Rocking My World Friday...

Blimey, it's a long time since I've done one of these. I went through a period thinking maybe people didn't want me keep putting personal posts up - maybe you just wanted to see the book reviews and arty crafty shenanigans... Surprisingly, I started getting messages hinting that maybe these posts I thought I was foisting on you - well, some of you at least quite liked them. And missed them. And what the heck - it's my blog and I like counting my positives. It has changed my whole outlook on life after all. So they're back. Here's a wee recap of  the past few months.

I'm still doing Slimming World - I don't have a recent photo of me but I do have my little graph. So far I'm up to 3 stone 2lbs loss since May 1st. The benefits on my back have been huuuuge! I still have bad days - this week has been pretty bad - but that's the cold, damp weather. It's been nowhere near as bad as it would have been this time last year. I love doing Slimming World too - not just for the health benefits but for the support and friendliness of group too.

These two. They are getting on really well. Really well. It's eerie. It happened so suddenly too - the trying to murder each other or send us all crazy with their bickering... just seemed to stop over night. I'm not sure I trust it. Maybe they were abducted by aliens, maybe they are plotting something. Either way, we are enjoying it while it lasts.

And when did they grow up? Who gave them permission to do that?

This one turned 7 - she is finding her feet a bit I think. No longer the baby. Testing boundaries. She makes me laugh with her one liners.

This one turns 2 tomorrow.. Where did that two years go? As cheeky as his big sister, also testing boundaries. It's a battle of wills at times with these two. But they're so funny and so cute and when we all realise who is Boss... (probably them!) Things will settle down. Hopefully.

The three biggest monsters are all doing so well at school. All I hear is how helpful, polite and hard-working they are. We attended an awards ceremony the other day for Devvie - she won an award for excellence in English. I couldn't be a more proud Mum.

As for myself, well I must have passed the pre-course test. They phoned me the same day and I started GCSE Maths. Not going to lie, I don't understand most of it. But am surprising myself at how much I'm enjoying it. Not just the Maths but physically going. As many of you know I don't tend to embrace social situations and I have been proud of the way I am over coming that this year. 

With the help of my girls being like little personal tutors when home and an amazing friend putting up with me asking to explain things in an idiots guide kind of way... I might just get that C I need to apply for uni!

Talking of uni - I went for an open day on Sunday. I was sick with nerves, especially being surrounded by fresh faced teenagers. But the course looks amazing. The uni looks amazing. The students and tutors that I spoke to were, yes, AMAZING. I'm glad I went, I got all my questions answered and it gives me renewed determination to apply for 2016.

There's another open day next month, at the place I want to do my years Access or Foundation course next year. So - next step, aim to get there.

Craig - his support has been amazing. Not just in coming with me to the open day and supporting my decision to try this... but in every way. He's been fantastic.

So that's the big things, here's a few little 'uns that just made me smile:

• Waking up to find Pheebs has made my Slimming World weetabix muffins on a Saturday morning.
• Pheebs general obsession with the Great British Bake Off.
• The new Doctor Who
• New boots - blokes biker-looking ones that are sufficiently girly enough to make me happy.
• The WW girls (you know who you are) 
• Walking Dead fest. Finally watched season 4 over a couple of days. (Box set! Yay! No spoilers for the new season please)
• Secret Santa swaps starting.
• Building my art portfolio. Stressful, scary (that it's not good enough) but enjoying it.
• Pinterest.
• Amazon window shopping. Wish list shuffling. (Every day I'm shuffling.)
• Tea.
• Wetherspoons veggie curry.
• Cuddles with my babies.
• Craig's Mum.
• My Dad.
• Friends and family that have come at little notice when I've needed them (Again, you know who you are. Big love.)

And that'll do for a little catch up wont it? More regular posting from now on I promise. I'm popping over to Virginia at Celtic House to link up.

Thanks for stopping by today :)

Secret Santa

Sign up now CLOSED

Image from keepcalm-o-matic

Morning all - just a quick post to let you know I will be closing sign up tonight and messaging you with your victims either tonight or in the morning. If you'd like to play, make sure and message me using the email button on my sidebar - put Secret Santa in the subject line of your email so it doesn't go into my spam folder.

You can read all about the swap in my last post here - thanks for stopping by today :)

Halloween Junk (Junque) Journal - Sent

I'm taking part in a Halloween Junk (junque) Journal swap over on UKScrappers. We make up our journal covers and put together 20 elements - pages, tags, bits and bobs etc. We then send these to our lovely host, Rebecca. Rebecca then mixes up all the bits she receives from everyone, does some kind of magical hocus pocus and then reassembles and binds the journals. We receive back our covers containing Halloweeny scrumptiousness made by lots of different people. Doesn't that sound fab? It does.

So here's what I sent. My covers aren't finished yet, surprise surprise, I got my dates mixed up. I'll finish them off when it comes home.... 

