* Jasmines umbrella *

Farewell...

2012-01-09T07:35:00.000-08:00

I am now posting over here on my new blog! Thanks to anyone who read this one! :)

2011-05-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

Since March I have been working on commissions for American Greetings. Here are a few little examples.....

2011-03-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

There is so much to tell at the moment, except I only have time for just this right now...

(listening lots and lots)

2011-03-07T06:57:00.001-08:00

It's a beautiful day here in Cornwall, very spring like! I have a spare afternoon to paint so I thought I would share what I am working on at the moment....

Oh if you knew what it meant to me....

2011-02-16T09:20:00.000-08:00

For Valentines day I received peach roses, champagne and a mixtape full of lovely songs including this one, which I can't stop listening to...thankyou Dale...X

Sneaky peek...

2011-01-31T07:57:00.001-08:00

I have been quietly busying myself over several things recently, so instead of getting on and not sharing here are some little snap shots of work I am doing...

2011-01-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

This weekend has been quite grey, so Saturday was spent trying to concentrate on drawing and not being tempted by a nap! Sunday...pastries and the paper in bed on a rainy morning and a trip to the sea...

Speak of the devil...

2011-01-14T02:21:00.001-08:00

I was very surprised after my last post to receive a little package in the post from my agency, containing a few packs of cards from America! Here was me thinking I would never see the end results of any of my work..and they were kind enough to send me some!

I was really impressed with the printing and all the little details they add....

2011-01-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a little example of where my commissioned illustration work goes...

I don't often search out the results of these commissions, I am not always thrilled with the things I am told to illustrate! But it's all still progress from studying for years..and finally being able to illustrate for a living!! So I will make sure in 2011 I account for each of them since they are the reason I am not stuck working full time in an office!!
(This particular design was for another greetings card company, Papyrus early last year. Most of the work I produced last year was licenced out to American designers, I am not sure Valentines cards for daughters are quite as important over here!?)

Happy New Year!

2011-01-09T12:05:00.001-08:00

One of my resolutions this year is to make a little more effort with this blog!
It's a lovely way to look back and share nice days, things I have achieved and things that inspire me....

So, the first weekend of 2011. (I am not counting the previous one as inevitably it begins with a hangover)
This weekend was spent mainly walking and enjoying breaks of sunshine...and clear skies. Which meant excellent stargazing conditions!

We were thrilled to see that last week the BBC were showing a series of live stargazing programs and even happier that there were follow-up events going on everywhere to get involved in.
We were lucky that just a few miles away an event had been organized by the Cornwall Astronomy Society, so wrapped up and armed with binoculars we headed over to a very dark, busy pub car park to be met by a good crowd keen to look through some of the amazing telescopes that had been set up to look at the moon, Jupiter and stars. I was amazed by the detail we could see on the moon, I had only ever seen photo's where the craters were so clear....my view was a little like this photo...

We were also showed Jupiter and it's three moons! After my toes finally gave in to the cold we headed up to the hall to defrost with a cup of tea and an exhibition of mighty telescopes....followed by a fascinating talk about the planets and stars....and got talking about some handy tips for taking digital photos of the night sky..something which I haven't even attempted before fearing you needed specialist spacey equipment...but now I can't wait to try it out! Watch this space!!!!

Sunday has been spent in the fresh air in the woods...

I hope everyone has had a lovely start to the year x

2010-12-05T02:03:00.000-08:00

Horray! Cards printed in England!
Most of the illustration work I do ends somewhere overseas or on websites so I never get to see the finished printed result, which is always the most exciting bit surely!? I have just completed some work for the gallery I have worked at for.....maybe 6 years...so this has been a really lovely project...and I get to sell them and see what people think first hand!

Please take a look on the website, where they can be ordered..(find me under 'cards') ...and let me know what you think!

2010-11-14T04:31:00.000-08:00

I haven't completely forgotten about this little blog..its just work work work..all good things, which should be recorded on here really, but for the moment I am thinking 2011 will be the year that I commit to this blog and try to advertise and circulate it a little..
For now here are my first Christmas card designs, availiable at my shop:

2010-09-11T05:02:00.000-07:00

EEk!
Haven't written in ages!
Just wanted to share this beautiful video Dale found, some beautiful starry pictures...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11213528

Blossom

2010-05-06T11:56:00.000-07:00

The flowers here are looking pretty...

2010-05-02T04:43:00.000-07:00

New artwork over at my shop - http://jasminesumbrella.bigcartel.com/

2010-05-02T02:57:00.000-07:00

Thankyou to Sophie for introducing me to such lovely music!

Bright as yellow..

2010-04-19T00:37:00.003-07:00

I haven't written in so long and want to get back into the habit, mostly so I can keep a track of all the things that inspire me...
I have been working lots over Easter in the gallery and on illustrationy things, so haven't had much time to sit and look and reflect...

