone live on their website. You can see my online portfolio HERE. They have also done a feature on me as part of their own blog. Nice.

New Division is the sister agency of Meiklejohn, an agency formed in 1973 (a whole decade before I was born!) and represents some of the best contemporary illustrators around (cripes I have some talented agency friends)

Since joining the agency I have had some wonderfully helpful advice on getting my portfolio client-ready, and have both reworked some images and created some fresh drawings. It's been a really nice time to stop and take stock of the work I've produced so far and feel confident that I have a solid body of work to enter the world of commercial illustration. It's also nice to know that I've now got the knowledge and advice of a well established agent behind me, something that can only be helpful with the inevitably scary business side of a creative career.

Hoorah!

HELLO!

2011-05-12T19:44:00.000+01:00

I haven't been on here in what is way too long. And what a broken record that sentence has come to be!

Instead of pondering what I should write as my first post back from an exciting hiatus (and I will catch you up with those exciting nuggets I promise) I will instead show you a picture of the most pregnant lady in the world right now. Here she is:

She is my big little big sister.

Enjoy!

I shall be back soon to tell of the wonders of my 2011 so far, toodlepips!

Purrrrrrrfect!

2010-12-13T18:19:00.000Z

So, I have been rather busy on my sewing machine over the past few weeks, making things to open my very own online shop! (you can go to the shop here: www.etsy.com/shop/sallyleach) I decided to make some limited edition festive dolls and came up with little Santa's and Angels that can either be used as decorations or as a topper for your tree!

And it seems they have gone down a treat as I've already sold a few. There are still some left in the shop if you'd like one!

I also made some Elf Family door hangers, that are scented with cinnamon oils - they are lusciously Christmassy!

I held a stall at my first Christmas Market too - in the centre of Blackburn on one of the coldest days of the year so far! I had a ridiculous amount of clothes on and was still cold, but it was worth it to see all my creations together and on sale to the passing public!

I was selling my little Santa dolls, Angels, Illustrated Christmas Cards, totes bags and pin badges. Here's a couple of the designs I've come up with for the Christmas badges:

It's a really great feeling when you sell something online, and what a great idea Etsy.com is, in making it so easy to do so! I've been spurred on to make some more things so I've gone for some Kitty and Puppy dolls, who are rather adorable, and all unique!

Spot the difference!.....

Daisy (the real kitty) loves helping out when I'm making things (if batting things off the table to play with or attacking my feet on the sewing machine pedal is classed as helping!)

I can ship things out in time for Christmas up until this Wednesday (15th Dec) so do order things quick if you'd like!

And do let me know/suggest other things you'd like made, I'm hooked!

www.etsy.com/shop/sallyleach

The days are short and the nights are cold but if we do some dancin' we will be ok

2010-11-17T21:23:00.000Z

KKKketchup.
Okellydokelly here's a little overview of what has been going on in the tremendous days of me (Miss Sally Elizabeth Leach)

Bestival (god it's good isn't it?!)

Back yonder in early September, before the cold set in, I spent a fun week out in the garden preparing a rainbow of fantasy animals for the wonderful portacabin that becomes Bestival Radio HQ.

Painting my characters on a big scale is one of my most favourite things to do. It really feels like they come to life and I have to say it's pretty hard to say goodbye to them sometimes

So off to the sunny fields of the IOW we went and with my trusty helper Tie by my side we set about turning 20 rolls of sticky back plastic into a 20 foot Zebra. Believe it or not, the top of portacabins are not the cleanest of places, thank god for the sunken bath at our heavenly pre-festival digs The Mission

We also added a few zootime friends to the roof, which helped it stand out in the packed main field.

And so it was...with a few gloriously tacky leopard print bedsheets around the barriers we created our own little festival menagerie!

Inside I wanted the space to be as colourful and bright as possible (an essential element, especially if the rainy year had itself a repeat)

I used a mix of flat painted character and 3D taxidermy style heads, and lots of jungle bunting, on a background of bright pastel colours.

We even had a little visit from the dudiest dude himself...Mr Motivator! AWESOME

I have to say that Bestival just gets better ever year I've been, the rest of the site was looking incredible thanks to the design team headed my Josie Da Bank.

My favourite was the Wishing Tree which poignantly became the closing bonfire of the festival

Much thanks to Tie, Ayesha and James Bacon for the pictures!

LET Project
The next phase of the wonderful LET project in Blackburn has taken over what used to be an old jewellery shop in the town centre and turned it into a hive of creative and interactive projects.

I hung some of the characters I built in the window to attract people to the activities within. Hopefully I'll be able to use some of the other ones I made at some point too.

John Soane Museum's 'Building Explorers'

Next was a postcard I designed for the incredulous John Soane Museum in London. The 'Building Explorers' program is an after school club for local children, encouraging not only participation with the museum but to get them excited about the wonders of architecture in London.
I designed a matt-finished postcard that is just begging to be coloured in by these new intrepid explorers!

New Website!

I have redesigned my website, and although it will be changing again in the very near future, I am happy to say it's mine. It has pictures and words and you can click some things too. If you haven't visited it you most probably should, it's webtastic address is www.sallyleach.co.uk HUZZAH!

New Shop (and things for you to buy with your pocket money)

I've been working for the past month on some designs for products to start selling in my very own tinternet shop. They'll be a reet good mix of thing you can look at, put on your wall, carry your stuff in, cheer you up when you're feeling blue, give to your new crush and even some to pop your zits in.
I wanna keep most of it under wraps till I launch but here's a little sneaky peek...

There's even some Santabulous things coming along...

Woooooooooooo, ok that's me! So how the hell have you been?

xxx

BESTIVAL 2010!

2010-08-25T16:48:00.000+01:00

.....phew 3 blog updates in one day? It's what Wednesdays were made for fella!

Now, just a little sneak preview into the designs I've come up with for this year's decorations at Bestival Radio HQ....

The theme for this years radio is FANTASY ZOO and I've decided to turn the portacabin shell into a massive Zebra!

Lots of animal print and funny taxidermy animal heads are in the making

Animals are for FANCY DRESS, not Wheely-Bins!

Lots more coming soon...but in the meantime you can get excited about Bestival and it's AMAZING Radio Station on their Facebook Page.

By Jove I'm excited!

Bringing Creativity to Life (and a soggy Blackburn)

2010-08-25T16:33:00.000+01:00

Following the Mural I did on the empty shop in Blackburn town centre I have been asked to create a window display to excite interest in the next phase of the LET project.

The empty shop that once was occupied by Vall Hall Jewellers will be used over the coming months to host an exciting variety of creative activity specifically designed to engage with the town centre audience.

There two curved windows in the shop, divided by a receding doorway, so I began thinking of ways I could engage the viewer from any angle they may approach from. I decided it would be best to have freestanding individual characters rather than, say, one big poster.

TO DRAWING!....

I came up with the plan that the window could become an imaginary art studio for one lovely lady, the items around her suggesting possible activities taking place in the coming months.

A little trip to GRUMPY later (best idea/shop ever) and I had my materials to crack on bringing her world to life.

Here's a pic of what I came up with...all laid out in my garden Art Attack style.

Molly's even been earning her keep by making a little friend to keep my Lady company..

...do you think she looks like me? (I wish I had purple hair)

Really looking forward to installing this little imaginary world soon...I'll keep you posted!

Painting on walls is the BOMB

2010-08-25T14:23:00.000+01:00

So I've had time to recover from the mammoth wall mural I completed (in the drizzle) in Blackburn town centre, and what a bloomin joyous experience it has been...let me share some of it with you!

After compiling all my research I drew, and drew (and drew) all the things I could think of to do with Blackburn - it's Architecture, it's people, it's history and it's colourful spirit. In fact I drew so much that I fast ran out of space on the gigantic 8 metre design I mocked up.

I really wanted the mural to have two elements to it - to stand out with a bold images that could be viewed quickly if you were just passing (the street is traffic heavy) with added detail that you could spend time looking over if you passed it on foot.
I decided to use the phrase 'Ey Up Chuck' as a positive colloquial greeting to those passing as well as a symbol of the cheery Blackburn spirit. Using imaginative typefaces to grab peoples attention.
Around this I filled the remaining wall with my drawings, all coloured in a vibrant colour palette (I'm sorry but I simply don't do bland)

This is the biggest mural I have designed so far and although it took days to sketch, I knew the extensive planning would be essential to ease the application - especially working with over 10 different colours!

So, on a sunny Saturday, with the mapped out design all ready, I got on with getting rid of that horrid plain boarded shop front! First was the pink base coat (applied with my cheery Poppa Pete) and wow did it instantly command attention from the many passers by!

