Biscuits for tea

Just stumbled across these screen printed biscuit cushions, made by Nikki McWilliams, aren't they a treat?

January Photo a Day - Part 5

[As I am rather behind on this challenge and February beckons I have had to cheat a little bit and so a couple of photos are from the archives!]

21. Reflection

The sky mirror, by Anish Kapoor

22. Your shoes

Last summer, Indietracks

23. Something old

Our bedroom window

24. Guilty pleasure

Had an awesome breakfast at the weekend at Jam cafe, I thoroughly recommend!

25. Something you made

I embroidered these pillow cases for a friend a few years ago

Film Friday: Incendies

I hadn't heard of this film until Kate recommended it to me. Incendies is a film set in the Middle East, about a brother and sister who are sent on a journey to discover their past, in order to fulfill their mother's last wishes. It reminded me a little of the Kite Runner, which had similar themes. Parts of this film moved me to tears, and although some scenes were upsetting to watch the story was gripping and there is a twist at the end which I didn't expect.

The last time I used a Satnav.

I was looking through some old sketchbooks the other night and came across this little comic i drew in 2009 about driving through rural Lincolnshire at night using a Satnav to guide me. Sorry it's a little rough, i thought I'd share it anyway, if anyone's had a similar experience let me know!

January Photo a Day - Part 4

I have to admit I have struggled a bit with some of these, the dark January evenings have made it rather tough to get nice photos but here's part 4 of the photo challenge!

16. Morning

17. Water

18. Something you bought

19. Sweet

(Yes i still have Christmas coins left over!)

20. Someone you love

Something to brighten up a grey Wednesday

This art installation really brightened my morning. Thanks to hula seventy for the link.

Kodak Moments

Today I read that Kodak has filed for bankruptcy. Quite sad really considering the historical impact Eastman-Kodak had on photography and the film industry. It seems they just couldn't keep up with the way digital photography has taken over. In tribute I thought it'd be nice to share some photos of historical Kodak moments from the past 130 years. You can see more here.

1895: A woman holds an early Kodak camera which was sold with the film already loaded. The entire camera was returned to the factory for film processing

An advert from 1900

Film Friday: Adventureland

As it was available on iPlayer I decided to give Adventureland another watch. In case you didn't see it when it came out, the film stars Jesse Eisenberg as a high school graduate who needs a summer job, so applies to the local theme park. He then meets Kristen Stewart's character and learns a lot about life, love and how to win at fairground rides. As the film is set in 1987 it means there is a brilliant soundtrack along with it.

The Chromatic Typewriter

I just stumbled across these images via narry likes and thought I'd share them with any other typewriter fans out there! Painter Tyree Callaghan modified this 1937 typewriter, replacing the letters and keys with colour pads, the idea being that when you type it produces paintings instead of letters. Not sure how practical this is but it sure is pretty!

January Photo a Day - Part 3

11. Where you sleep

12. Close-up

13. In your bag

14. Something you're reading

15. Happiness

This Thursday!

Tom's band Nordenfelt will be playing an acoustic set at Jumpers for Goalposts this Thursday evening. It's a monthly night held at the Alley Cafe here in Nottingham.

The idea of the night is that there will be live music and everyone will take part in a creative competition. Tom has been working on a set of comics (the front page of which is above!) which will be handed out to the first twenty guests. I'm looking forward to it!

January Photo a Day - Part 2

6. Makes you smile

7. Favourite

8. Your sky

9. Daily Routine

10. Childhood

Heroes of Film #1 - River Phoenix

In order to improve my drawing skills, this month I decided to draw a few of my favourite actors, starting with one I admired growing up, River Phoenix. Phoenix starred in one of my favourite films of the 80s, Stand By Me. He seemed to have a talent beyond his years and it was a shame that his career came to an end so early. If anyone can recommend any other of his films do let me know.

January Photo a Day - Part 1

I'm a bit late in starting this one but after seeing Bianca's photos I decided to play along too! (Which meant taking half the month's photos in one weekend, oops!)

1. You

2. Breakfast

3. Something you adore

4. Letterbox

5. Something you wore

Film Friday: The Artist

Last weekend I went to watch the much anticipated new film, The Artist. It's been in the news a bit this week due to one of it's stars, a little dog called Uggie. I have to admit Uggie's skills were very impressive indeed! As was the whole film - set in the 1920s, this is a silent movie about a struggling film star who doesn't want to lower himself by starring in 'talkies'. The film itself has only music on its soundtrack but still manages to keep you involved throughout the story. I really enjoyed The Artist, (and boy did I want Peppy Miller's outfits) it was a very good film to start off the new year!

** p.s. new Wes Anderson film trailer alert! It has a treehouse, a dog, a record player and Bill Murray in it. Yahoo.

My website is up!

My lovely friend Sarah has been busy making a portfolio site to showcase some of my illustration, design and photography work, check it out here! Any feedback always welcome.

Just a minute - January

Currently...

watching old top of the pops episodes (ok i do quite miss it)

listening to nirvana - incesticide (this song has been cheering me up on my boring commute)

eating leftover chocolate pudding, oh yeah

planning places to visit this year (scotland, croatia, scandinavia, brighton.. the list goes on!)

looking forward to tom's gig next week, visiting friends at weekends (and more chocolate pudding)

Time trades

Just thought I'd share this song, from the new album by Jeffrey Lewis. It's a really nice song to listen to when if you think you've been wasting time and you want to encourage your creative side.

Dragonflies: The final comic

This month I finished colouring the comic I gave to my grandmother documenting the years she spent in her old house before she moved, here is the final version. I really want to illustrate more true stories like this one this year. Just working on ideas!

January, lately

January has never been my favourite month, it's always a bit dark and gloomy after Christmas. However I've been getting through the post holiday period by staying in, making nice homely food and watching lots of films. Had a perfect relaxing Sunday going swimming followed by a game of Scrabble and some warm soup and bread. It's what the winter was made for.

Goat's Cheese tart - recipe here