But summer seems to be here, and even if it seems too early I don't mind..Cornwall looks so beautiful and we have already enjoyed barbeques on the beach and falling asleep in the sun..I feel like I am on a permanent holiday!
Dale and I even camped in the garden one night...it was still very cold, but since we made the tent into a nest of duvets we were fine :)

I am looking forward to the bluebells.

Oh and the other day we unexpectedly saw the most amazing meteorite we have ever seen! It was indescribable really...but moved really slowly, had the brightest green trail and just looked unreal..this was after seeing two shooting stars a few nights before...we are very lucky..

Here are some photo's I found on weheartit
which I like at the moment...they make me feel summery..

Isn't the one where the lady looks like a huge flower in her dress amazing..

Pretty Saturday afternoon film..

2010-02-27T06:54:00.000-08:00

APRICOT, short film by Ben Briand (sponsored by his incredible actors and crew) from Moonwalk Films on Vimeo.

A Little star..

2010-02-15T14:31:00.000-08:00

The best gift in the world..a real star...thankyou thankyou thankyou x x x

The star can be found near the constellation 'Lyra' (which reminds me I must read The Northern Lights again soon!)..and I can find that on my star globe! I can't wait to see it....!

*All images found on flickr,apart from mine!*

A pretty song.....

Signs.

2010-02-05T12:19:00.001-08:00

I have been thinking about coincidences today.

Then I happened to accidentally find this short film. I think its rather sweet. The guys expressions make me laugh..especially his obvious gawping and flustering around!Teeeheee....but all in all I like the sentiment...

I am sorry if this doesn't appear to fit on my page...maybe watch it on youtube instead!

Belle and Boo

2010-02-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

I am in love with these pictures....

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They are very lovely..more here..

I am very excited about Valentines day this year..I have made some Valentiney cards for my shop here.

I have been working on some card designs with my agent. Here is one I just coloured..

Sleep time.

Haiti

2010-01-17T08:36:00.000-08:00

I have produced 25 limited edition prints for my new shop, with £1 from each sold going to Oxfam in aid of families effected by the Haiti Earthquake...

'Singing Bird'

This little owl also needs a new home!!

To order click here:
http://jasminesumbrella.bigcartel.com/

FOR SALE!

2010-01-15T10:57:00.000-08:00

I am selling two original artworks!
Please visit my little shop to order: http://jasminesumbrella.bigcartel.com/

'Love Bird'
(click on images to enlarge)

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'Attached'
(click to enlarge)

crikey.

2009-12-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

You are the sun, the moon, the stars...

2009-12-04T12:28:00.001-08:00

This is some artwork I recently made for a band. It still needs a few tweaks, but I quite like it how it is, or was.

2009-12-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

I have been keeping up with my crochet practicing when there is time and recently made some flower corsages, I even sold a few!

2009-11-24T12:50:00.000-08:00

Having to work so much is pretty rubbish sometimes. The piano in this is pretty.

Bright Star

2009-11-14T01:56:00.000-08:00

This film was beautiful...

Anna Emilia

2009-11-02T00:13:00.000-08:00

My friend Ben recently recommended I look at the work of Illustrator Anna Emilia..whilst trying to convince me to join Twitter ( I am still not convinced) But he was very right on the recommendation- her work is so pretty!

I like the cool colours she uses, and the way that you can see the texture of the watercolour paper..and the delicacy of it all..and all the patterns...lovely.

Look here for more...

Oh I keep listening to this song...i like it when the piano gets faster...I thought it was kindof rubbish when I first heard it but now I keep listening to it!..and she must like cats if she has a cat on her jumper so I like her.

2009-10-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

I am very bad for never posting any illustration work on here...I am putting this on here to remind me to finish it..I started it so so long ago..

(It's a girl who can't find the words.)

Now for the treat!
This is beautiful..I love it...I am curious to know what the perfume smells like...

Lula ♥

2009-10-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

Issue 9 of Lula dropped through my letterbox today!! It isn't sold anywhere in Cornwall some some ebay seller has made a pretty penny from me I can tell you! But it was worth it, beautiful and inspiring as always. http://www.lulamag.com/

Here is a video Lula made with Topshop- its pretty and a little creepy- the best of all the combinations?

p.s- I only noticed today my blog seems to cut the edge off some videos, a little annoying, best off watching on youtube if you want to see them properly! I will work that out when I work that out. x

little lion man..

2009-09-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

This was good to watch at end of the road...we especially enjoyed the thrusting. undulate for sophie!!!! all these men are pretty dam sexual.i will talk to that keyboard player one day.

2009-09-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

This is a picture I made ages ago, it's the closest I could get to sad. Is the man rowing towards or away from the lighthouse? Who knows? It's all a mystery. Such is life.
This is going to be a sad bit of blogging. Brace yourself!