Colour mixing time! I got some primary colours mixed up from the Dulux colour mixing system and set about matching mushed up versions of them to my design...a process that took over 3 hours! I decanted them into sealed storage tubs (from the trusty pound shop up the road)
The lack of access to a sink meant I had to invest in plenty of brushes - one small and one fat for each colour, and I kept them wet using sandwich bags around the ends (which lasted the entire week!)

First to apply was the base colours for the statements (on a particularly wet day!) I was quite aware of not wanting to leave the unfinished mural at the risk of being vandalised so it was super late nights/early mornings, but having said that now the mural has so far been left untouched, which pleases me no end.

Settling into the application (after making friends with each brush) and sketching on the bottom half, I moved from left to right and back again applying one colour at a time, which proved to be the most sensible way to work.

It was really encouraging to talk to the Blackburners passing by, who were all intrigued and positive about the change to the run down shop. Some people passed by on a daily basis to keep up with my progress which I found really sweet. It just goes to show you that people of all ages, and from all walks of life are keen to see creative regeneration happening in their area, and really helped me stay positive through some pretty drizzly days :)

Slowly but surely as the week progressed, the mural came to life on Lord Street and bar from a few compositional changes the design was staying pretty true to my wishes.

After a swish of my trusted Posca Pens to add those little important details such as faces and labels...VOILA!...it was finished!

I sealed the mural with a good coat of varnish which will protect again rain and sun alike, and proudly had my picture taken for the local paper, which my Nan was super proud of, especially since it ended up on the front page...

(hahaha jokes headline!)

I have thoroughly enjoyed this project! Murals are one of my most favourite things I do in my practice. There is something about the childlike naughtiness of drawing on a wall that will never cease to be thrilling, and being allowed to do such a thing in a prime location (with a live active audience) only serves to enhance my pride.

This project was commissioned by the wonderful people at LET project and the regeneration team in Blackburn. It's truly inspirational - the idea that creativity should be at the centre of local regeneration, and that although times may be hard we can do something to help brighten up the physical spaces, and the spirit of those in neighbouring businesses.

You can see more pictures of the finished mural on my Flickr

Mellor & Co

2010-07-16T15:25:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I went to talk to a wonderfully friendly man named Keith at Mellor & Co - the Ironmongers next door to the abandoned shop I am designing the mural for and he helped fill me in on what history he knew about Lord Street West.

He told me that Mellor & Co have been in this shop since 1900, and kindly showed me a picture of how the shop looked back then (pictured above) It's fascinating to compare how little change the shop has changed since it opened, it really is a gem of old Blackburn, and should be celebrated for it's length of service to it's people.

I've also discovered that the shop I am working on was originally a wholesale greengrocers, explaining the loading bays and disused crane next to the shop (above) and has also been a razor shop and a reclaimed slate shop.

Keith also showed me out in the back of the Ironmongers, where you can see see features of the old coach houses, stables and original cobbled pavements. It could quite possibly be the backyard in the image I found at the library below, which is taken round the corner in Northgate.

I also talked to Janet, the lady who runs vintage fashion treasure cave "Decades" - the best kept secret of the North, who told me she'd been in her premises for over 20 years. She knew that her end of the street had previously been a Dry Salters, a Jewellers and a Dance Hall (which you could see in the arched ceiling above the racks and rails full of vintage delights)

Image taken from Lancashire Life article about Decades

Interestingly I've also discovered that turn of the century pioneer film makers, Mitchell & Kenyon had their premises just around the corner on Northgate and King Street. Astonishingly 15 years ago two workmen discovered 3 metal drums in the basement of the property, brimming with hundreds of early non-fiction silent films, many of local Lancashire people and places.

An early clip of Blackburn Rovers V Aston Villa at Ewood Park, 9th April 1904 (nearly exactly 79 years before I was born!)

School children from Audley Range Primary School during their Physical Education class, 1904.

You can see more you tube clips from the 2005 BBC Documentary on YouTube HERE

I have a massively long (and still growing) list of things I want to draw in the mural, as well as messages I think are important to highlight. I'm finding it such a treasure to discover the origins of the place I grew up in and I really want to convey and perseverance the enduring spirit of the remaining local businesses in the area.

A few interesting things.......

2010-07-15T10:57:00.000+01:00

......I have found out about Blackburn so far...

1. There is a giant buried here - John Fred Kempster

2. Ghandi visited Darwen (where I grew up) in 1931

3. The Spinning Jenny was invented here; revolutionising weaving and turned Blackburn into the weaving capital of the world!

4. The Crest was granted in 1852 and the bits of it have the following meaning:

The Worker Bees are are an emblem of SKILL, PERSERVERANCE & INDUSTRY
The White represents CALICO, a product of Blackburn
The Black wavy line represent BLACK BROOK - the river Blakewater Blackburn is built on and derives its name from
The Green represents Strength
The Dove represents Blackburn as a peaceful place
The Dove stands on a shuttle, representing weaving - which has contributed to the prosperity of the town more than any other industry.
The Lozenges (diamond shapes) represent the spinning jenny
Finally the motto - ARTE ET LABOUR which means 'By Art and Labour' summing up the energy and enterprise of Blackburnian workers.

BOOM!

Liberating Empty Terain Project, Blackburn

2010-07-14T10:58:00.000+01:00

Good Morning Campers! The day in East Lancashire today is a little grayer than I'd prefer but I care not as I have a terribly exciting project to be getting on with.

I've been back in my faithful homelands for a couple of months now, beavering away in my little studio and planning the months ahead. It feels a bit weird to be away from London after so long there, but I'm truly loving the calm and eager feelings that are being nurtured. London can get a bit hectic and distracting sometimes, so this is indeed a welcome break.
Most excitingly, I have been chosen as the local artist for the latest brief from The LET Project (Liberating Empty Terrain) This is a fantastic series of projects running in Blackburn Town Centre, highlighting the need to support local creative industries by inviting them to take over disused properties.

I will be creating a mural on a disused shop in Lord Street West, working with local people and ideas to create something both reflective and progressive to the regeneration of the area. The shop in question is sandwiched between a wonderful, traditional Ironmongers, and 'Decades' - one of the best Vintage shops in the North (if not in the country - I used to spend many an hour in this treasure box as a teen)

I feel a particular kinship to this project, as it's a shop that I used to frequently when I used to live in Blackburn. It used to be known as 'The Jumble Sale Shop' between those in the know, and it was basically a shop used by various small charities on a short term basis to raise money through selling jumble. It was BARGAIN central, with many lovely grandmas helping you bag your treasure.

This block of shops have a industrial quality typical of the area and have some beautiful original features. I'm especially in awe of the graphic signage of the Ironmongers next door and want to use this as inspiration in my design.

Today, I'm off to Blackburn town centre to sketch some landmarks and gather information from the museum and art gallery. Who'd of thought it!

Keep your eyes peeled for updates!

Roadtripping!

2010-04-05T17:09:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow I'm off to Nottingham for a week to create a piece of work at new venue 'Spanky Van Dykes Eatery and Funhouse' (that's got to be the best name for a pub ever right?!)
As always, the nature of what I'm to create is surrounded in some mystery (even to myself) until I arrive tomorrow, but I do know however, that it involves creating half a caravan, which I plan on turning into a home for some magical freak show characters. I'll be posting live updates on my TUMBLR.

The venue is the latest fun palace from the entertainment boffins 580 who i've worked with several times before. It's really exciting to get involved with these venues at their creation, and seeing them being embraced by the locals. Plus I get to spread my doodles far and wide! So far I have been to: Bristol, Bournemouth, Brixton, Leeds, and Sheffield!

After Nottingham is Kraken Wakes, Portsmouth and The Shipping Forecast, Liverpool, so much more daftness coming that way soon.

I'm also doing the vending machine again for the opening parties, although I've rejiggled the idea a little (due to the emigration of a certain little someone) DoodleVend is now going to incorporate different artists at every venue it travels to, meaning live, customised goodies for everyone!
Check my DoodleVend Blog for dates, locations and info on the jazzy artists involved.

And finally, in moving news - I'm one week away from the moving my nest back to the beautiful North. Typically things have all come at once, so it's a yo-yo game between here, there and Nottingham, but I'm excited. 2 car boots helped me shift the mountain of crap (and make a little wonga in the process) so now I'm the streamlined version of the old me, and it feels like spring in my heart.

Hello next chapter, I've been looking forward to meeting you.