Back of an A4 pad cut down.
Modelling Paste
Gesso
Acrylic Paint & Archival Ink
Torn up cardboard box
Stencils

Double sided scrapbook paper
Print out of one of my creatures turned into a pocket
Monster game card in the pocket

Graze box
Print out of my zombie picture
Scrapbook paper
Found & reassembled words from an old book page
The writing is the Vincent Price bit of Thriller scrawled over and over again.

Simply a piece of  double sided scrapbook paper cut down to size.
Gorgeous in it's own right.

Double sided scrapbook paper
Image from an old magazine
Acrylic Paint

Scrapbook paper
Acrylic Paint and Archival ink

Scrapbook paper
Print out from itkupilli
Old magazine image
Washi tape, brad & gem circle
Bat card from my stash

Graze box
Scrapbook paper
Quote is a print out from the web
Tag made from scrapbook paper and a print out of my zombie image

Double sided scrapbook paper
My zombie again
Brads
Archival ink
Zombie game playing card

Double sided scrapbook paper
Print outs from the web.

Sssh. Don't tell the others but this is my favourite page.
Paper Frankie collage (Took ages! Seriously!)
Double sided scrapbook papers
Archval ink

These are the extra bits I popped in to make up my 20 elements.
I also found some postcards to pop in but seem to have neglected to photo them!

I really enjoyed this one - can't wait to see what comes home.

Thanks for stopping by today :)

Secret Santa

Sign up now CLOSED

It has been brought to my attention that I should perhaps get my bum in gear if we are going to do the Secret Santa again this year. Mentioning no impatient names. *Sideways look at Virginia*  Can you believe this will be the forth year? Do we get to call it a tradition now? I reckon we do.

I haven't made a badge yet but will do over the next couple of days. This little picture made me smile, so I'll share that to be getting on with. What with my GCSE lessons, I have maths on the brain at the moment...

Image borrowed from magicalmaths.org

OK, I've thought quite hard about this and am sorry to put my Scrooge hat on so early in the post but I have a couple of things I have to get out of the way before the fun stuff.

Firstly, bearing in mind the rising costs of postage. I am tempted to make this a UK only swap this year. However, if I get enough international peeps who would like to play and are willing to post to each other, I'm more than happy to do that. Also if you are in the UK and willing to swap internationally - be sure and let me know. What do we think?

Secondly - please, please only sign up if you can post on time. Simple enough - everyone needs to have their gift to open on the big day - clue's in the name of the swap.

/Scrooge hat 

I'm going to copy and paste a bit now from previous years because:

a) we just got the 4th season of Walking Dead on DVD and because stupid channel 5 didn't buy the rights for that season (or for Once Upon a Time either) we haven't watched it yet. We are just up to those scenes in the prison! So, oh - oh, I want to watch the next episode. 

b) There are only so many ways you can say "come join our Christmas swap."

c) I'm lazy.

So. How do you fancy taking part in a fun, fun, fun Secret Santa swap?

You will put together a fabulous Christmas gift for your recipient. Stalk well. Find out what they would swoon clear away over. It can be anything. ANYTHING. Handmade, stash, books, chocolate... just tailor it to your person and fill it with yuletide cheer. I want you to be skipping around sprinkling your festive glitter. Sing carols while you make something gorgeous - it's allowed. 

I'm sticking at the minimum spend of £10 (Roughly $15.95 USD according to xe.com) if you wish to spend more on your recipient, feel free by all means but be aware that your sender might not be in the position to do the same.

In previous years people have been happy to receive good quality second hand stuff - books, stamps, vintage/retro items. Means you'll get more pressie for your buck is what I'm hearing! If you don't feel this way  please let me know so I can pass it on to your Santa.

If you want to know something in particular about your recipients likes etc, email me and I will email them for you anonymously. Obviously I am the only one who will know who my Santa is. So that one wouldn't be anonymous.

Things I need from you -

1. Who you are.
2. Email address
3. Blog address, Facebook arty crafty page, Pinterest or similar (for stalkage)
4. Postal address
5. Some likes/dislikes. Do you have a wishlist online?

Please email the above to - whoopidoo at btinternet dot com (You can click the 'email me' box on my sidebar.)

Sign up will close on the 15th of October
I'll then email you your victim
Stalk, stalk, stalk.
Make, spend, gather, rummage, eat chocolate and buy some more, wrap, wrap, wrap.
Posting date. The 1st of December so it will (hopefully) arrive in good time.
Stalk postie
Shake, rattle and feel pressie
Try and resist till the 25th 
Mad tearing frenzy with lots of whooping
Meet back after the big day to show off our gifts (if you want to, I always love nosing at what everyone else got!)

Be sure and tell me if I forgot anything?

You can check out the links to previous years here, here and here. This might give you an idea of what other people gifted.

People taking part so far: (List will be updated as people join)

Me :) - Present on sleigh - Delivered.

Virginia of Celtic House - Present on sleigh - Delivered.

K of K's Crafty Corner - Present on sleigh - Delivered - Blogged Here.
Ally of Ally's Space - Present on sleigh - Delivered.
Carol of Pouring My hART Out - Present on sleigh - Delivered.
Laura of Beads, Buttons & Birds - Present on sleigh - Delivered - Blogged Here.