Its an awful thing to feel sad, but if I ever feel blue I try to wallow in it in a spectacular fashion to songs like this, which are both heartbreaking and comforting. Then maybe I will watch something uplifting like...Lion King or something..I don't even own it, but I am sure its on youtube in ten parts, think the grand Circle of life would do the trick on its own.
Tune in for more useless information anytime, right here on this blog, roughly 3/4 times a week..sometimes even a day!

(just caved in and watched 'can you feel the love tonight'...oh Elton, Simba...Nala...I most certainly CAN'T)

Kiss a frog?

2009-09-24T03:45:00.000-07:00

Found on Found- http://www.foundmagazine.com/find/1221

2009-09-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

I am making a promise to myself that I won't write on here unless I have an illustration to accompany my waffling. So here's one, (even if I didn't do it today...i mean it was obviously at a time when I found drawing hands even more of a challenge than I do now!)

I just keep seeing things I like and since I think I am probably this blogs most faithful visitor....I may as well fill it full of things I want to remember?

Now. Here's a lady is obviously doesn't take her self all that seriously? But I agree that there really is a meat market down the street. This makes me laugh anyway.

be a woman.

2009-09-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

I made this picture a while ago....but i thought it was similar to the last and maybe it would be nice to do a series of them for some cards...hmmmm.

I am in the habit of listening to 'Only skin'- Joanna Newsom... six minutes in, over and over again...i think its the most beautiful part of any song, ever. . .

I'm humming a threshing song
Until the night is over
Hold on
Hold on
Hold your horses back from the fickle dawn

I have got some business out at the edge of town
Candy weighing both of my pockets down
'Til I can hardly stay afloat, from the weight of them
(and knowing how the common-folk condemn
What it is I do, to you, to keep you warm
Being a woman, being a woman)

But always up the mountainside you're clambering
Groping blindly, hungry for anything:
Picking through your pocket linings - well, what is this?
Scrap of sassafras, eh sisyphus?

I see the blossoms broke and wet after the rain
Little sister, he will be back again
I have washed a thousand spiders down the drain
Spiders ghosts hang soaked and dangelin'
Silently from all the blooming cherry trees
In tiny nooses, safe from everyone
- nothing but a nuisance; gone now, dead and done
Be a woman, be a woman...

2009-09-17T05:10:00.000-07:00

This is a little picture I did for my friend Sophie.
After spending the weekend away with some dearly missed buddies I have been feeling a bit funny all the way down here in Cornwall. I keep feeling nostalgic about the days when all my friends were around me all the time...now everyone is all over the country..and the world! I miss going out dancing every weekend..seeing familiar faces and being in the loop. I am definately not in so many loops these days. Lucky the ones I am in are pretty nice.

End of the road...

2009-09-15T03:40:00.000-07:00

Was worth waiting until the end of the summer for this. Sunshine the whole weekend, lovely company, lovely music and lovely surroundings.

Here is a whispertown 2000 video...we spent some good time dancing to funk in the forest with them...they seem like really fun people!!! pretty pretty too!

Hush hussshhhh

2009-09-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

When I watch this I feel like going to sit with them and maybe give them all a hug, they all look so sweet. I hope they are and they are not just pretending! I love his voice...this makes me smile...

You are my hero Dulac!

2009-09-06T10:16:00.001-07:00

And actually most of the illustrators I aspire to are French.

2009-09-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

Wahoo! its quiet at work again so I can doodle my heart out!

MOONBOW.

2009-09-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

Is my new favourite word and I knew if I didn't write it somewhere before I fell asleep I would live to regret it if I forgot. nighty night *

A-moooo-zing!

2009-09-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

So, Cornwall has been the host of a delightful public art project...http://www.jackscows.co.uk/home/...it was splendid to seek out these cows about town and country, but also very nice to see them all rounded up around some bunting and benches in the Hall for Cornwall.

Smiley Cow!(Noah's cow)

Nice touch Noah...

Special sparkley Cow..(DJ Pat)

Pretty Cow..(Isabella)

Cool cow..(Cowakazi)

Injured cow (Cleo..the climate cow)

Silly silly people ripping his ear off...you should be ashamed...

Lets make a cake.

2009-08-30T02:57:00.000-07:00

It's a rainy day...

So watch this!

I made this cake the other day. I think it would cheer up Bret.

2009-08-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

Its always bitter-sweet when you fall in love with a song from an advert. But at least its for a notebook....not a car...or a phone. I hate phones.

* S P A C E *

2009-08-18T14:35:00.000-07:00

Right, worth a mention, last week I went to sit in a field with a friendly stoat named Dale...to watch the meteor shower. Mr. Porkinson was there too. Unfortunately the clouds prevented any spectacular viewing, but 2 evenings later BAM!...first I saw a HUGE one!