Just until I sync up my online presence

2010-03-14T16:00:00.000Z

For the beginning part of this year I have been trying out a new blogging format, Tumblr, and until I spend a bit of time learning how to cross-feed my rambles, you can keep up with me there: www.ethelography.tumblr.com

This year so far I have:

Registered as self emplyed. Baffling and exciting in equal measures. I'm going to a workshop on the ins and outs of Tax returns tomorrow. I finally feel like an adult.
Had my first 'Acting' Job. Playing the part of the Artist in a new adaptation for Children called 'The Animated Tales of Shakespeare' It involved an overhead projector, some live drawing a Musician and an Actor. Telling the tales of Shakespeare in a simplified and innovative way.
Decided that I'm moving back home for a year, to concentrate on getting myself off the ground. London is an extremely challenging place to live for an artist at the beginning of their career. The wealth of inspiration felt here is irreplaceable, but the weight of financial responsibility can often snatch away precious time from what makes me truly happy, creating. I've spent 8 years in London, and stamped countless experiences and memories into the fabric of who I am, but there's a whole world out there, and I think it's time to explore some more of it.

Ok, time to re-engagewith the Sunday job at hand - sorting out the mountain of crap that I neither want or need with me on my next adventure.

Goodbye 2009

2009-12-31T12:20:00.000Z

Good things that I will remember this year for:

Moving into my very own studio, making a mess and not worrying about it

Swimming in the sunshine at my local neighbourhood lido

Reconnecting with old friends

Setting up a wonderful community of Crafties and shouting about them from the rooftops

Belly giggling with newly found, like-minded souls

Vending the party

Country wide Doodling

No more pulling pints

Meeting der Sandigs

Challenges in my work that have made me feel fuzzy

Being blessed with the wonder that is Madeleine Worthington (even if she is on the other side of this planet)

Being part of my family, who inspire every day

Positive feelings, looking to the stars and dreaming of what's next

2009-12-22T02:12:00.000Z

I want this.
And a boy to cuddle inside it.

2009-12-14T00:02:00.000Z

Tahula the Hula?

2009-12-11T02:15:00.003Z

So, we had a dilemma at our little spacecamp/building centre in the deisigning stages last week. How exactly do you visualise a computer navigation system that lacks actual physical precense but is indeed only represented by the lushious Basingstoke tones of Kate Bush?

Simple you fools!

You ask the really nice chap, Eugene at 'The Hoop Dance Company' if he can help and HEY PRESTO....

.....We have Kate!
We came up with the idea that Kate will be represented by a glowing red orb that will come to life during our adventure.

The Hoop looks amazing, and we'd all like to say a massive THANKYOU to Eugene and 'The Hoop Dance Company' for helping make our vision of Kate possible.

Here is a little bit about what they do:
"The Hoop Dance Company offers specially designed workshops where you can learn great Hooping skills, Hoop Dance and advanced Hoop Aerobics from the experts. It also sells a wide variety of professional dance and exercise hoops. To view the full range of products visit www.shop.thehoopdanceco.co.uk"

Storytelling

2009-12-09T00:21:00.007Z

So........bit of a recap needed.

I've said it before, but blogging can be a bit like, um, say......when you know you have to ring someone back. You keep putting it off and off and it's not even that you don't love doing it, but the timed lapsed means it gains momentum, gaining it's occurrence an equally important and fretful status.

Anyhoo, as a recap, or indeed fill-in, I am currently designing the set for Spaceship 87' at the Royal Exchange in Manchester, by the extrodinary En Masse. Directed by my sister and written by her co-founder Ollie Birch, it is a tale of a little girl's spaceship bedroom coming to life and taking her on an a life affirming journey across the galaxy. It opens next week, so if you're about the northern persuadence click here to buy tickets)

These are some of the things that have been experienced, created and laughed at in my presence in the last couple of joyous weeks.

Lanternhouse is a marvel of modern existence (given all the government cutbacks) and I feel lucky to say I've experienced it's fairytale-like arms cuddling my imagination for the past fortnight. It's like a country cottage in the middle of Cumbria that can accomodate the needs of people who want to bring things to exsist.

We have taken over the massive barn space as our theatre, and it's magnificent roof and heating ceilings feel quite a priviledge in comparison to Dalston alleys and cold fingers.

I feel like I'm sleeping in Little Bear's bed...

And it has a ridicoulous lift that reminds me of 'The rooms getting smaller!', 'No, HE'S GETTING BIGGER!'

With a little man inside who is clearly loving pulling it up and down...

Dinner time fun time...

My paint stained mitts have seemingly spread all over another room, and Harriet (the tremendous production manager) has been helping me share joy over huge rolls of rainbow-coloured sticky backed plastic.

It's a new experience for me, helping bring an entire story to life. Mapping my ideas around the action and dialogue, and learning technical boundries (and naturally trying to dismiss them as much as possible) I'm certain what we have collectively produced is an piece of innovative and moving theatre, it feels a bit like Paul Daniels is in the room.

Here is one of my 'technical' (!) drawings...

...and one part of it realised....

...the fun contines.

I want a cat RIGHT NOW!

2009-11-28T10:20:00.005Z

Eric

Eric has the best cat face of all time. If Eric was a human, he'd be the kind of guy that i'd randomly start talking to at stone circle in Glastonbury, he'd share some balloons with me and we'd stay best friends forever. Damn I really want a friend with Eric's face, by fredbutlerstyle.

You can vote for Eric to be cat of the month at CAT PARTY

Boots, puddles and £50 bedrooms

2009-11-24T23:18:00.004Z

I built a mountain this week. My Mountain was peach and turquoise. I put my gold flag in it to celebrate.
I built Obamarama too. Obamarama is also a fan of flags. You can soon purchase your very own Obamarama in my shop (of tat and wonders).

I am currently finding shelter from God's humongous rain feast with the Engineers of Imagination at Lanternhouse.
The rain is however, very soothing and the quiet is keeping me awake (in the nicest possible way)
You have to order foamboard in Cumbria

monorailMonorailMONORAIL

2009-11-14T23:30:00.002Z

Yes Please

2009-11-13T23:34:00.001Z

A bed cocoon made of books? Put some wheels on it and I'm sold.

Dalston sets its limits

2009-11-13T10:45:00.002Z

I found a bit of a hoover in a bin today.

Night Time Friends

2009-11-13T10:34:00.003Z

I used to be utterly convinced as a child that my teddy bears were real and that they would conduct magical tea parties during the middle of the night while I was sleeping.

I think my theory was proved last night........

Daytripper

2009-11-12T00:34:00.005Z

I have been thinking recently that I'm going to have to make a contract for myself. Like a contract you have with an employer, only self-induced for my own well being. (Isn't it weird that I have to do this at all, I mean why do us humans still not know how to look after ourselves?)

I have come to realise, and this is not just a self assessment but seems to be the case with others in this field, that being creative consumes every conscious thought (and many dreams for that matter too) The feelings of non productiveness even plague the evenings, often leading to complete lack of knowing when to JUST STOP.

Don't get me wrong - I would be suspicious of any creative who isn't infected with the compulsion to create 24/7, but sometimes you can find yourself passing entire seasons without spending smiles with loved ones.

Today was my day off.

This is how it was spent.....

Farmer Browne (aka poppa liam) has recently expanded his Mancunian flavoured Eco-battle into his very own muddy space of self-sufficiency. The Allotment.

A trip to Kingston was a must to witness his hard work (and literally taste his success) It was nice to go back to Kingston for the day. University there brought such a great mix of experiences. Kingston has trees, and rivers and manners. A fellow, hairy-necked, allotmentor even had some kittens, one of which very nearly ended up accidentally falling into my pocket and getting carried home.

The sky was big too........beautiful it's-been-raining-all-day-but-it-just-pulled-it-out-of-the-bag-delicious-sunset-sky.
A big belly full of farmer's lasagne was followed by a trip to the cinema to see Fantastic Mr. Fox.

WOW. I've not grinned so much through a movie in ages. I actually felt a bit sick it was so good.
(pointing at the screen and shouting 'awww' is probably not cool though)

Now then. Apple and cinnamon tea, marmite toast, read, bed.

Tomorrow will be fruitful, I can just tell.

Massacre at 3B

2009-11-10T22:00:00.003Z

Poisoned dozy mouse comes to a cardboard/meat tray/tin can end.

Me and Sandig are officially scaredy cats.

What a damn fine idea

2009-11-09T09:41:00.005Z

Set up by Jack Featherstone Covert Candy is an online swap shop for vintage (and also not so vintage) clothes that lets you trade in your old clothes for credit, which you can then use to 'buy' other items.
HOW? COOL? IS? THAT?

