playtime

So I've spent a whole week procrastinating and pretending that I'm doing something useful. I wish my work were more of a constant, rather than ebbing and flowing as it does - sometimes I feel swamped and then it all goes away very suddenly, leaving me floundering in my own inability to self-direct. I am at a loose end this week, so I've been thinking about the things I could be busying myself with if only I had the get-up-and-go that I am so severely lacking on days like these. I saw this post over on illustrator Dani Jones's site the other day (via another blog I can't remember). It lists 101 things to do if you are an illustrator with a bit of time on your hands between projects. I thought it was a good list but UTTERLY terrifying. I am so bad at self motivation that all these great ideas just scare me.

So maybe I should have a go at some of those things, or find some of my own. I've long wanted to get back into proper painting: doing something a bit more 'arty' than just drawing silly characters and scenes. And maybe I'll have a go at papier mâché - creepy masks and cool animal puppets with fabric clothing could be fun to make. I only ever made a very bad papier mâché hot air balloon when I was very young. Time to play, I think. Now I just need to find a place where I can make a sticky mess!

Today I've been playing with my blank matryoshka dolls and have finally started to colour a second set. See the original set here.



This weekend the husband and I are off to North Wales again to nose around yet more houses, and we will be dragging my Mum with us because she's all lonesome at home with my Dad and sister away. I can't wait! Have a good one, whatever you're doing.

One Hundred Days no.96

My friend the garlic lover again.

Etsy

I've been awful with this Etsy lark. Haven't updated in ages, so I've just re-activated a few items. I shall think of something new to make and sell soon, I hope! Click here to go to the shop or use the sidebar on the left.

LSA recycled glassware

When I was in London the other day I popped into Heal's on Tottenham Court Road and spotted a few things I liked. In particular I could barely get over my desire for these stubby recycled glass tumblers (the short ones) made by LSA. They look very ordinary, I know, but trust me, they are much more elegant in the flesh, as it were, with subtle faceting, tiny bubble inclusions and a lovely colour. They are really simple but well made, and they suit my rustic/eco taste. Get them slightly cheaper (although I couldn't be arsed to read about delivery costs etc.) here. Wine glasses and dessert bowls are also available.

One Hundred Days no.95

Ever drooled on your favourite toy in your sleep?

London

Oh dear. I really shouldn't be let loose in London. Not only did I buy a lovely grey coat for the husband but my hand, uh, slipped in Urban Outfitters and I ended up with these trousers in navy. Oops! They are just the thing I've been looking for, though, that's what I'm telling myself.


I also had a close encounter with these shoes at the Faith sale (Faith are in administration so everything is 20% off right now) but I walked away at the last minute. Seriously, I could have done a lot of damage to our bank balance yesterday if I'd let myself. Thankfully I only got the trousers, although I could have bought up half of Urban Outfitters, including these super-impractical suede booties. Dangerous.


OK, enough with the clothes! I'll be back with some drawing later this afternoon.

peg leg trousers and a blouse

I am away in London today running a few errands and seeing old colleagues for lunch. I might even go and draw somewhere interesting in the afternoon. Alternatively I could go on the hunt for that elusive spring/summer jacket that I've been looking for ever since I consigned the last one, faded and ragged, to the bin. Or I could go to Gap and get the husband the coat that he has been eyeing up but which he hasn't found in the right size yet. He, like me, is a pretty average-sized person so whenever something is popular, it always runs out in our sizes first. Annoying!

I thought I'd bite the bullet and show you a couple of things I've mentioned before, namely the sewing project from last week and those pesky peg leg trousers that I keep prattling about but never photograph. Well, here they both are in all their combined peculiar/androgynous glory. Sorry about the rubbish photos - I am not brave enough yet to get the husband to take pictures of me whilst I prat around in silly clothing so I'm doing it on a timer or in the rather dusty bedroom mirror.


The blouse is the sewing project from last week, and was inspired by the one from Jackson, Johnston and Roe that I blogged here. I haven't decided yet if I will sew tiny opaque white buttons to the placket or leave it as is. Amateurishly, I made the pattern up myself, so the fit around the shoulders isn't perfect (it's a bit funnel-necky on someone as square as me) and it's a b***** to take off! Oop! Maybe I'll get better with practice :-) But it was fun to make. I have never made a garment with sleeves before so at least I've learned something!



In order NOT to look like a bloke, perhaps some heels might be in order, but I'm in socks here. Never mind if I look like some random from the 1920s or 30s - I love these pictures of girls in menswear and workwear, from Wikipedia and The Selvedge Yard.

the weekend

was wholesome. We went on a pleasant 6 mile amble between the villages of Cavendish and Clare in Suffolk, and took in a few antiques in Clare. I nearly bought an oversized tweed 1970s jacket suit for £12 and a Scandinavian enamel milk churn but in the end I bought neither, which only serves to increase my thrifty wholesomeness I think. It was all very Constable and bucolic, and the weather made for some interesting light in my photos. All that farmland makes me yearn for something a bit more wild, though. Something a bit more Welsh? I haven't adjusted any of the colours because I'm on the computer with the colour problems so sorry if they are a bit off. That said, the light really was weird on Saturday.





On Sunday I finished off my little sewing project and puttered around in the garden, which has gone BOOOOOMPH!! in the last week (yes, that is my onomatopoeic word for 'the goddamn bindweed has shot up and is strangling my lavender etc.'). I also made some lovely Finnish style gingerbread biscuits and a tasty fennel risotto. Achievement!

Aliens

Wow. How did it get to Friday already? That animation job didn't materialize in the end because of copyright issues with the style that the client wanted. So I've been finishing off this Dorling Kindersley job and doing some sewing (I'll show you next week). Here's a snippet from the UFO book spread (it makes a lot more sense when the text is dropped into the beams of light because each beam tells a different alien story):


It was good fun to do. I hope I get more work like this because it's easy and enjoyable. I love being paid to have fun!

What are you up to this weekend? I think we will be going for a walk and a pootle around some villages in Suffolk. Hopefully this time I will remember to bring my camera! Have a good one x

One Hundred Days no.94

I love how my neighbours yell at their insane dog as if he understands what they are saying.

and... more chairs!

Remember this post about some Bauhaus swivel chairs at Pigeon Vintage? Well, I just found this seller on eBay in Germany who sells similar chairs for a lot less than £325. Nice!

Image from the seller.

One Hundred Days no.93

A quick one today. Remember to eat your greens or your tentacles won't grow nice and long.

Tucker

It looks like I'm going to be stupidly busy until Friday - yet more work is about to land on my desk with a tight deadline, and it's animation as well, so I'll be up into the wee hours on Wednesday night at least.


So I thought I'd leave you until Friday with a link to a shop that I wish I could afford something from - Tucker by Gaby Basora. I don't normally do loud prints, but something about the cut of the blouses and the casual retro chic of the shirt dresses gets my attention.




All images from the Tucker webshop.

One Hundred Days no.92

Oh dear. I seem to have been stumbling at the last hurdle with these drawings. This is how I feel after the weekend I've just had. Lazy drawing. Sorry.