LIKE THIS-

So, with renewed faith we dashed to a nearby patch of darkness and YES! there were more!! Its pretty and exciting. Pretty exciting.

We also went to see 'Moon'...look here...http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/moon/trailer.html
It got me thinking about space...and I like to think about space. Very well acted, very interesting, very good.
Over and Out.
(oh and I take no credit for these photo's...just google finds...well done to whoever took them...you clever people)

Ice cream & Clotted cream, lazily rolled in homemade flapjack.

2009-08-10T01:33:00.000-07:00

I feel really bad for not doing much drawing recently, but there has been lots going on..like Jades wedding...working and looking after Jade's house...and Sophie and David coming to visit. We ate clotted cream every day...I can't wait to camp with them at end of the road..and I am pretty excited about the food...and the music of course.

This is me and David..pretending to be famous?...then pretending to be explorers?then maybe me just pretending to be Jenny Lewis and David pretending to be a sleaze??
oh and then David pretending to be God.

I like this song! She is so sweet, there are about 10 albums I want to buy at the moment but I am so broke...but I had to buy a new ipod!

W E D D I N G!

2009-08-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

The most magical day......it was actually perfect...I have never wanted to re-live a day so much..I can't describe how overwhelming it was to see my sister get married!! She looked so beautiful and grown up! It was also lovely to be bridesmaid with Emma-Jane and Hayley...both two very very lovely and special people. It's amazing to have all these people you never get to see in one place!

01/08/09

2009-07-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

I still think this is the prettiest song ever...............

2009-07-24T04:38:00.000-07:00

Recent things I like....

I finished my first crochet blanket! It's a little bit small and far from perfect..one of these squares is obviously wrong..but I didn't have the heart to re-do it..it took me forever! I made it for my recently married friend(and band buddy) Charlie as a wedding present...i just hope she has another little girl soon as I think its probably even too small for Josie!

The best part was making this little label!

I am enjoying my growing collection of tap shoe style footwear! There is even one pair still waiting to come back from Bristol...they are the best ones to.

I love the fact that someone has finally decided to put the field at the back of the house to good use! I can watch them growing...but all the rain worries me slightly!

I am at work and I am so very very sleepy........i only have enough tea and milk left for one cup!eeeek!
ooooooo I like this song......

Firecracker

2009-07-21T23:33:00.000-07:00

I really REALLY like Ryan Adams. I will be listening to Gold at work today I think. It reminds me on lying on a tennis court in Spain when I had it on cassette and my stupid walkman kept running out of battery!

waking with the birds...

2009-07-20T02:23:00.000-07:00

I am going to practice keyboard today! I am very fond of it, but can't say I would marry it and have little keyboard kids......

catch your dreams before they slip away..

2009-07-19T07:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a memorial service up in Devon for my Grandma and Uncle Victor...it was lovely to hear old tales of Dad's childhood and to catch up with all the family.
My favourite story was about how Grandma used to teach dad's gang of rugged male friends to knit sweater vests by the fire when they came in from nights out! Oh and also how she wouldn't go to bed until all the cats were in...think we are perhaps very similar :)

Even better there were alpaca's in the field next to the hall!

Grandma was a big Rolling Stones fan...so I like the fact they were the first proper gig I went to!
Philis Niblet..this one's for you!!!!

just killing time.

2009-07-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

I keep meaning to do this....I have a facebook page for my illustration work. It's nice and simple to pop new bits of work up and get some feedback..so please become a fan if you can :)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jasmine-Foster-Illustration/101369653536

Gee whizz i need to go to see an exciting band or something. This is the disadvantage of living in bloomin hobbitsville. It's absolutely pouring down too. Where did my summer go? Come back!

(I am trying to play my own special version of radiohead's 'true love waits' on ukulele right now. Its a bloody joke. I love that song and I am doing a good job of making a massacre of it) I have this song on a mixtape..it always sounds really nice played from that cassette.

p e a c h y

2009-07-12T13:05:00.001-07:00

I have spent the whole of today having a clear out. These things start with good intentions and just end up a pile of crap on your bed, but I have got through the worst of it and my room is looking less like a pile of stuff...more like a collection of stuff. I have realised I own lots of pastel coloured items.....peach in particular. It's a funny old colour, one that I often associate with bad bed linen..with frills......but still, I do love peach. Especially with grey. Grey and Peach.

I got chased by a group of four angry cows this evening. They are usually pretty passive as I try to sneak across the field...but today one literally turned on me. After many close encounters as a child, due to my innocent attempts to rescue bunnies from my ruthless cats, I have learnt that turning on them in a jumping jack/star formation sortof way and looking angry usually stops them in their tracks.
If you run it's terrifying...they just CHARGE. I couldnt out-run a charging cow I just know it. So this evening I performed my old move and it barely made an impression! And the cow was even half roaring at me through its mooing!(really really loudly because I could hear it over my headphones) I mean GOSH! I honestly thought me and these cows had an understanding...I thought they might even like me by now. How wrong. Now I am afraid to do my favourite route down through the fields again.