It's like karma consumerism.

A thing that happens to me that I ponder the occurance in others

2009-11-09T01:11:00.003Z

I think I've forgotten how to walk up stairs.

Upon the last couple of stairs in the set it quite often happens that I completely forget both how to walk and the order of the next moments.

This tends to occur most when:

carrying a full till of money
with a drink in my hand
on the way to the shower

I think I am perhaps reversing my evolutionary process.

I can however carry an unnatural amount of glassware. pros and cons.

I want to make.........

2009-11-04T14:55:00.002Z

..........a life size, pop up set that you can turn the page and climb into. Maybe you could have one in your house and when you turn it the room changes into another room.

One day, I will make it happen.

I don't think I ever posted this

2009-11-04T14:43:00.004Z

Me and Mad (sob) did these paper palm trees a while back for a shoot with Seamus Haji
who is a Disc Jockey by trade. Photography by Jonny Wright
paper.sticky tape.scissors.cardboard tube.dust pan.nice.

Doodlescrans

2009-11-03T17:56:00.007Z

It's raining right now in Dalston. In fact it's been raining all day.
Rain is one of those things that you wince at the thought at, and wince during the first ten minutes of, and then it's kind of liberating and actually quite nice to just get wet. Like fuck it i'm soggy already, so lets embrace it, ride around on my bike and let myself get smack-in-the-face-wet.

It isn't so nice to sit in your studio all day with a bike bum, but hey.

I've decided this is the year I do the same with winter. Winter is brilliant if you think about it. Jumpers, hot vimto, hibernating in double duvets, dark dark skies with big bright moons, vitamin D-replacing root vegetables (did you know they store it up, so when you eat them it helps out with the lack of sunshine. Incredible nature ey?) and rediscovering socks and hats.

One day I will live in a cottage in the middle of a massive forest and only have grizzly bears and the milky way for winter companions. Bliss. I've become increasingly more obsessed with the sky recently, sometimes I feel i'd be a lot calmer if I were near it. There's not a lot of sky in Dalston. Where I grew up there are lots of mountains, moors and sky, and always a distance to look into. I'm really really looking forward to my upcoming set design build in Ulverston, lots of walking and breathing.

I'm giving up my job in 2 weeks which is simultaneously exciting and terrifying, but I feel my leap of faith moment is here. I've loved working at the Amersham, and it's allowed me so many opportunities, but the late nights of bar take their toll on creativity.
Beans on toast for the next foreseeable future then....

A couple of things of note:
A new poster design for En Masse theatre. 'The Toymaker' is a tale of revenge over childhood injustice, which is suitably dark and gorey for children everywhere.

A couple of programme images for a production of 'The Animated Tales of Shakespeare' which will be at the Egg Theatre, Bath next year.

I went to the Welcome Collection the other day (after building some cracking mountains with a group of schoolkids) and I have to say, it's one of the best museums I've been to in ages. Really calming, considering most of the artifacts on display are quite disturbing medical observations and equipment. Great cafe too (they do nectar tea and good cake)

Working on some Christmas products to sell from a shop on my website, so watch this space.

YIP

2009-10-26T22:12:00.004Z

Organising yourself as an artist is hard to do. Inspiration and storage solutions here:
http://www.on-my-desk.blogspot.com/

Pritty Purleeeeeeeeeease?
I bet they don't get people screaming outside their bedroom window at 5am.

http://www.designspongeonline.com/

Exciting times indeed

2009-10-20T11:32:00.006+01:00

Whooooopsie it's been a while........well it feels like it, there's been so much going on.

Blog photos like to upload in the wrong order, and I meant these the other way round, but hey screw it.....

I'm getting (a little too) excited about the upcoming set design I'm doing for 'Spaceship 87' which starts rehearsals mid November. It's Manchester Royal Exchange's children's Christmas production, and is being written and directed by my sister's amazing children's theatre company En Masse.
The story is about a little girl called Leyla who has to save the world in her spaceship bedroom - that comes to life in the famous Hurricane storm of 1987. Micheal Fish narrates the story......

......what an absolute fox (I WANT THAT JUMPER)

Can't wait to get started on it, I've been saving clippings and looking in my favourite moon books. We're building it at Lanterhouse creation centre near Morecombe.............it's a bit of a hippy commune and we're gonna be there for pretty much a month (plus it's near home which makes me smile, a nice bit of time up north please)
I did a drawing for the new edition of 'Egg Mag' which is out this week I think. It's for an article about 'Big Green Giants' asking 'How green is your energy?' I decided to brighten it up with a dude who's being super green by powering his own energy machine. I'm excited to see it in print, you can pick up at copy from 'Leon' restaurants amongst other places.

The ever expanding 580 group have just launched another cracking venue, this time in a little town called Brixton. The Rest is Noise is one of the most interesting places to have a beer in London with a plethora of amazing artworks on the wall and in the street gallery window.
I crowned the fireplace with the family of troopers........

Was really nice to draw in a different style for a change, tiring too!

The venue is also one of the new places we're taking the 'A Little Bazaar'......we had the first one there a couple of weeks ago....

......they have a light wall on the dance floor!

We're also taking it to 'The Book Club' this (and every) Sunday......we are franchising!

Ok........last thing, some pics of the stuff we made for Bestival......man I need a website update!

Some Bestival Highlights

2009-09-21T13:59:00.002+01:00

Reverend Milo Speedwagon (a very kind soul) and two gold stars

Mr Spoon! It was just like being at Burnley Mechanics circa 1988

Man, I'm gonna miss her.

Bramble FM doing 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' (with man digging a hole)

Dirty knees, windy portacabin roof, flapping glitter curtains.

Sunshine Star

Is it bad that I'm pretty excited about it being winter again?

2009-09-21T13:53:00.003+01:00

I think I'm gonna try make my own winter coat this year. But I'm scared, in fact a bit more like terrified of spending a shed load of money on expensive wool material and buggering it up.

Perhaps a cape would be a good starting place?......with a huge wind defying hood.

Would it be super cheesy to make one in red?

Yes, probably.

Maybe the batman one? Would surely make commuting more interesting.

My kinda hunk

2009-09-16T20:18:00.001+01:00

Bestival exploded in my face

2009-09-16T19:42:00.003+01:00

So, I'm in a state of shock as to how good Bestival was this year. God saw that everyone had made a lot of effort and sent the sunshine to toast our little faces and warm the ground for us to lay on whilst watching the wackiness unfold.

We worked so hard on the artiness for Bestival Radio and it surely did pay off. The station ended up looking like it'd been through a tropical glitter hurricane and everyone seemed to like it. A lot of the decorations even came home, which almost never happens.....ever.

I send a lot of time watching the weird little things going on this year (something you can't really do when the site resembles a muddy apocalypse)

My favourite thing has got to be BRAMBLE FM radio roadshow. Lots of daftness with Maureen and Leslie. Indeed.

Here's them doing their thing at Camp Bestival:

when I have a house

2009-09-16T19:37:00.001+01:00

I want the peeing table please
Magical furniture by Judson Beaumont
Straight Line Designs

I love my studio

2009-09-07T11:16:00.001+01:00

.......it looks a bit bloody crazy at the moment.
Bestival T-minus 2 days EEEEEEEEEE

Vacumn love

2009-08-30T16:47:00.001+01:00

YES PLEASE.......

2009-08-30T14:15:00.000+01:00

2009-08-29T16:56:00.002+01:00

Massive shooting star costume trailing around the fields of Bestival, yaha!

or maybe death star?

or the dude on the far right (he has massive cadbury's chocolate fingers on him)

Thoughts for Bestival Times

2009-08-26T18:26:00.003+01:00

BESTival fever is with us once more, and this year carnival is the theme of the radio. Today me and Maddsworth trailed around East London cooing over pieces of plastic and paper, annoying fellow bus riders on the way back to the blessed studio.

Ordering things from gaffertape.com is my favourite.

Expect pictures soon (the from here looks a bit like a disco and a pigeon had a fight)

EXCITING TIMES INDEEDIO

Building Dens

2009-08-16T14:33:00.006+01:00

Hello treacle,

I learnt yesterday that doing a 1/2 hour writing exercise on a regular basis can actually improve your happiness levels. Who'da thunk it? Nice blog, tanks for bringing me delicious seretonin.

This week I went to the Hayward to see the 'Walking in My Mind' Exhibition with my friend, a curiously talented northern lad called Christopher. After a battle for an invisible Peach we went in the gallery and I did a little inner squeal when I saw that one of Yoshitomo Nara's Huts was the first thing in the exhibition.

