New Year Wish

When I first saw this video on the OBOD site....It brought tears to my eyes I think it's poignant, moving and beautiful! If I could have any wish for my blog readers for the coming year....it would be this....

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW

Eat Well, Sleep Deeply,

for tomorrow comes....

And it's all yours!

And above all else

watch with

glittering eyes

the whole world

around you,

because

the greatest

secrets

are always hidden

in the most

unlikely places

Those who don't

believe in

magic

will never find it.

Amusing Myself

It's been one of those days...you know the ones...where it's too cold and too wet to do anything but get to grips with the housework that's long forgotten and keep yourself amused.
Tony took me through to Darlington last night where we joined others in a small drumming circle....and we really 'rocked'. There was a poster on the door from a band wanting a drummer...I don't think that Djembes were exactly what they were after, but think they could have done far worse! lol.

Today, I've played The Dolmen and one song in particular never ceases to amuse me and bring a smile to my face. I think I have to do this as my next piece of calligraphy...here are the lyrics...

DARKSKIES by The Dolmen

Dark skies call my name
Not as a stranger but as a friend
Dark skies call and wait
No sign of impatience butNo time to waste

Dark skies rain upon my face
As we dance within the stones
A moor land wind gathers like a ghost
To an audience of mystic fairy folk

Rich green moss blankets the sacred ground
Cushions made of nature beneath our hands
A passing rook winks a knowing eye
As we listen to the world and all its cries.

Dark sky hold us tight
Wrapped all around the woven silk of night
As we journey were guided by the song
Mystic fairy folk help us sing along

Dark skies rain upon my face
As we dance within the stones
A moor land wind gathers like a ghost
To an audience of mystic fairy folk

If you want to hear the lyrics sung, click HERE
and listen to the YouTube video,
the song is about 1/3 of the way through.
The song is from the Album Dolmen Folk
available from here.
I think we've seen them twice this year at the Mercian Gathering and again at Witchfest. If you like Folk Rock and want to really feel your age with this lively band, please go and see them!

Creative Bookbinding

The following post is for anyone and everyone interested in making their own books but is at a loss tho where to start... in particular Alison from Woolgathering While I Sew .formally known as Foxgloves In The Breeze. (Hi Alison!)

I’ve lost count of the number of books I have, both calligraphy and Creative bookbinding. This book: Cover to Cover Creative Techniques for Making Beautiful Books, Journals and Albums, was one of the first ‘Creative’ Bookbinding books I ever bought and it’s been well used over the years.
Shereen did write another book,
The Art and Craft of Handmade Books
But there were many mistakes in it and she was so furious with the publishers that she wrote a huge amount of corrections on her web page. She was taking issue with the publishers, but sadly died from Cancer in September 2003 before the matter was resolved.

Another good book is Creating Handmade Books by Alisa Golden and she also wrote Unique Handmade Books.

All 3 books are good for either beginner or improver and focus on the more Creative and contemporary side of bookbinding rather than traditional.

Still doing it to death....

Well, not run out of ideas yet...still doing it to death! lol.

How comforting!

I managed to catch my mum on Instant Messenger last night and was telling her about this guy blog (The blog being 15 minute lunch) and how funny it was. She replied ‘Is it anyone we know?’. Well, I don’t know him and I think he comes from the States I replied. Now I must tell you at this point my mum has only recently got herself a computer and is practically self taught. She was a red head in her coloured hair stage, so you can imagine there has been much frustration at wanting to run before she walks when learning new things…AHEM. So although she knows I have ablog, I doubt very much that she reads it too often and I’m sure her eldest daughters life is too mundane really to be of any interest. Anyway, I really thought that she would laugh at this blog and especially the entry Strap in, shut up and hold on. We're going back. …. But she didn’t….she gently reminded me that this was the year I left school and home so I must have remembered clothes like that…..Errrrm… yes probably remembered them but didn’t ACTUALLY wear them….well I don’t think….OK OK I admit to wanting one of those tartan unisex shirts, but it’s only because I was into the Bay City Rollers….GULP! Did I really say that? And I’m sorry mum but I NEVER saw dad wearing a peppermint green trouser suit or and orange jump suit come to that… and if we want to talk about embarrassing clothes and the wearing of…. Didn’t you have a ‘shell suit’? I NEVER had one of those. Mind you, Mrs. eternal hippy here has never been the height of fashion so I expect that explains it. Lol.

and for anyone who doesn't know what a 'Shell Suit' looks like...Are you ready for this...it was neither made of shells, nor was it smart enough to wear as a suit. The rustled when you walked and the white ones were see through! They so and so's for static electricity and highly flamible! Don't all rush at once!

What a laugh!

Last week I made the executive decision to treat myself to a self inflating camping mat, while they were on special offer. Over the last year I’ve increasingly suffered with bad hips when sleeping on a conventional air bed. There’s also the added pain in the neck of pumping the darn things up and having to lug around the large pump.
I wasn’t expecting delivery so soon but the delivery company tried to deliver on Friday while I was at work. The result of this is that today I’ve had to take the day off as failure to deliver a second time would have resulted in it been returned to sender.
Well, it’s finally arrived and is inflating as we speak.
Because of this I’ve had time to catch up on a few blogs and look over a few more…..because of this I just couldn’t help sharing this with you 15 minute Lunch ….what a laugh. Makes me wonder what I’ve got lurking in my attic!