I like to think the cows were maybe pre-warning me of danger ahead and they just would not let me pass for fear I could get harmed by a suspicious character and his dog or something. Or maybe I just wore a colour that offended them....

This is truely a bother to me.

Its a very nice evening tonight, after the weather being un-summery of late, which means I am hoping I will get a chance to swim in the sea again next week.

I am going to resist the urge to put any videos or anything here because for once I would like to keep it simple. A simple chat about cows innit.

DANCE DANCE DANCE!!!

2009-07-04T02:10:00.000-07:00

This is the best!!!!!!

2009-07-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

.......i want to prance about in a big dress in a big country house being chased about by a handsome fellow..and i want her stockings quite a lot........

I'm only sleeping...

2009-06-29T23:06:00.000-07:00

I can't sleep properly at the moment..i am working in the evenings which I am not used to..so I keep falling asleep in the afternoon. I woke up at six this morning...and I just made a card...and now i am back in bed with a cup of tea. Bon Iver are the best, although listening to them is not doing a great job of getting me into work mode..but very nice all the same...I think I would marry Justin Vernon, in fact I am sure I would. He looks like the kind of man who could build a bird house. We could live in a wooden shack and he could sit on the porch and sing all day...hmmmmm...zzzzzzzzzzzzz

As the world fall's down....

2009-06-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I am obsessed by the film Labyrinth. Today I went somewhere which got me in the mood to have a Labyrinth evening (me, my cat, the film and a cup of tea really...but still)
There were big bolder rocks everywhere and bogs! I wish Ludo had been there, but Nathaniel is a worthy replacement!

This clip is especially for my sister..who is soon to be wed..we always used to say we wanted to look like Sarah in her big puffy dress when we got married! To be honest I made sure Jade's dress did have a slight resemblance...maybe a little more tasteful..but it still has a little touch of Labyrinth to it. Not sure Pete should try to recreate this classic Bowie look for the big day though!

Midsummer's day...

2009-06-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

I haven't been feeling very well....I hardly ever get ill, especially the ill where you feel sick, which is horrible as I have a fear of being sick....I was so excited to have a day in the sun yesterday, but I had to keep retreating to my bed as I felt so dizzy! rubbish. :(
But anyway, I found some nice things to keep me amused between drifting off to sleep....

This is really sweet and quite addictive once you have made a proper tune!
http://www.lullatone.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/raindrop.swf

The moon tonight is beautiful...(as always!)..its a proper crescent..(I took this in a rush hanging out my bedroom window...which has the best view of the sunsets in town..or country)

And I love the illustrations in this video, especially the sea bit!! It reminds me of my little friend Sophie!!!!...who I miss very much..

Chivalry is dead...

2009-06-23T01:12:00.000-07:00

..but the sun is shining!

2009-06-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hmmmmmmmm.....tomorrow is my first day off for 6 days....and I am convinced the sun will be shining..i really really want to go in the sea, I have waited too long.
These are a few things from my sketchbook I take to work. I started a big picture today that I am really excited about, I like it when I don't have to think much about what I am going to draw and it seems to just appear!

This girl is a little sad isn't she..she's a little weird looking, the girls I draw always end up looking alien like! I forget that what I am drawing is obvious to me, but perhaps no one else...she is sitting on the end of a bed...not wearing a wig...

And here is a video...I have been listening to Thao Nguyen today...shame I can't say her name..but this is a lovely song...soooothing...like a lick of ice cream!

Bigmouth strikes again.

2009-06-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

I want to put up some more artwork...which is what this blog is supposed to be for, but I am having trouble finishing things...I have about four pictures on the go, I am lacking space to paint things so lots are just drawings waiting to be coloured.
I didn't like this song much at first...but I listened to it five times in a row this morning on the way to work. It's sortof addictive. Its one of those songs which must be played really loudly though. I think I may run away and live in the woods..preferably somewhere out of signal so I can't use my phone to sabotage anything else.

The sky's blue so what should we do?

2009-06-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

Lately things have been as they should be at this time of year. May is usually my favourite month..but this year June has beat the whole month in a matter of days..

The gallery is extra quiet when the sun is shining..doodling..

I want to be sat here every Monday...preferably in the same company.

So recently things have been mainly about flowers, birds, bbq's, tan lines, doodling, trying to play ukulele, cocoa butter, your face, Mr. Porkinson, gargling ducks, otters, meerkats, bats...the usual summer things.