Yoshitomo is a Japanese Artist who predominantly draws pastel hued, bubble-eyed characters (quite feminine and romantisised really for a dude who likes to pretty much only wear black) and has also recreated his idealised studio space in the forms of these little self contained huts.

I think I'd poop happy-pie forever more if I could have one of these little wonders, especially the prairy style caravan. I could set off with a kite flying from the roof that simply read 'Amazing'

You know what I wanna do?.............

2009-08-09T15:43:00.003+01:00

.........Strut!

Squeaky Hill

2009-08-07T17:45:00.003+01:00

ooooo and something else I saw that I liked - 'Boys and Dance' on the 'Do you come here often' stage at Field Day. Hailing from the super talented Bristol based Squeaky Hill art collective. A Dance routine fit for flashdance and some rather sexual shiny gold costumes.

Squeaky Hill host a variety of 'happenings' all around the country and at many festivals. I came into contact with them at 'Start the Bus' in Bristol where I did some mural work. They are definitely my kind of silly - totally unpretentious and not afraid to make a total dick of themselves. Their other achievements include - Bottle rocket competitions, 2 many DJ's, Mustache club, extreme apple bobbing and the 'No so' supermarket.

Brilliantly Ridiculous!

Lordy Lord

2009-08-07T13:45:00.007+01:00

I'd almost forgotten about blogging! Well, seeing as whoever 'Cuckeeboo' is has bugged off and left us with no stealable internet connection at home, the computer has been for business only and only in business hours too I might admit (in the sweatbox that is my studio at the moment)

We need a bit of a catch up don't wee? pooh?

It's been holiday time in Sallyland (and some passing of death-defying events) and also busy busy in the throws of festival season with all it's glorious rain-ruining qualities!

First off, we had a big party for the opening of The Beer Gallery a Amersham Garden redesign I curated. I invited loads of terribly talented paintbrush holders to come and splurge their creative brains all over our garden walls, and the results were so magnificent that a good old party was a must. Beer, BBQ, Beats, and Buddies.

I even painted the windows to inform New Cross:

Then it was off on holiday's for me and the one we call 'Sandig' heading to her native Dresden for a big family party, massages for breakfast, too much schnaps, and the beginnings of a new addiction to sausages.....
......and balloons
A hop, skip and a coach full of drunkern teenagers later we joined our friends in Benicassim for round 3 of the festival there.
Some nice relaxing on the beach, messing around with massive black inflatable sausages was just what the doctor ordered, until.........

....God got royally pissed at all the merrimaking, and send a fat bastard wind storm to cancel Kings of Leon and left us holding onto the corners of our tents for dear life. Thanks God.

Needless to say, after a cuddle and an eyebath we were fine and got back to cowering from the blistering heat.

Back to business and last weekend hosted round 2 of our involvement at Field Day Festival, in Victoria Park. After last years day long drizzle, Maddy and Saddy did so many rain dances that they had to invoice for new shoes.

It worked (nearly) and the decorations we made for the new TimeOut hosted 'Do you come here often?' Cabaret Tent held up for the entire day

......poundshop reader's wives bunting

We also saw our Vend-A-Party make it's second outing, decking out the festival revellers with everything they might of forgotten for an amazing festival (mustaches, party hats, silly glasses, bowties, cakes - you know the score) We had a queue for most of the day WOOP!

This photo is for the lovely girls at Lady Luck Rules OK fanks lucky ladies!

Next has been a little comission to decorate the Popbitch golfbuggy of silliness at Big Chill Festival. A competition box, couple of signs and.....

......one hundered Michael Jackson masks (50 sans nose)
oooooo and we've got a market tomorrow.......A Little Bazaar, 12pm-6pm, 131 Upper Street, Islington

Until next time pop pickers!

The Beer Gallery OPENING FIESTA!!!!!

2009-07-03T08:23:00.005+01:00

Wall crystals by: www.bambopink.com

The Beer Gallery is a mural painting project I have curated in the Amersham Arm's revamped garden. It has been a great opportunity for me to showcase some of the best in contemporary mural design and I have met some truly amazing people

There's a opening shindig, this Sunday 5th July from 3pm. There'll be a BBQ, punch and a rooftop DJ! Come laze a Sunday away with us!

For more info on the project, visit the blog:
www.thebeergallery.blogspot.com

Market TOMORROW

2009-07-03T08:17:00.003+01:00

The second installment of our luscious exchanging of handmade goodies is a mere 24hrs away.

A LITTLE BAZAAR
Saturday 4th July, 12pm-6pm
Keston Lodge
131 Upper Street, Islingston

www.alittlebazaar.blogspot.com

Dalston magpie

2009-07-03T08:14:00.001+01:00

My new brother

2009-06-28T21:49:00.004+01:00

Yesterday was one of the most wonderful days I think I've had so far in my life. And that is quite a statement considering all the amazing days I've had so far.
My beautiful big (little) sister Amy got married in the blistering London sunshine to her favouritest man in the world, John Biddle.

A tearful ceremony at Southwark cathedral, which is where John sings in the choir, was greeted in the courtyard by gaggle of Japanese tourists cheering and a line up of several official family pictures.
After being refreshed by a spot of after show pimms and lemmonade (and ice-cream!), we wandered along the southbank - which has got to be one of the most glorious summer spots in the world.
Lots of smiling and photo opportunities later we ended up at Wilton's - the world's oldest surviving music hall at over 150 years old, for what has to be one of the best parties I've ever been to.
Gorgeous food, 20 different handmade cakes, pink fizz, entertainments hour, sing-a-long with a grand piano, and lots of cuddling later, I left the proudest sister in the world, and had gained a wonderful new brother.

Amy is the most loyal, dedicated, warm and loving sister anyone could wish for and I'm so happy that she's found an amazing side-kick for all her life's adventures. John is genuinely one of the kindest people I've ever come across and it makes me so happy that I know he'll look after my sister. I can't wait to be there with them for all that may come.

Now it's time for me to start hassling them to have babies.....I want to be Aunt Sally now please!

xxx

Happiness in the form of......

2009-06-24T22:21:00.003+01:00

......swimming in the sunshine at London Fields Lido.
London is THE best place in the world in summertime.

Addiction in the form of........

2009-06-22T23:08:00.001+01:00

...........chocolate hedgehogs a la The Cake Collective

Something I want....

2009-06-22T23:06:00.001+01:00

.......my own black light. Or better still the ability to glow like I have my own personal black light.

My Friend Jay

2009-06-15T14:00:00.003+01:00

I like love. Love is ace.

My very dear friend Jay has just got married and sent me an account of his big day. You see Hannah, or Mrs 'Honorary Cockney' Stapleton as she shall now be known, is American and those pesky visa people have been trying their hardest to keep her and Jay apart.
They met a few years ago whilst working on a Disney Cruise ship and have had trouble being together ever since - they even both moved to Australia to spend time together.

Jay went across to America Last week and they tied the knot on a beach! I'm so happy for them and can't wait to actually get to spend time with Hannah without the departure date always looming.

Here's the account of what I think is one of the most romantic weddings ever:

Ok so we now have a Mr & Mrs Jay... and I thought i'd give you a chance to experience our day.

The day was so nice and the wedding itself was pretty perfect. The day started with us stressin out, running around doing last minute bits and pieces. Then we got on the road, it took us about 2 hours to get to Corpus Christi, where the beach was. The cars here are about the size of Bournemouth so the highways are scary places. We arrived at out Hotel....but it was more like a motel... Thats cooler anyway!! And it was quite nice, we didn't really know what to expect because we had booked it late the night before, and we just did one of those things where you book it for really cheap but you don't know what hotel it will be.... And it turned out alright.

We unpacked all our crap then drove down to look at some of the beaches. To pick a spot for the ceremony. We saw a few places, and the beach itself was quite nice, but it was facing the wrong way, and we wanted the sunset in the photos. So we rung the woman who was going to marry us, and she said she knew a spot. Sorted. So we went back to the hotel to get changed. Whilst the missus was faffing about with curlers and stuff, I had a Sam Adams and watched the Basketball..... The real American dream.... but being the total opposite of a basketball player (White, 4ft tall and from England) I got easily confused and Bored. Then the misus came out of the bathroom and she looked gorgeous and it made me realise what we were doing, I to my suprise it felt really right. I've never done this before but I took that as a good sign. H's hair was all curled up and she was wearing a cream dress our friend gave her, and she looked so pretty. I scrubbed up alright too, with me new whistle I bought for Sarah's wedding.