Also on the same blog is Advice for Batman, avoid camping with catwoman! Also worth a read!

Love and bright blessings,

The Purple Pixie...STILL LAUGHING!

Laying on my back....screaming and kicking!

Please note: This posting is in no way directed at anyone who is fascinated or indeed likes the wonders of modern science and technology…. It’s just a rant for one person who isn’t and doesn’t want to play the game!

Is it me?
Am I going mad?
(Some would say I already am….in the nicest way I’m sure! Lol)
Whats the world coming to?
Are we part of some great conspiracy?
Do we have any ‘free will’?
Is there no escape?

What with iPods, iTunes, iPhones, You-Tubes, faster downloads, Didgital, Wireless, cordless……faster, bigger, stronger, more memory, And a whole website dedicated to them! , This on Amazon! ARRRGGGHHH! The faster things go, the more I want to run away to the hills and get back to the simple life!
I get scared when I think of the speed that technology is advancing and propelling itself at great speed. The further advanced we get the more distant getting back to our ‘old ways’ of life becomes. I live in fear of the waste of human resources, of over taxing the planet we live on, of wars and global warming….the technology of the future seems to be at the opposite ends of the scale to caring about our planet for future generations. Our local council is hell bent on re-cycling, but I don’t think for one minute they are doing it for the planet. The literature talks about waste and energy saving and dresses it up with environmental issues to make us feel good that we are doing something to help….then refuses to recycle cardboard, even though we can take it to the tip ourselves which is a car journey away…hmmmm….fuel? Carbon Emissions, footprints? So they will collect the waste that = money, and they will get paid for that waste, but bet your bottom dollar that they will put the council tax up next year to pay for the collecting. And those who REALLY care will have to use their cars anyway to visit the recycle station, so may as well recycle the whole lot in one journey!
The councils here in the UK are committed to building an enormous amount of housing over the next 20 years. We have an acute housing shortage in the UK, but building more will not help, as prices are out of the reach of most young couples today. They are looking at prefabricated housing, something that was common in the 1940’s as a cure for the housing shortage. So by going forward it seems we may be going backward!

I really wonder sometimes where this will all end.
It seems the more gadgets and new technology comes on to the market, the less time we have to do the more ‘real’ things in life….like taking a walk in nature, appreciating the beauty that surrounds us on a daily basis, taking time with our children to teach them about the things in life that are free…..not only free in monetary terms, but free-ing in spirit.
I feel that whether we like it or not, we are not free spirits, but are forced to conform to the trappings of modern gadgetry and technology. It wasn’t so long ago that CD’s were invented, and if you still wanted to listen to your favourite music, like it or not, you have been forced to buy a CD player, because vinyl records became obsolete. Now we are forced to but Digital TV’s because all TV programmes are going to be transmitted this way and the big switchover is imminent. Before long, we will all have to have iPods or iPhones as the only music you will be able to get your hands on will be downloaded.
Arrrggghhh…..
In a nut shell technology is here to stay. We are part of a system and we can’t get out of it! Anyone running to the hills with me? My bell tents big enough for 8! Pick up your drums and lets all ruuunnnn awwwwaaayyyyy!!!!

One thing is for sure……
The best things in life are free!
And NO-ONE can take that away!

Your thoughts please in the way of a comment.

and one last thing....if you've read this far you may like to take a look at this site

Love, light and bright blessings,
The Purple Pixie

Think of an idea....and DO IT TO DEATH!

How easy is it to be truly original?

Am I an artist or craftsperson?

Is it possible for the common or garden wo/man to actually make money from Art?

Is it only me that thinks that they are either a) waiting to be discovered before the big breakthrough or b) waiting to be discovered as a fraud?

Am I just amusing myself with my artwork in some self indulgent fantasy?

The contents of the books below are all identical. The only difference is the cover. These are a commission to be given to members of a family to celebrate the life of

Alan Jeffrey Thomas Badby, who sadly died aged 50.

