THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT completed!

I have completed THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT and posted back to the USA, and see logo on the right.  This is not to be confused with The Sketchbook Challenge which I am following but not participating in.
My Sketchbook isn't pretty and wonderful... I really don't work that way.  I choose the theme Lines & Grids and could have done more with it but for a couple of things.  Firstly I did everything twice.  I decided not to pay for it to be replicated, and not to photograph it myself, but instead to make it all in duplicate, at least that way I always have a physical copy.  Secondly I kept thinking of ideas, such as, I can stitch over wire, I can cut up the wire mesh I have, I could use wooden bbq sticks - but I started to worry, wire, grids, perhaps not sensible to include in a padded envelope subject to scrutiny!!  And wood is organic matter is it OK to send across the water... I watch too many of these border control programmes!
So now well and truly I start with the 2011 projects.  I did win the Ebay last week, and the item has arrived, and no I'm not telling you what it is, so there!!!  Actually, its because writing down the ideas for you all to read is scary, will confirm it all, and make it real.  At the moment I have a perfectly constructed masterpiece, which looks absolutely gorgeous, admired by all - in my head.  Soon the reality of making and doing, will have other thoughts run through the brain cell - like "who thought of this stupid idea then" - so let's keep the illusion as long as possible!

Computers Arghhhhhh!!!

Just venting here.  These electronic boxes have taken over my life, indeed they seem to contain my entire life.  How did it get like that, when I said Noooo, we aren't going to let this be the centre of the universe, the internet will be handy for occasional use, ha, how many people fell off the chair at that one!
So I'm venting cos these electronic gismos are causing grief.
First the printer, which still hasn't been replaced.  Last night the netbook refused to switch on, it done that before, but after much poking prodding and shaking its back woking.
But today the external hard drive which contains ALL my stuff is not working.  I don't keep anything on the main computer in case it fails, so everything is on an additional external drive.  It appears to be the power cable, which of course is not just a cable comes with a huge box thing in the middle of it - every gismo in the house seems to have one, and none of them are interchangeable, mad!  Will You (me) go and see about a new one - err no, the moment there's a technical question I will glaze over.  Heck I still use a carriage return, stop shouting hit Enter at me!!
All is not totally lost if the drive is dead cos of lack of power - we are good and do back up everything regularly and it was last done over the Xmas/New Year break, so not that much will be lost - and this is where my little record book comes into its own, cos it will say what it is I've done and when, so I can check for the latest bits.  And there's irony here... last week I ordered some disposable fountain pens, perhaps they should have been quills?  Sigh

LET'S GET BACK TO IT!!

Well, the holidays have passed, and for us ended much as the year began with hospitals.  Himself's side of the family, a relative in for the week before Xmas, unexpectedly, and my side, betwen Xmas/New Year an accident at work resulted in a bad fracture and surgery.  Cross fingers that having been us, and one on each side we're done with hospitals for 2011.
But I try to keep this blog for arty things, life has enough trivia, I don't want to bore with mine!
Boxing Day I discovered himself dismantling the printer, as you do at this time of year.  Hooray it worked.  Boo its died again.  Shock and horror to find that not every printer will print double sided, let alone multi pages on one, booklet printing, so lots of investigation needed to find a replacement.
I've written out my thoughts and ideas for the ERTF juried exhibition: Concepts & Meanings.  I'm hoping to win something on Ebay today, which will help... if not lucky will keep looking, there's time.  I feel excited and also very nervous.  I feel like I'm in with the "big girls" - proper artists - my "concept" is something I've never tried before, and entering a selected event is also new to me, even writing out all my thoughts, inspriations, ideas so far, feels so very grown up!!!  Heck I've even got ideas for work for the accompanying shop - I'll have to have a lie down, its only the 4th Jan - might be peaking too soon!!!

Happy Holidays

What is this?  Well I don't quite know how to describe the finished version.  But these are pages for a book, small 6" x 4".  2011 will be the sixth year I've kept this little book.  Its important to me the size, and the pages, always made from multi coloured paper, this time K & Co scrapbook paper.  Its one week over two pages, and its a record/diary/accounts book I suppose.  First started because whenever people asked me, "what are you making" I'd usually say, oh nothing.  Thinking that actually I didn't spend much time doing, I decided to actually record what I did do.  So in this book, bullet point type notes, eg "worked on pink panel" - no details, just that.  I also list when I done tasks for my EG, things I order or buy, the price and where from, and when magazines arrive.  This week I've had Fiberarts, Embroidery and CPS digital came last night.  All of this is really useful, especially if you need to check up on when did I make that order, should my magazine have arrived this month - I want more of that product where did I get it.  A few years back I came across the phrase "that which is recorded gets done" - so I guess as I work in isolation, this little book helps me focus, and importantly is evidence that I am actually doing!
The pages need shuffling so not all the same colours are together, and its need assembling and the date labels, which are prepped, but the printer died yesterday.  So to my reluctance I think over the holidays we will have to go shopping, a new printer will be governed by certain things, price, what will fit in the space and whatever the shops have!!!
Jingle Bells, well that is the last thing which are added to my book.  Spiral bound I attach tiny bells (off the cat's toy actually, he doesn't like) - so useful to find the book amongst everything, just have to knock the table to hear a ringing to find it.
Wishing you all the very best for the holidays, thank you so much for dropping by to read, and we will continue with the art journey in 2011.