The officiant then turned up and we followed here to this secret spot she knew. When we got there it was quite a nice spot, there was a few people fishing and stuff, but on the whole it looked quite idealic. So we picked a spot, and H was stressing out that we wouldn't have any photos of the ceremony, so she waded out into the sea and asked these two fishermen if they would mind being wedding photographers for the next 10 minutes, and it turned out they were pretty good and it. The ceremony started and it took me a while to warm up, it felt a bit strange to be in the middle of a beach with some woman in a robe and two fishermen taking our photo, but H is an actress so she switched it straight on. The woman had asked us if there was a certain poem or anything we wanted her to read, and not really liking any soppy chain email crap we weren't really sure, so we settled on a small extract from It must be love, hoping that Madness wouldn't be a bad omen. By the time of Nothing more, Nothing less, I was said I was in the swing of things and was being swept away a bit by the moment, and the sea breeze. So after that vows were said, rings were swapped and fishermen were thanked. It was just me, Hannah and the sunset, that was probably the nicest part of the day. We messed about for a bit, taking photos, kissing and cuddling. Then the sun went in and our bellies started to rumble, so we got in the car and drove around the highway trying to find something that wasn't a fast food place. Two hours and one near miss with a concrete post and we was in Ihop, which is the yanky equivalent to the Wimpy.... I know how to treat my women. The lady asked us if we went celebrating our graduation and when we said we had just got married, and now we was in Ihop it looked like that was the saddest thing she'd ever heard. But we didn't care because thats our relationship summed up, doing things that made us happy but no-one else seemed to understand. So full of love and pancakes we picked up a bottle of Champagne and headed back to the hotel room, to see out what had been a pretty special day for us.

So all in all or day couldn't have gone any better. It was so fitting that it was just me and H, although I know you all wanted to be there, and when we do it for real obviously you all will. Now we just have all the visa stuff to finish.... which is a pain in the arse, and we should have a new honourary cockney.

Love you all sooooo much, sorry this went on a bit but I thought you'd all want to know what happened....
See you soon. :)
Jay...
xxxxxxx

Smilers

2009-06-14T22:49:00.006+01:00

YouTube induced giggle fits

Sandig's sugar coma

Dictionary definition of Rock and Roll

New Neighbour

For You Treacle

oooooOOOOOOOOoo OOXXOO

2009-06-12T12:32:00.002+01:00

We're doing 'A Little Bazaar' again at this night in Deptford - OOXXOO.
Had lots of fun last time so it should be worth a giggle.

Come one and all next Thursday!

something i saw and thought was nice...

2009-06-11T15:08:00.001+01:00

.....1001 rules for my unborn son

www.sallyleach.co.uk

2009-06-09T12:27:00.002+01:00

Lemas, laughter, loveliness, lampshades and Leeds

2009-06-08T17:19:00.009+01:00

I have been VERY bad at keeping up with my blog. SLAP for me! It's always one of those things....like ringing your nan - you keep putting it off and the guilt gets higher and higher and higher until it seems like the biggest task, when it's not. Just stop moaning and bloody well get on with it Sally. daft beggar.

Ok here's a recap on the last couple of months, and some of the things I have been lending my robot fingers to:

1. Vend-A-Party, 'Nation of Shopkeepers' Leeds
www.anationofshopkeeper.com

We (me and my artistic sister in crime) were asked to come up with a an idea for the launch of a fantastic new pub in Leeds - 'Nation of Shopkeepers'

Made by the people behind the Amersham, and the Lock Tavern in London, I've worked on art projects for them several times, including pubs in Bournemouth, Bristol and Sheffield. It's always really fun as they're fully supportive of my ideas, and pub environments are ace for reaching a relaxed crowd.

We pitched a suitably silly idea to them - of making a Human Vending Machine that dispenses party goods to the crowd for the opening night: VEND-A-PARTY!

And what do you know - they went for it!

We gave out tokens to the awaiting crowd, an gave them a menu of options that they could choose from:
1. Hat
2. Cake
3. Badge
4. Balloon

Once they have decided and entered their token into the machine, we got busy customising the object. We taylor made each item by talking to the customer through the funnel phones.

I think we must of made 100's of customised party favours on the opening weekend, and people loved the idea. Hopefully we'll get to take the machine on tour and bring the magic to folks all over the country!

2. Big Fat Festival Mural, 'Nation of Shopkeepers' Leeds
www.anationofshopkeers.com

Also bringing my brimming artistic bag of tricks to Leeds, saw me doodling all over a huge wall there.
I was asked to create this festival mural, which ended up being like a huge map, with all the details you'd get at a festival - the perimetre fence, stages, beer tents, portaloos, wrestling dinosaurs, Octopus fairgroud rides etc

This is probably my biggest mural to date - spanning both side of a 25 foot corridor, and it made me remember just how much I enjoy drawing. Just me, a pen, a wall and my ideas. I really want to step into that wall.

I also designed some characters for the food menus. It's always really nice to see your work in different formats!

3. Wizard of Oz development, for 'The Dukes' Theatre, Lancaster.
www.dukes-lancaster.org

I've been working of a image design for a children's christmas production of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' for The Dukes theatre in Lancaster. Yes I know it's only June, but promotion starts mega early for these things you see...

I've been playing around with a cut-out style, which is a new but surprisingly loved new technique for me.

4. A Little Bazaar Shenanigans
ALittleBazaar.Blogspot.com

A Little Bazaar has been keeping me nice and busy for the past couple of months. We had a wonderful market, which was brimming in wonderful Jewellery.

And a 'Under the Sea' Themed party with it's own 'HMS Bazaar' boat! (and shark!)

We also have a summer holiday to Islington on the cards....more news soon!

Diesel Radio 3.0
Diesel Radio

The lovely people at Diesel asked us to be part of their next outing onto the airwaves, by creating another, more study Boombox.

Made in our bedrooms (tricky) out of foamboard and 100's and 1000's, we were very chuffed with the results!

We also made a huge boombox mural on the walls...

'Scratch' Signs and A-boards

www.from-scratch.co.uk

I got in contact with a new food start-up business 'Scratch' through YCN and made them a 3D Sign and A-board for their launch market in London.
The idea of 'Scratch' is that you get a fresh, healthy meal all cut up and with instructions how to cook - genius!
It's lovely to see my work helping a good idea. My A-board's the one on the left.

And in other news.....

I went on a lovely day trip to Brigton recently with my big (little) bride-to-be sister, Amy. The Brighton festival was on with some wonderful things to see, and some lovely perusing of shops to peruse.

We went to see the most amazing Circus I've ever seen 'Tabu' www.nofitstate.org
It was in the 'spaceship bigtop' right by the sea, and was in a promenade style - where there are no seats. It was brilliant to be able to wander around as crazy amazing acrobats and trapeze artists swung around, just above your head!
....really made me wanna run away and join them....

ooooo.....and in some very exciting news - I've finally got a studio :) HOORAY!
Below is a picture of it (before we decended on it with force and a thousand boxes of paint, glitter and books.
I'm sharing it with Maddy, and it's relatively cheap too. Gonna go there today and get everything organised - coordinate all my crayons!

I promise to not be so slack in keeping up from now on!

xxxx

Happy Heart

2009-04-26T23:48:00.002+01:00

Today was a good day.

Me and my friends ventured in to a very calm and sunny London town to watch our other wonderful friend Liam run the London Marathon.

After a bus picnic and some larking around with a pretty rubbish megaphone (but still a very happy megaphone!) we got to the 25 mile mark, only to be told (via the chip-satellite locator) that the little whippet had already finished!

A first marathon in 3 Hours 28 Mins! and with a dodgy knee!

My heart is overflowing with pride. Liam's been working so tirelessly to achieve today, running in memory of his mum Do, who sadly passed away just over a year ago.

We were there in full-hat support! GO-FOR-DO!

After the excitement of the race we went for a relaxed sit in the park. Got harassed by some fun-breaking alcohol cops, and saw some fairly nonchalant acrobats chilling and occasionally deciding to do something amazing like this....

London is the best place in the world to be in on a sunny day :)

OOOO arrrrrrgh!

2009-04-16T14:41:00.001+01:00

Our next themed party is fast approaching and this time we're coming to you from the desert island shores of the Amersham Arms!

On Saturday 25th April, the Amersham's back room will transform into a little den of sea-themed treats, including ***SHARK ATTACK PHOTOBOOTH***ZOMBIE PIRATE DJ'S***MAGIC MERMAID FACEPAINTING***BLUE LAGOON COCKTAILS and more merry-making than you can shake a crab at.

All this and only 2 pieces of you treasure will get you in!