Have you been naughty or nice this year? We're making a list, and checking it twice...

Thanks for stopping by today :)

My Celtic Pony

So, that secret hush, hush project has reached it's new home. I can share now. Remember my duckies? I haven't done anything like that for ages and had a hankering to have a play. I had a birthday coming up and I knew the person liked the duckies, she owns one... so what better excuse, eh? 

Introducing... My Celtic Pony otherwise known as Dark Star or Celtic Sanguine... her new owner hasn't decided yet but am loving the name suggestions that are coming out.

Here's how she started out, all innocent and happy and totally unaware. Tralala.

"What a lovely day to visit the pony spa!"

"Ooh, how soothing, a clay body mask."

"I say, is this really necessary?" 

"Oh, this is interesting..."

"Er, what's happening?"

"Nothing like a day at the spa to make you feel like a new pony!"

*Swish*  Because I'm worth it.

I was kind of sad to see her go, pony got attitude! In case you're wondering what I used in all the in-between steps that I haven't shown (thought I'd already overloaded you with pictures) here's my "ingredients"...

Air dry clay
Gesso
Black acrylic paint
Alcohol ink. I did her hair first in drawing ink which was a disaster! It kept coming off on my hands when I handled her and it faded within days. These pictures show the success that was had with alcohol ink. Thanks Sarah, for the tip that CosPlay peeps use that (or Copics) on their wigs - that's one to remember!
Posca Pens
Glossy Accents
Scissors - to give her a trim.
And Loom bands - I knew they had to have a use other than popping up all over my floor!

Thanks for stopping by today :)

Behind The Curtain... Again!

Well, hello strangers. Long time, no see.

I know I have already done one of these, but a couple of people have asked me again and it was quite close to having done mine so I said no. Then a while passed and Claire asked. And things change, so I said yes. You know Claire, right? She of magical paper sculptural wizardry? No? Go check out her blog, dig through. She is huhmazing!

This is that never ending blog hop and here's a little bit about what I'm up to right now...

1. What am I working on now? 

I've just finished a top secret, hush hush, something something that I hope to be able to share in the next few days. I have to wait for it to reach it's new home first. It's of the 3D variety rather than a painting... but shush, I've said to much already!

I am also trying to build my art portfolio - apparently you kinda need one to apply for uni ;) I'm using this book to help me.  I have no clue if what I am doing is what they want - I just hope it gives a flavour of what I do... and is, of course, good enough! (Those nails I grew? Non-existent again!) There is an open day this month so I'm popping along to see what they say.

I'm also working on a Halloween junk (junque) journal for a UKScrappers swap. We make the pages up loose, send them to our host, they get shuffled up, swapped about with everyone else's and bound into the covers we've made before being sent back to us. Sounds cool doesn't it?

2. How does my work differ from others in my genre? 

I don't have a genre. I at least now know what I want to be doing, finally - I want to tell stories -  I think it's called narrative art? Is that a genre? That's what I want to be. A narrative artist. People to look at my stuff and see a tale or two - whether it's the one I intended or the one that comes to them. I think I'm on my way... I hope I am.

3. Why do I create what I do? 

Still the same reason - because I have to. My head gets to full of weirdness otherwise. Cam is not a happy bunny when she doesn't create.

4. How does my creative process work? 

Really, trying to scratch and scrabble a half hour here, 10 minutes there. Do something with the little time I have in this mad house. I am doing my Maths GCSE at the moment, started last week. I am hoping that gets me into a routine of allocating myself time that I can carry on after the course ends. Already I am doing way more than the 2.5 hours a week minimum they require of study. Way. More. At least double that. So when I finish I am making damn sure that time goes to my art.

As for inspiration, it's everywhere - in the swirls of the carpet - in the ever changing colours of nature... in The Walking Dead.  It's just getting myself into the habit of translating ideas into sketchbooks and beyond. And finding time.


The final part of this hop is to share some of the people who inspire me. A quick thing to do would be to say check out the "Places I  Lurk" on my sidebar. I lurk there for a reason. I am going to pick out a couple of people though - because that's the name of the game, to keep the hop going so that there is this ever growing circle of fabulousness.

Nicole of Made by Nicole, now -  she's already taken part in the hop and her post is here. I have loved Nicole's work and style for years but in particular her 3D assemblages. Check out my favourites here and here. She's amazeballs! I'm going to have a crack at something in her style for my portfolio. 

Sian, From High in the Sky. Sian is a natural born story teller and if she doesn't publish a book someday it would be a crime. She just happens to illustrate her tales with beautiful scrapbook pages too.

Then there's Helen of Stamping by H, I don't know where she finds the time in the day but she is another prolific mixed media artist. I love her journal pages and tags, so much texture. So very sharing of her techniques too. I might also be slightly jealous of her arty stash! She has a photography blog too which is here - I love to virtually walk around the beautiful places she visits!

So that's me up to date. Thanks for stopping by - it's always appreciated. I wont leave it so long next time, I've missed my second home ;)