art equals happy.

Workspace Wednesday no.11

here's a couple of peeks of my new house, while we are painting, so sorry that it's a bit empty and messy.Peter, my flatmate from halls was helping me out for a couple of days before he went back to Ireland for the summer. :] I can't wait for it to be finished, and start putting all of my pretty stuff in it. Sorry, this is a little funny 'workspace wednesday', it's so weird being in-between spaces. kxo

my first house...

is a little one bedroom flat in a building built in the 60's. I kind of love it, and pretty much all of my neighbours are older and kind of potter around, it's pretty adorable. The darling old man who I bought it from left me a huge garden (for London) to play around with. I'm not so great with bugs and things, but it's beautiful so I'm going to try. [:It needs a lot of fixing up, but there is lots of light, and it's the perfect size for me. More peeks of the inside tomorrow for a different kind of 'workspace wednesday'. [: kxo

Tell Your Story/Spring 2010

This is my spring art journal. [: I started it off, at the beginning of Spring but it's so big it's turned into Spring/Summer 2010, haha. I also started it in the Tell Your Story online journal class taught by Rachel and Elsie. Their classes are always good. Anyway, here are some peeks:The left page is probably my favourite. simple. real. and talking about beautiful things. [:(the little instax is taken with my lomo instant back)Thanks for looking. [: I'm not really used to working in a big plain white paged sketchbook. it's interesting, i can't say it's my favourite but it's a nice 'special' place for those big thoughts. loves.
(you can get that pink/yellow stripey paper in the second photo from my shop!)

updates, coming soon!

i have a lot of things to share this week, but just to let you know, it's really hot here (London folk can back me up on this, it's NEVER this hot!) and i don't deal with it so well, so things may be a little late/of track. lined up is:
Photo Class announcement!
Lion Badges in the Etsy Shop
Sharing some journal pages
Before photos of my new house.
and a brand new item by an artist friend of mine, which I think you will just love!
eek! i can't wait to show you!
i hope you're not melting too much, wherever you are! [:

an honest post.

what's new. what's different. what's changed.
am i quieter? nicer? calmer? softer? i feel older. i feel chubbier. i feel more accomplished. i feel like a child still. you were 17, you are nearly 20. i still feel modest. i still feel shy. i have been broken. but i've always loved with my whole heart. i am still kind. i am a little more patient. i do not forgive as easy. i am more relaxed. i still like the same things. i like more things. i know how i want to live. my mind is more open. my hair is lighter and longer. my glasses are the same but not for long. my wardrobe is bigger. my shelves are fuller. i still work hard. i still make friends for life. i am braver. i am stronger. i have overcome more. i am still scared. i still love my parents. i still feel like an only child. i still cry when i think about what i'm missing. i can spell a little better. i still get frustrated. i still want more. i am thankful. i know i have earned what i have by being a good soul. i still melt when it's hot and walk slow. i am still sensitive. i enjoy colour more. i listen to more music. i eat different foods. my goals are still similar. my life is on track. i have learnt not to take things as seriously. i still stress. i still panic around spiders. i have watched horror films. i have walked home alone in london. i have bought a house. i do not journal as much, i know i should. i am home. (photos of me with black hair are from when i was 16/17.)i am glad i am here. it is not easy. my heart has been full and empty and broken and lost and cared for and swollen with pride and lustful but never greedy. my heart has felt love and disappointment. my mind has held too much. my ears have heard a lot of music, a lot of praise and a lot of opposition. my heart still beats, my mind still thinks and my ears still listen. my mouth is quieter and closed more often, although it does get excited and talk too much sometimes. my eyes still see things that others can't. my hands have learnt new ways of working, new skills and my arms have hugged new people and old. my legs have been tired but are constant. i have been to new places and done new things. i have been confused and certain. i appreciate things more. i have taken a lot of photographs and drawn on lots of paper.