Sat 25th April, 9pm-3am, Amersham Arms, 388 New Cross Road, New Cross, SE14 6TY. 0208 4691499. www.amersham-arms.co.uk

www.alittlebazaar.blogspot.com

OOO ARRRRRR!

MEERKAT

2009-04-16T12:54:00.002+01:00

Ey up! I've been well rubbish and haven't blogged in ages RUBBISH!

Been super busy with loads of little projects on that's been keeping me away from updating. It's naughty of me...I'm sorry.

Got a fab market coming up this Saturday which I'm really looking forward to :)

See my Market blog here for more info

www.alittlebazaar.blogspot.com

oooo and....

2009-03-05T23:12:00.004Z

....I created a new blog for our market, and I put the poster for our new party on it. And then I thought it best to mention it on here too, so I put the poster on here as well. The poster has a robot on it and it's in orange above.

I like orange, especially when it's next to grey or purple. mmmmmm purple

anyhooze, the new blogs address for the new market blog is...

ALITTLEBAZAAR.BLOGSPOT.COM

and if you click on the blue writing address above this you'll be taken straight to read it, which is very handy and saves you a bit of time.

Things I liked today......

2009-03-05T22:50:00.010Z

Somebody drew some hands at the end of my street. I think it says 'this is the door to the answers of the universe' in sign language.

Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco.Disco

Maddy likes hair shots, so I like hair shots.

Pissing around with glitter.

New wartime poster will be a true winner in the year of the robots.

it just keeps coming............

2009-02-27T12:03:00.001Z

genius!

Credit: http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm236/orchid_thief/?action=view&current=BathingCapsWithFacesRCrane.jpg

OMG ICBI

2009-02-27T11:57:00.001Z

These should be mandatory dial-a-robots for the hangover curing magic potion!

i love robots.

diesel 3.0 coming soon.....

2009-02-23T13:47:00.002Z

Here is a video for the new Diesel Radio 3.0...coming soon!

We love the Diesel Radio people, they are BUFFTING!

I likes this video lots too, cos there's loads of our work featured in in (the drawings/boomboxes/coloured ribbon installation/bunting/stars etc)

Shame about mark ronson opening his mouth and ruining his hotness...YAWN!

He's sitting in front of our work though, which is pretty snazzy!

TODAY I'M MAINLY DRAWING.

especially for you............

2009-02-21T23:28:00.002Z

some things that happened to me in the recent hours:

1. Went dancing ALL MY SINGLE LADIES to Matter, which is really cool, but i didn't like the fact it's in the massive poo tent that's miles away.

2. Spent some quality time with my german teacher

3. Learnt how to say 'Ich liebe tanzen und schlafen'

4. Watched celebrity come dine with me BRILLIANT but then got hungry and was disappointed my our boring pasta

5. Fell in love with the muppets again. memeemeeeemmemeemeee mee meee

6. Watched a fat girl get clapped for eating some veg on telly (and questioned what our world has come to)

NICE

Museum of childhood!

2009-02-19T15:33:00.003Z

Went to the museum of childhood in Bethnal Green the other day. Me and my friend Tie (who'd come to visit from Glasgow :)) had a lovely stroll along the canal to the musuem (i love living walking distance to things!)

There were loads of toys in big cabinets and lots that I remembered from childhood (I ended up feeling quite spoilt at the amount I have been bought at one time or another!)

It's an amazing day out if you're in London, and the buzz in the air from overly excited childhood is infectious!

Nice cafe too :)

above is a picture of me with Worzal Gumage and Aunt Sally, I remember how me and my sister always used to say i'd be aunt sally one day. Hopefully soon the way things are going!

Right, i think it's about time I got on with my day....or go bake cookies, hmmmmmm.

Ginger love

2009-02-19T15:11:00.002Z

Went to an amazing gallery opening this week - 'Root Ginger: A Study of Red Hair by Photographer Jenny Wicks' at the Ideas Generation Gallery, Chance St, E2.

My friend Megan has been involved with arranging the exhibition and invited us to come down and ogle to wonders of some flame-haired beauties. I've never seen so many red haired people in one room, it was really sweet, and the photo's are amazing, I'd highly recommend it! (it's on till 8th March)

**plus they had ginger beer at the private view! and I mean REAL beer (cobra) YUMMY!

www.ideageneration.co.uk

The Heartbreak Club!

2009-02-19T14:55:00.004Z

Been frantically busy over the past couple of weeks, working like an ox and organising the Valentine's Day market and following party.

Everything went really well and everyone seemed to be having lots of fun. We had a new batch of sellers at the market, with some very special things for sale like saucy knickers, vintage goodies, wonderful jewelry and our wonderful resident cake girls!

I've been inundated with people wanting stalls for the next market, so many that I think we may have to expand it somehow! The next market is 21st March, and I really want there to be a craft-making event running alongside it to, like knitting or sewing. People love using my badge maker too!

Tattoo Parlour...

Heart Shaped Pinata smashing!
Heart-shaped Photobooth fun....
'Dirty Den' Kissing tent!
Brockley Ukulele Group playing love songs...

Our next party is going to be Robot themed! YEAY!

p.s.

2009-02-08T01:11:00.000Z

hot water bottles.......look into it!

mmmmmmmmm warm belly

A little of what I have been up to...

2009-02-08T00:33:00.005Z

Running around trying to do art stuff, whilst holding down not just one, but now 2 jobs = not enough sleep = less time for blogging :( I'm sorry!

Plus internet being a weirdo doesn't help, so while i've got a couple of bars, I wanna do a catch up!

'A Little Bazaar' Launches.......

The 1st of our new wonderful monthly market's launched last Saturday, in a wave of bunting and edible treats. I was really chuffed with the turn out, and the things for sale were amazing!

We Had Vintage, Records, Artwork, Badge Making, Jewelry and Jumble......

One of the stalls was maned by the wonderful chefs Caroline and Alice, who cooked up a feast of interesting sweet treats, including edible glasses and budgerigar Cakes....

The next market is fast approaching (next Saturday for Valentine's Day!) and we're having an all day/evening event. Stalls from 2pm-8pm, then an evening of love-themed fun, including a photobooth, tattoo parlor, pigeon carrier dating service, kiss-o-grams, and lots more, all set to a soundtrack of power ballad style dancing classics!

The Party is called 'THE HEARTBREAK CLUB!'

Come down for a boogie!

In other happenings.....Last Sunday, the day after the market launch I spent a day faffing around with lots of colourful things for a press shoot for 'Bring and Share' (a dj troupe i've known for a while) The shots are to use for press, and haven't been edited yet, so I'll wait to show you the final shots - coming soon!

Here's a teaser of my prop pile, and some furry ice creams!.......

We were in the shoot all day long, in a room with only skylights, and when we got outside, this is what was waiting for us......

5 inches of snow in Hackney! It was unbelievable!

I couldn't get into the work the next day, but instead of playing in the snow with the whole of London, I was a good girl and stayed in to finish some sketches I've been planning for a private commission......

....it's what a tea party would look like if I had my way :)

right..bed!

new post soon.....

2009-02-04T13:46:00.004Z

i've been pretty lame and haven't posted in ages, due to me running around like a maniac juggling lots of fun and not so fun things.......

new post soon, but in the mean time......

...how brilliant is this!

Wish it was this easy to pick a man!

Valentine's day party/market/update coming soon I promise!

p.s....

2009-01-20T01:19:00.002Z

......blue is definitely my favorite colour.

well anywhere between jade and blue gets my serotonin going really. turquoise is pretty special.

just so you know.

what's yours?

OHH POO

2009-01-20T00:28:00.003Z

Had a fun London day today (part 1) since my poppa is down from up north and we are doing fun things.

Here is some of the funnest things that happened today:

ONE. saw the flying dog from SON OF RAMBOW. he is living on a canal barge near my house don't ya know

TWO. saw a nice robot

THREE. ate beans on toast

FOUR. missed getting soaked in the rain whilst buying a new book

FIVE. found a wonderful magazine for children called ANORAK that's made by the brilliant Supermundane, who i'm now going to hassle to let me draw in PLEASEPLEASEMRMUNDANE

SIX. had a fiery ginger beer with my (almost) new brother

SIEBEN. rode on a fast boat (a catamaran absy - and it totally stayed afloat!)

EIGHT. went to the 02 millennium scout tent for the first time, and realised i still shouldn't of bothered because it's daft and rubbish all at the same time.

NINE. pretended in my head that the 02 is a big birthday cake

TEN. drank iron-bru, ate mini eggs and watched 'The Dark Knight' with poppa leach, which i thought was tip top (if just a bit long)

altogether a good day.

tomorrow = science

i know it's a little late.....