I have been listening to this song lots. It makes me laugh. OUT LOUD. I do hope we do some serious dancing to this at end of the road in September!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You send me

2009-05-07T02:04:00.001-07:00

Working in the gallery has been very quiet recently...so I am passing the time by filling up my sketchbook. I am really enjoying just using pencils at the moment...I might start to do some bigger pieces just drawing.
Here's a cover of the song that inspired the picture...which is all the more relevant as today I became the proud owner of a purple ukulele!

Oslo...

2009-05-07T00:35:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to write about my trip to Oslo back in March for a long time. The problem is when it is sunny I am not disciplined enough to stay indoors on a computer! I wait for rainy days but then those are always taken up by catching up on the work I should be doing.
Here are some pictures from the trip..with a few notes I made whilst exploring..

When we step out of the plane I think its going to be unbearably icey...but it feels really fresh, the air feels so clean. There is snow everywhere and the sun is bright. Everything is so quiet and serene. The airport is pristine and open..and light.
We get on the coach to the city which takes us through stunning snow covered avenues of trees and windy paths with icicle covered walls. The water droplets look frozen in time.

All the houses look typically Scandinavian and the bright yellow and red wood stands out against the pure white untouched snow.
I listen to music for the whole two hours and feel like I am in a bit of a dream.

I want to live in a little village in a red wooden house....

This feels like the coldest day...I want to wear a big sleeping bag with arms and legs...

Lets drive up to the fortress in my bubble car...

As we walk through the entrance of the Viking ship museum, I try really hard not to look at the huge ship to my left before I can give it my full attention. I became a little obsessed with Viking ships at primary school after we made a full size cardboard replica stretching across the whole room in class three. We also made paper mache helmets and got to sit in the boat and pretend we were on a voyage.

The detailing in the wood carvings is so beautiful and amazingly well preserved. I find it hilarious that the ships were found with lots of ornate combs and lavish clothing so that the ruthless Vikings could always keep their hair neat and look stylish whilst on their missions!

In most of the galleries and museums I seem to be the only visitor...I feel like I have the whole place to myself...which is nice because I can look at everything properly without getting too distracted.

Yippee...this song has appeared again..

2009-04-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

picture postcard

2009-03-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

I am very glad to be here.......................

Because people write funny weird things everywhere in strange places.................

I've been walking about in the sun..listening to The promise ring because they remind me of this time of year and sitting about in the sun.....now i am quite tired......so i am going to make a hot chocolate and listen to Mazzzzzzzzy Star....zzzzzzzzzzz...nap time

nothing new to you

2009-03-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

This is something I drew to go with a song a wrote....its even got proper music to it, not just words...but sssshhhhh it's a bit special...in a rubbish way

Ring a ding ding

2009-03-05T05:45:00.001-08:00

Handmade by my sister Jade.....
I have always wanted a ring like this..silver with a copper heart..and somehow my sister seems to have created it without me ever describing that to her...its perfect and I love it very much.

xxxxxxxxx Thankyou xxxxxxxxx

A nice video for you...

sketches for my sweetheart the drunk...

2009-02-26T03:35:00.000-08:00

Here is a video that makes me chuckle. Its for the song 'Bruises' by Chairlift- I don't think there is a proper one yet- so I had a look at some peoples efforts.....this one is just a couple of random men trying to do handstands (some very good attempts I think)...walking about in a comedy way...raking the grass...etc. Rob and Carl seem pretty cool chaps. Wherever they are looks pretty...and this is very apt for today in Cornwall...its very spring like and lovely....yaaaaaaaaaay.....

Post me a pancake?I'll post you a pancake.

2009-02-24T06:38:00.000-08:00

I had the most amazing surprise in the post..a package of the most joyous instruments I have ever seen!!!

I did this sketch today. I am working with this lady who wants me to do more card designs. She gave me a bunch of quotes to work on. I don't think it is commercial enough, but I am going to try to be a little more persuasive about the work I like to do...everything up on the site at the moment makes me cringe and recoil a little. In fact that quote makes me recoil a bit too.

As for the pancakes...most years I give in to the classic lemon and sugar combo. I just feel with anything else it all gets a bit to out of hand. This year though, I just went absolutely mental- there were blueberries..bananas...ice cream...lemons...honey, anything I could find, on it went..the whole shabang. Three pancakes later and I am in PAIN.

The instrumentations are from Ellie, David and Sophie. Thankyou a million times over. I miss you just like the deserts miss the rain. This song reminds me of y'all...mainly Sophie shouting out 'woodcat!....woodcat!' when we went to see them :) and also driving to Brighton. Lovely days.

Twee.

