Day one +5 hours

So jet lag has kicked in big time ... But it's worth it. 

The view from my bedroom window is mind blowing and far from the fields I can see from home.  

The flight was as long as expected but I was very lucky to have had lovely ladies in the neighbouring seats. I doubt they will get to see this but if anyone knows a Vanessa or a Lisa who are in New York this weekend please tell them I was so grateful for their help with the taxis!

Thanks also for the Northumbria girls for welcoming me to the experience so kindly! 

Time to explore! 

Illustrating the Whole City

All the Buildings* in 

New York

*That I Have Drawn So Far

By James Gulliver Hancock

An absolutely beautiful book comprised almost entirely of illustrations: this man is exceptionally talented! 

My boyfriend picked up a copy whilst in the big city itself, and I am sure once I return I will purchase one for my own memory. I feel this is a book that can never grow old, I do not see how people cannot  want to rebook at this beautiful work. When I look at just one of the buildings' illustration I discover a detail I had not before. 

Personal style is extremely important in the art world. Hancock could not have developed his any better! 

I have chosen to share this illustration over all the others in the book as I am in awe of it. Since visiting The otherwordly Times Square I had always wondered how to capture its life, light, sound and overall impact... and well this illustrator has got it to a tee! 

"Product details

• ISBN-13: 9780789324672
• Publisher: Universe Publishing 
• Imprint: Universe Publishing 
• Publication date: 5 Mar 2013
• Pages: 64
• Product dimensions: 197mm (w) x 254mm (h) x 20mm (d)"

[https://wordery.com/all-the-buildings-in-new-york-james-gulliver-hancock-9780789324672?currency=GBP&gtrck=cXROQWxPMHB3aXFwV2Y1U2NXSU9ZVzd1L0RON0RwcVQrUU03dnhNSWNiWXNwVkxvZHBIMmVaZkRNeGYxeTFoanlVK0tUbzN0WXppWXAwWjdHTkg1enc9PQ&gclid=CPmA1P7g7sMCFQXnwgodH4cA2Q]

Remembering, Dreaming, Forgetting, Deceit.

This is more likely the reason I had a gap in-between posts last week. 

Before I go to Sleep by S J Watson had me totally addicted to turning the pages to find out more! 

I have not seen the film, nor do I want to, in case it ruins the book for me. Although I am sure the film is brilliant with the great cast I have seen that is in it! 

[viewmovies.tv]

Having previously worked around those who suffer from dementia, and wishing I could help; and also having fainted before and having woken up completely scared and confused, I could in part empathise with the characters... only in part of course! 

I am not going to describe the content or give anything away, but this book absolutely messes with your head. I do not mean it will disturb you forever or anything serious or indeed bad. But quite the opposite, as I said it had me totally gripped! 

I definitely recommend a read! 

[en.wikipedia.org]

Heres the blurb! 

[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Before-I-Go-To-Sleep/dp/0552164135]

For a long time I have had very weird and vivid dreams. This book has inspired me to record them. Maybe one day they will act as some sort of inspiration! 

A fairytale for women

Ok, I admit it... I dragged my man to the cinema on Valentines day to see Fifty Shades of Grey. 

I loved the books and honestly wanted to see if it lived up to my expectations.

[nydailynews.com]

Most films that I watch after I have read the book do tend to disappoint me, and in some cases ruin that magic I had experienced when I read the story. No way was I expecting the film to be as good as the book, I had my own imagined characters so it would have been impossible! 

But the film was brilliant. Even my boyfriends reluctantly said it was better than he had expected. 

I do however feel this is a film mainly for women. Oddly almost a fairytale for them. A beautiful man, and gosh Jamie Dornan was indeed handsome!

[opi.com] 

I would recommend the book, film and also the sound track to any woman 18 on wards. Despite the bad thoughts that have been directed towards the plot, it really is clever, enthralling and emotional. 

1 + 1 = Repeat Pattern

Flowers are perhaps one of the most beautiful and inspiring things to me. Spring is a super time for me for this reason. However we fortunately have a lot of celebrations January to February that meant we almost constantly have at least one vase flowers in our house.
As I walked down the stairs one morning I recoginised a new bunch as if for the first time. But noting that that could not have been the case as a few of the leaves were just about beginning to wilt a little.

I was particularly interested by the pale purply-pink clustered flowers. This was unusual for me as that is not a preferred colour of mine, and the  flowers weren't overly beautiful. But what appealed to me was the clustering. On first glance they could have been mistaken for one rather large and unusual flower. After closer inspection however it is clear that there is several flower heads from the same stem. I intend to experiment digitally with producing a print/ pattern from these photos.

Catching Up With Ron Burgundy

I have had writers block I think. I have had the time, the ideas but could not find the words!

I have been up in Newcastle having a lovely time might  I add. 

The Quilliam Brothers' Tea House as previously posted was definitely a highlight and also an inspiration. 

This inspiration was the illustrations that decorated the walls. Unfortunately I cannot remember exactly who these were by, but if I had had the money I would have definitely have purchased a couple! 

This encouraged me to draw again and  began drawing for my boyfriend to have on his wall whilst I'm away. This included items I felt relevant to us, though not to each other, and as the title suggests featured Ron Burgundy from Anchorman! 

Since I have returned.. well packing and pancake day is all I can report! 

[If you wish to visit the Quilliam Brothers' Teahouse to see the lovely illustrations, you can get more information via this link: http://www.quilliambrothers.com/index.php]

Apple Crumble tea

Walking past this in my first year this little tea rooms seemed almost magical.