2009-01-16T23:44:00.001Z

.....but this just made my heart smile ♥

i think i need to get a job at disney

summer is just around the corner....i can smell it!

2009-01-16T21:34:00.002Z

Benicassim 2007

VERY EXCITEDNESSABLE

Me and anne my german sister booked Benicassim tickets last night on a bit of a whim, and it has cheered me out of cold winterness no end! We've been to beni twice before and made some amazing memories, so i'm very excited that we've got it to look forward to.

I've been invited to go to Dresden the week before for anne's birthday/her parent wedding anniversary, so we'll have more fun there too! and then mosey on down to our spanish adventure!

The top picture is of the dance arena at beni, it's AMAZING! It has these mist things in the roof, that spray you every now and again so you keep cool (it's still ridiculously hot at 6am!YES)

2009 is going to be BLOOMIN MARVELOUS!

tea cups and skeleton brass bands

2009-01-15T17:12:00.002Z

found these lovely objects here: cribcandy.com

heart shaped tea cup, that i can't help but think would spill everywhere, and lamp to store your earrings, what a dandy idea indeed. I can't help obsessing about wanting to have my own place at the moment, and filling it with lovely things and having parties with my chums.

off to the last ever night at the astoria tonight for some dancing. think they're knocking it down to make a new station?

been drawing a skeleton bandstand today for a private commission, i'll post some pics when it's done

oh my god i want to live here so badly.......

2009-01-14T14:38:00.005Z

.............somebody please come and marry me and make me a little den like this to live in and make all colourful and snazzy.

This apartment is pretty much my dream......

c/o theselby.com

something to look at today......

2009-01-13T08:24:00.004Z

this girl is a little nuts, and I don't agree with some things she says (like her unrealistic attitude towards food) but I enjoy looking in on her blog about all things boys:

i'mboycrazy.com

p.s. is it just me, or are american boys not as hot as english boys? it's like on programmes like sex and the city - a lot of the guys they date are so not cute?! even mr big is a bit challenged.

p.p.s thank god the coldness of the past week has buggered off

p.p.p.s boo for the northern-like constant drizzle that has replaced it

* * * * * * * A LITTLE BAZAAR * * * * * * *

2009-01-13T07:33:00.004Z

Hello Disco Cats!!!!!

It's only 7.40am, and i've already been awake for nearly 3 hours - God knows why, but now the little men who built puzzling scaffolding outside my house yesterday have returned to decide they'd like to paint our windows nice and new, and for free, BONUS! only problem being now i've got magic fm blasting away a few feet from me (which I usually love, but not at this hour!) so snoozing is not an option now.

This week i've been planning towards a market i'm setting up with my friend Claire at the Amersham. Which she helped give the best name ever 'A Little Bazaar!' Genius!

We launch it Saturday 31st Jan 2009, then every other week, and we've already got some amazing plans and coming to fruition.

The idea is that it's a crafty/homemade/credit crunch busting market, but that also has general silly things going on that you can get involved/be silly with.

We're currently looking for artists/makers/collectors/sellers etc to be involved, anyone who has a good idea, a piece of cloth, some lovely things and a smile would be perfect. And you don't have to currently be crafty person to think of something to sell, one girl got a doughnut maker for christmas, so Hey Presto - 'Julia's doughnut factory' is born (she even has a syringe for your own choice of fillings!)

Other fun things going on include Kiss-O-Grams, Dress-up Photobooth, Sock Monkey Making, Themed Parties and lots more!

We want to build a little community from the market, play some good music, eat some tasty food, and make some party hats, so GET INVOLVED!

If you'd like a stall, or to get involved, email me:

Leach100@hotmail.com

p.s. the next market falls on valentines day, and i'm already excited about planning a love themed all dayer - Cheesy ballad love-songs, 'Blind Date', Snogging competitions, 'Mr + Mrs', charity date auction and more! I can't wait :)

2009-01-07T00:29:00.001Z

I like these keys. nice idea me thinks.

and this girl is somewhat the snappy dresser:

The snail and the cyclops

ooo and......

2009-01-06T02:17:00.001Z

if anyone has any idea what breed this cat is - TELL ME I WANT ONE!

meow

Hot water bottles and t'internet

2009-01-06T01:30:00.003Z

Hellllllllllllllllo baby!

Happy New Ears 2009! Hope you had a brilliant time doing brilliant things with the brilliant people in your life........I did.

Went to Glasgow to see my very favorite couple, Tie and Jeffory in their new flat, a renovated glasgow tenement block in Partick (or PATRICK as i drunkernly waffled to the cab driver PATRICK?) Was lovely to see them all settled, and I was very jealous of their swish flat that is the same price as my room in London (I seriously wonder why we bother struggling in London sometimes)

I've been ill for 2 weeks now GRRRRRR, and now I have tonsillitis BOO! Getting really fed up of feeling poorly, although I nicked Maddy's hot water bottle tonight and it cheered me up no end. Just wanna get better now so I can get on with all the stuff I want to do.

I've been in bed for what seems like an eon (mind you besides being ill, it's too bloody cold in my room to leave my double duvet, full pj's, socks, hoody and slippers cocoon) so i've been indulging in my favorite pastime of trailing the internet for things to inspire.

I'm currently in LOVE with this website called theselby.com

It's a guy that goes to interesting people's houses, mainly in the states, and takes pictures of where they live (the photos above are some highlights) I love the snooping element, and pinching ideas for interiors I may one day own. The beautiful beautiful New York ones are my favorite (oh to live there!!!! - one day, one day!)

I love the beginning of a New Year. That overwhelming feeling you get that it's a fresh start and the wonderful trumped up determination you have to better yourself.

Some parts of it are bullshit, like people worrying about their weight too much, and starting diets that are probably already over. But it's only a good thing to feel energized in these cold months, especially with everyone hooting on about the bloody credit crunch.

I've decided 2009 is going to be the year I actually get a career sorted. full bloody stop! I'm so tired of doing part time jobs to keep my head above water, especially because they take me away from what I love doing. I just need to work on more ways to be paid from this art malarky. Seriously though, if it doesn't happen this year i'm going to make a boat out of paper mache and cocktail sticks and set sail for....hmmm......Greenland? I heard it's gonna be the next best place to live. Although I think it's colder than here, and I'm not even handling this coldness. Well, anyway, it's certainly far away from bullshit smelly bus rides and crappy free papers.

2008 was a wonderful year, and i'm really happy with what I got done, the friends I met (and the ones I got to spend another year with) The places I went to and the music I discoed to.

Here's to another smily year :)

p.s.

in other news - my sister got engaged! Yeay!

I'm over the moon for her, john is the best guy you could wish for. I can't wait to be bridesmaid for her!

busy busy baking

2008-12-21T19:55:00.013Z

So, every year I try and make my Christmas presents for all my family, and even with my best intensions I always end up with it being christmas eve and me furiously finishing things in my room.

I've tried to be a little more organized this year, and have actually done a tad better. I decided Gingerbread houses would make really lovely presents, put together as a pack with a bundle of sweets and icing.

I found a template for the pieces online and found it's surprisingly easy really. The first batch went a little wrong because I left it in the oven a little too long and it was inedibly hard, but the second one I made for Amy tasted great.

Amy seemed to love the present and we put it together at her flat while watching muppet's christmas carol, very christmassy!

It needed a little propping up with some cleverly placed marshmallows, but it managed to stay erected! Hooray!

I think a key thing to do is to take it out of the oven while the gingerbread is a bit soft, and leave it overnight to harden before you put it together.

Apparently you're supposed to wait till New Year's Day to eat it, but i'm not sure that'll happen!

something for a sunday

2008-12-21T19:34:00.002Z

This scares the crap out of me it's so beautiful, but absolutely terrifying. I've always had a fascination with space, but my over-active imagination can't handle it, and if I think of it too much I'll start crying.

lazy hotpot

2008-12-15T01:01:00.002Z

I always work sunday ALWAYS but not today, today i've successfully stayed in bed all day :)

Made a massive hotpot to cure our smelly hangovers from too much dancing last night, and watched ELF.

I think i've decided that i'm looking for a man who acts like will ferrell in that film. I would definitely marry him. hello elf buddy, what's your favorite colour? too good!

womanizerwomanwomanizerohohhwomanizeryourawomanizerbabywomanwoman

gotta love it.

made a sock monkey today. it's ace and has a big bum and coloured buttons for eyes. i'm gonna make tailored ones as presents for christmas.

oooo and gingerbread houses mmmmmmm

still haven't cut my fringe yet