2009-02-23T11:09:00.000-08:00

I have a couple friends who like to refer to me as 'twee'. With good reason- I have been used to that association for a while. I am pastel coloured I suppose. But today, this has really really annoyed me. I spent the afternoon finishing my first proper song. I played it back and realised that even though it is about something which hurt me, I have still somehow managed to make it sound like a nursery rhyme.
I worry that no-one will ever see outside the twee and take me seriously. Even that rhymes and sounds silly. sigh.
Anyway, I also nearly finished a picture today, it is from a childrens story I have written about a carousel which only appears at night. I suppose I should let myself off for it being 'cute' because it is a childrens story...but I am beginning to have a slight crisis over all my work. Everyone always says that it reflects my personality...but I am not sure I want to be just looked at as a silly girl in a dreamworld anymore. Maybe I should give in and start watching the news.

Oh! I know what I want to add. Listened to Regina lots today. It's been a while..she is still one of the best people I have seen live..one of those completely captivating people....and his afro is pretty captivating also....

24.

2009-02-22T05:10:00.000-08:00

Horray! I am 24, which I feel is an extremely important number, what with the hours in the day and atomic number 24 - a hard brittle blue-white multivalent metallic element; resistant to corrosion and tarnishing.
I think 24 will be fun. I got so many amazing presents that I have actually put them all in one big case so I can rummage through them like a treasure chest. I ate most of my cake before I got a good picture.

Pigs..girls...the best sunday cd..from Jade..Becki and Matt...

Vintagey paper from Jadey...

Mum bought me tulips and hyacinths...the stems were so big I had to put them in a tea-pot....

Tea cups and unicorns from Jade and Emma Jane....

Cats and feather lights from Ellie and Dan....

Butterfly things from Dan and Becki!

Amazing unicorn book from mum!...

So many pretty things. Didn't I do well. *Thankyou everyone!* I also went to a resturant and actually chose the crab I ate from the tank....and tried to drink Beer and gin and tonic which was like forcing myself to eat cottage pie...call the bank...or go check the oil and water in my car. I am rubbish at all three.

Since I have been listening to conchords wisdom all day here you go. I would like to do some party forest frolicking....

In every grain of sand...

2009-02-18T11:27:00.000-08:00

I worked in St.Ives today...I bought and ate loads of fudge from the shop opposite. Went for a walk on the beach afterwards. It's kindof warm now like spring. I went and sat in the cool swirly step bit at the entrance to the Tate..it reminds me of eating out of a lunch box on a school trip there in school. The steps seem much smaller now...but its one of those buildings that seems to have maintained its pristine look. With lots of hard work and paint no doubt. I like the fact its so windy and curvy and round. I would like to live in a house like that one day.

I can't watch this video without thinking that this lady has the inside story. She knows what type of cat I want, the type of tea cups I have and what I spend most of the day doing.

Hearts, crystals and such like.

2009-02-17T13:34:00.000-08:00

I went to London this weekend, well it is Tuesday now, so I suppose I can't say 'this' can I. I went to London AT the weekend. I spent lots of time on my friends sofa eating biscuits but also went out to see some nice things. We managed to navigate our way through London by car(!?) to go to the Natural History museum. Last time I went I managed to miss the whole rocks and minerals section...but this time we found those gems!

I don't really like crystals so much when they are all polished and perfect, i prefer it when you can see their natural form, but of course they were all very beautifully cut, and it does show off their colour. Morganite is one of my favourites..its the pinkish one. I would love to own a big chunk like that....amazing. The spikey one below is watermelon tourmaline...i have never seen a bit that interesting...I bought a tiny tiny piece for my sister for Christmas and it was fairly pricey...i can't imagine how much a bit like that is worth. The colours are beautiful. I couldn't seem to see any Moldavite anywhere...but one day I would like to go to the museum in Prague..as they they have the biggest collection...as thats the only place its been found. ANYWAY.

I have been thinking again about doing a course in geology or something. Most of the crystal courses I have looked at either concentrate more on the metaphysical properties...or the more scientific stuff. I don't want to start anything heavy as it's just a hobby...but I would like to look at them from a more academic point of view. Hmmmm.
Anyway, here are some of mine! My morganite pendant...which I usually wear all the time until it begins to annoy me....(I threaded that weird moon thing on there because it catches the light and I got it somewhere special)

This is my amethyst sphere. It was the most expensive bit I bought while I worked in the crystal shop in Bristol. I loved it because it has all these golden inclusions in it...and one looks like a tiny heart...its seems to have some citrine in it...I would say its more ametrine than amethyst. Either way its a beaut!

I hope that lots of people got some love on Valentines day. I ate a big waffle with maple syrup and went to the aquarium, so I can't complain. I stupidly turned down lunch with someone who seemed interesting. But I did see this so its okay...

Here is some love from my bedroom to your room;

Whale and snow.

2009-02-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

I made this card for a whale fan; he is a stumpy humpback who ate too much cake, the whale of course, not the person.

With all this fire and snow I am sure there are a few people out there who are having a bit of a rubbish time of it. This song for them; *I am aware that it is not a proper video...but if you look at the shapes long enough you may find, like me, the magic eye effect happens and you see all sorts of interesting things*

Bundle up..