Tea rooms of course serve tea ... usually... hence the name.

But I have never been anywhere where there is a whole menu just for tea! Or indeed Apple crumble tea - which is what I eventually chose as my beverage.

The place is decorated so nicely, old, quirky, cosy and with character. The waiters and waitresses fit the place so well and are very friendly yet professional.

I don't want to give too much away: to spoil the magic, but I highly recommend a visit to "Quilliams" of Newcastle!

You will know if you're in the right place as all the china cups and saucers are printed with their logo.

Those who value fresh local products this is right up your street!

Also if you're a move lover there is a small cinema where movie nights take place in this peculiar, but perfect place!

http://www.quilliambrothers.com/index.php

Carrots, Elephants and Wet Willow

As always, I loved helping ST-ART run a workshop for a local school on Tuesday. 

The year 3 class had been looking at Africa and it's animal inhabitants. 

Therefore the Ropewalk based art charity decided to split the class into two and run a class that resulted in two elephant lanterns, of a similar size to the children,

being produced.

These lanterns were created from soaked willow, tissue paper and masking tape. Not the easiest materials to work with!

The kids were all so proud of their hard work and rightly so! 

This was rewarding enough for me, however I recieved an extra bonus to helping out - the Ropewalk's award winning carrot cake and white hot chocolate! I urge you a trip to the Barton based art gallery and cafe if you're a lover of art, food or culture! 

Origami Gifts

Tomorrow is my last shift at the charity shop before I leave the country.

Monday and Wednesday afternoons have formed a fab crew of people who were have many laughs and friendly banter with. 

I will genuinely miss going here twice a week and seeing the friendly faces. 

With little money in my pockets at present and around ten terrific people I wanted to thank, I decided that they would appreciate the thought of a handmade gift. 

For the ladies I made fabricated and embellished origami flower broaches, and  for the men I made skull and owl quilted badges. 

All seemed to appreciate the effort and the personal touch. 

Really this post has two purposes for me:

1) To thank the lovely people at St Andrews Hospice for including me and complimenting me each week ( enough you make my head explode).

2) To show those that are a bit strapped for cash that all you need is a small skill, a little time, and a thoughtful idea and your gift will be gratefully accepted.

 Also the ideas and inspiration I have gained from both the shop and the creation of the gifts is great! 

Bra-illiant?

I'm very picky when it comes to underwear. Infact I'm very picky full stop. 

My university course encourages us to look for gaps in the market. One that I have recently recognised is that for uncycled underwear. 

I will buy most things from a charity shop, but underwear is one thing that I would not. 

I have many sets in my own collection that I do not feel as nice are as I'd like to in them to be. So with no fashion contour lingerie experience, I decided first to start by editing my old items, rather than begin from scratch. 

I had noticed that front fastening bras were often plain and unattractive, so this was one element of change I made to my back fastening bra.

After much editing and embellishing this is the final result. 

I am not sure if I would wear it personally and certainly not every day, but I am rather pleased with the result. 

Unfortunately I did not take any photos of the original bra. However it was a green lace, back fastening cup bra with straps. 

Orange and Full

The sky is something I find incredibly beautiful. Last night it was particularly aesthetic. As my boyfriend's Mum and I drove over the Yorkshire hills we had a fabulous view of a very large orange moon in the navy sky.  At first I began to question what I was seeing: surely the moon couldn't be that orange, I had to be mistaking it for the sun?! But no, it was definitely the moon. We pulled over, as odd as it may seem to try and capture the beautiful sight, however the positioning of the nearest lay-by, along with my temperamental phone camera could not give it justice. 

We were later informed the moon appeared as it did because of the position of Jupiter, and the fact that  it was a full moon. 

According to EarthSky, tonight  you should be able to see Jupiter, the moon and star Regulus. So take a look out your window people, I'm sure it will be amazing!

https://www.facebook.com/EarthSky

Fault in Fretting

This would have been better, perhaps deeper and more from the heart if I'd written this on Sunday. However I feel there is sometimes a thing such as too much public emotion and so I have left this post until today to allow my thoughts to process. 

Like any film, or indeed anything views and reviews are very much divided on the film Fault in Our Stars. 

I have always wanted to see this since it entered the cinema. But, as all things do in my opinion, it so happened that I did not get the chance until Sunday. 

There is no denying that I'm missing my friends, my boyfriend and people in general whilst I am at home and waiting to depart on my American adventure. There is also no doubt that this time has allowed me to fret over the what-ifs and buts of being so far away from my loved ones. 

Every now and then a little perspective is needed in our lives and watching this film at this time certainly was what was required. 

Predictable the ending  may have been. I don't think a more emotional and real outlook could have been created so well as it has been with Fault in Our Stars. I'm not going to go deep into the film and describe every little bit, or in fact much at all of it; I just wanted to highlight the effect stories can have on an individual. 

I spoke to my boyfriend shortly after the film and he was delighted at how my outlook on our now long distance and soon to be longer distance relationship had changed. It made me realise just how lucky I was to have him at all. It made me rationalise my thoughts and think actually in the long run 8 months isn't that much of our life. Most importantly it hit home that there are many people in much worse off positions than myself, after all we are both well, happy and very much in love. Positivity is key- thank you Fault in Our Stars for comforting me! 

Image from:

http://m.imdb.com/title/tt2582846/