i don't think i would tell you anything, young self. expect maybe that you will learn about yourself through the hard things, and that you will be braver with each day, and maybe i would tell you to keep listening to your gut- it is generally right, and you know that to grow you have to stretch until it feels a little uncomfortable. it doesn't get easier but you are loved and you can find beauty anytime you want.
  
these last few years have seen many tears, kisses and smiles. but always i look up and forward and i know it's time to close this chapter and start a new one. the characters from past pages may reappear and i will greet good friends with open arms. as my foundation year ends and the summer rolls in with it's heat, i have to remember that the cold will come again and new adventures await me everyday.

here is to a new house, my house, and new decorating adventures. here is to another move for my parents, and seeing how in love they still are (it makes me so happy). here is to how far i've come already and the whatever lys ahead. here is to starting a degree course soon, and to my dreams of being a shop owner. here is to making real friends and all those good friends i have known. here is to embracing change.

i love you. i have a couple good posts lined up for you this week while i'm slowly getting this house set up. [:

moving house.

Hello Everyone! I'm in the middle of moving house right now, so things are a little up-in-the-air, and I can't guarantee posts everyday, seeing as I don't have a laptop and my computer is the wrong place. I will try to keep things up, but we are working really hard, painting and doing my new flat up. I can't wait to share with you! Last night I had two friends over for dinner and cards, but we don't have a refrigerator yet so it's all kind of odd. It's kind of my dream to just start and make my house into a home. I'm working really hard to make it the perfect mix of modern(retro) and crafty! I'll be sure to take lots of photos along the way and show you how I've transformed it all but you'll have to bear with me.I love you so much and hopefully see you tomorrow!!! kxo
 
 

Private View (&workspace wednesday!)

I know I'm late with my Workspace Wednesday post. I'm sorry! This week has been kind of ridiculous with getting everything ready for the private view at camberwell and also getting things sorted for my new house. I am picking up my keys today, and I'm really excited! But, I'll share more about that later (today, hopefully!).The Private View was so busy! Way more busy than I thought it was going to be, and I sold a ton of these lion broaches:(those are two of my tutors!) It was very encouraging. One of my close friends sold his work, my awesome graphic designer cousin came, people were smiling and talking about their work- it was a great atmosphere. I snapped this before it started, so you could see the view from my 'pop up shop'. This is just one of the Foundation rooms (illustration). I will be listing some lion broaches in my etsy shop this weekend, so you can snag yourself one too. [: (by the end of the night, there were only 3 left so I've been making some more just for you!)I hope you've had an awesome week, I've got to go get packing!!! Love you! kxo

Photography Class, coming soon!

Today, I'm announcing that my Photography class I've been talking about is coming very soon! I can tell you right now that:
-It will run in July. 
-It will be about 3 weeks long. (But you can go at your own pace)
-There will tips on digital and film photography.
-Opportunities to ask me ANYTHING you want to know.
-Ideas for cataloguing your images.
-A few Photoshop tutorials.
-The 'Basics' that have changed my life.
-And a huge amount of ideas to help you document your beautiful, wonderful life.
-some 'how to's on low light conditions and when a flash can be good.
+moremoremore!Before you even think about signing up, I want to say up front that I am NOT an expert. I have read a lot of books, and taken a lot of classes and taken a LOT of photographs with lots of different cameras. I've been shooting everyday for over 5 years and most of the information in this class will be my personal experiences and preferences. If you like my photos, and wonder 'how does she do it' or if you want to have a little more fun or shoot more often then this is the class for you.

MORE about this later in the week. If you leave questions in the comments, I'll try and answer them in the 'full details' post. I love you! 

today:

It's showtime ladies and gentlemen! Maybe see some of you there. kxo

hey dad!

Happy Father's day!
You're such a good guy, and a good husband and dad and a bad comedian, but I love you anyway. I think I'm pretty lucky to have gotten you as a father. Thanks for a fun day today too. London cinema, yummy lunch and bubble tea! Thanks for being so supportive!I'm really glad you're such a goof sometimes cause life's too serious! I hope you like your little buddha drawing I made for you:Love you!