2009-02-03T10:42:00.000-08:00

I was determined to share the snow today so made the trek to Nathaniel's house...maybe a few miles away? It was lovely to see so many people walking along the roads. Lots of people seemed to be off work enjoying themselves..i was a bit sad to see all the cars creeping back out as it all started to melt in the afternoon sun. The snow wasn't the slush we usually get (when I say usually, i mean maybe once a year)...it was like icing sugar.

I need to buy new headphones because mine keep falling out of my ears...maybe its the cold..or maybe its my ears. I'm not sure, but I think if I buy big ones they may double up as ear muffs too. I listened to Bon Iver alot today. Perfect.....

I was told.

2009-02-02T11:43:00.000-08:00

.......Alessi's Ark.....The Horse.....
*I believe a Howling Bells video is randomly related on that page too...which is a song that I cannot seem to stop listening to*

Today it actually snowed! It was very exciting but unfortunately...I lack playmates here to properly enjoy it..everyone seems stranded in remote parts of Cornwall! I spent a lot of time watching. Snow is quiet. The drawings are quick things from this afternoon. My commission is all finished so I am illustrating some songs I have wanted to do for a while. I recommend listening to as many Alessi's ark songs as you can find...they are very beautiful. I luckily got to see her play with Peggy Sue just before I left Bristol, it was magic.

Heart on fire

2009-01-31T11:09:00.000-08:00

....oh take me some place decent
where we meet up with your friends
where the people are pleasant
where the music never ends
where the music never ends
chatcha chatcha chatchaa
chatcha chatcha chatcha
I can't say that you are pretty
that would make me a liar
but you turn my my legs to spaghetti
and set my heart on fire.....

I was driving home from work today and my silly ipod thing ran out of battery as it always does...then this song came onto the radio. I was really surprised..and it made me smile a lot...I drove the longer way back. It reminds me of sitting in Sophie's cosey room in Falmouth drinking chai tea with her and David. It gives me the shivers (the good shivers..not the spook kind)

I really wish I was on this roof in Japan;

(Jens Lekman...pocketful of money)

Jeliza-Rose

2009-01-23T05:46:00.001-08:00

I don't want this blog to turn into an endless stream of videos...but I am working very hard on actual proper (PAID!) illustration work at the moment..and need little breaks to watch inspirational things. I have had Terry Gilliam's 'Tideland' on in the background all morning. It isn't really the sort of film to just listen to though...

So this afternoon maybe I will be less distracted if I stick to music...and maybe just the odd short video? I like his glockenspiel skills....

Just one more dance to help me sleep...

2009-01-22T13:22:00.000-08:00

mixtape.

2009-01-19T15:32:00.000-08:00

24 hours of rain, tea, biscuits and music.
.....Found this delightful tune on a cd Nathaniel made for me ages ago....as well as lots of mysterious old theme tunes; ..(*THE LITTLEST HOBO!*)...
Poppy is my reference here. She has been particularly moody today and obviously needs to go out and play like me.

Twit.Twoo.

2009-01-19T09:01:00.000-08:00

This is a very stern owl. She is reminding you (and me) to think...I think.
(A very tiny logo on my mums organic shampoo bottle inspired this drawing)
I found my passport today after dreaming last night that I forgot it on my way to the airport..in my dream I was going to America, but I only remembered I was going 45 minutes before my flight, which considering how early you have to check in, wasn't going to happen anyway. Anyway I woke up thinking I had left it in Bristol somewhere..but I hadn't. So seeing it makes me want to fly away to a new sunny place.

...............Maybe if I go to Italy it will be like this??..............

No change there then.

2009-01-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

Had a clear out today..found a folder full of my special primary school drawings. Not sure which one was my guitar, and which was my shaker, but both look pretty good to me.

.........Prototypes.....Who's gonna sing?

Treasure.

2009-01-17T11:18:00.000-08:00

Its a stormy night. I am pretty happy just to be inside in the warmth with all my junk.

.........come inside..and have a nice cup of tea!..........

Lets dance little stranger....

2009-01-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

Music.....Dance with me....Nouvelle Vague

You always stop at the same part, when its very beautiful...

2009-01-13T09:02:00.000-08:00

I meant to mention my adoration of the film 'The Fall' a while ago. It's beautiful...amazing...exciting...touching...funny...magical....my new favourite.
I also think my new wish will now be to marry Lee Pace.

For Becki...

2009-01-05T07:46:00.001-08:00

.......Music.....Heartbeats....The Knife

OOPS.

2008-12-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

Well..I just accidentally managed to delete my blog. Which explains the blankness. I am very upset..I had grown very fond of it. But I shall build it up again in no time...while i mourn i will add some of the pictures it once contained...