These are some of the questions I ask myself on a regular basis. It’s my belief that each and every one of us is creative, on a greater or lesser scale perhaps, but we all have it in us to BE CREATIVE!
Many of us believe we are not., and this can come from way, way back in our childhoods. No young child is asked to draw a picture of their summer holidays, then recoils in horror saying ‘But miss…I CAN’T draw!’
So those who think they can’t have to look deep into their past to find the blockage. Regarding creativity….Is not cooking a meal creative? Or growing things in the garden, taking a walk in nature and absorbing the landscape can be a creative experience if you just let it.
I was persuaded to drop out of art at 14 as I would never amount to anything and didn’t have a ‘natural’ talent for it. Even my mums suggestion that I could perhaps go into graphic Design was poo poo’d by the art teacher. This art teacher I held in high regard, I remember many lunchtimes going and watching him in the Art Room lettering the names on helmets for the lads in my year….and a fantastic sign writer he was too! If only he had taught lettering and calligraphy as part of the school curriculum I possibly wouldn’t have had to wait another 12 years before starting and taking it up as a serious passion.
It is a passion that has grown and taken me down many paths. Interesting quotations and a potential life threatening illness and resulting depression led me to see my spiritual path. The quotations I found most interesting were followed up and research into the people who wrote them and why they ‘spoke’ to me. Of these Rumi, Buddha, Tagore, Jung, Native American, Sir Winston Churchill to name just a few. Inspiring writers of books such as Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway, Living Magically, Stepping Into The Magic….oh I could go on forever! This and the inspiration from all the Self Esteem and Positive Thinking Books as well as the many philosophers both from the past and modern day as well as the many calligraphy tutors who without their help, guidance and inspirations have led me to where I am today.
I don’t class myself as original, nor do I class myself as talented, I just do what I love and love what I do. Among the many inspirational tutors I had was one lady in particular. Her name is Celia Kilner, she doesn’t class herself as a calligrapher at all, in fact when I mused over her work one day and asked her where she got all her ideas from she replied ‘My darling, I’m no calligrapher, nor can I come up with 100’s of ideas….I just find one that works and ‘do it to death!’ Hmmmm these were probably some of the best words I ever heard and they have stuck with me over a long period of time. There’s no need to come up with something different and totally unique every time…..just find something that works, and DO IT TO DEATH!

Yule Cards for 2007

another example of thinking of an idea and doing it to death!

I really have a problem doing repetitive things.

To work in a factory on a production line would make me loose the will to live. I take my hat off to ANYONE who manages to do this without complaining....You're worth your weight in gold.

I had the idea of the cards with scanned calligraphy to the top and the bottom half had printed transtrace on it. Then the only thing I really had to think about was how to make them different.

What Planet Are You From?

I just HAD to take this test.... and this is what I got...

***You Are From Jupiter***
You are exuberantly curious - and you love to explore newness.Enthusiastic and optimistic, you get a kick out of stimulating intellectual discussions.Foreign cultures and languages fascinate you. You love the outdoors, animals, and freedom.Chances are you tend to exaggerate, so try to keep a lid on that.If you do, you'll continue to be known for your confidence, generosity, and sense of justice.

Hmmmmm will have to think about this one!

What Planet Are You From?http://www.blogthings.com/whatplanetareyoufromquiz/

Back....and still alive!

Couldn't resist adding this picture to my blog,

which I found while looking for cat photos

and in the process found this fantastic blog

for cat lovers everywhere

Juat a quick helloooooo to anyone that reads my blog on a regular basis to say, Hi and NO the Witches didn't eat me!

Damh The Bard loved his piece of work and I'm hoping he'll put something on his blog which 'could' lead to some work.


We had a great time in London, but the big bad capital city is not my cup of tea generally. Too much concrete and high rise buildings. I was surprised however at the lack of people milling round at night time....I've seen Northallerton busier.


Work wise I've been busy getting a new website together and finally finishing thise portfolios to go into shops. So I've not been idle....just haven't come up for air!




It's been amazingly warm today and sunny too! So I took the opportunity to cut the grass while I took a welcome break from my Website Design.


All being well, that will be that last cut for a few months. I must admit there aren't many things that I am not keen on having a go at....but cutting the grass and running over that electric cable is something I dread everytime! I've only done it once but never forgotten the experience.

Albert Einstein Quote

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift,

and the rational mind is a faithful servant.

We have created a society

which honors the servant

and has forgotten the gift.

Albert Einstein

The greatest gift we can give future generations

The greatest gift we can give future generations

is air that's clean to breathe,

water that's safe to drink,

and a living environment

that celebrates the wonders of Nature.

In all things of Nature,

there is something truly marvelous.

Please be gentle with the earth,

it's the only one we have!

There's Always a Rainbow

Dreams are renewable.

No matter what our age or condition,

there are still untapped possibilities within us

and new beauty waiting to be born.

Dale E. Turner

As Winter draws closer, and the night and mornings grow colder and more crisp, the warm days of Summer are slowly becoming faded in my memory. Winter herals a time of hibernation and as the clocks go back next weekend the day draws to a close even more abruptly.

To me Winter is a time of slowing down, a time of reflection over the last year....seeing where I've been, how far I've come and what my plans are for the coming year.

I use to hate Winter and suffered badly from Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D). Now I've come to appreciate it....there's something extra special about coming home from a long day at work, closing the curtains, putting the fire on and chilling out with a good book all cozy, safe and warm.

It's all a matter of shifting your focus and seeing the benefits of what we perceive as a negative situation.

Despite it being really cold and frosty this morning, the sun is shining and the sky is clear.... Hmmmm I feel a song something on....

Oh what a beautiful morning,

Oh what a beautiful day,

I've got the strangest feeling,

Everything's coming my way

If there's a situation that hasn't turned out as you wanted it to, or something that you feel strongly negative about

try your best to see the positive side of it....

there's always something good to focus on, however small.

It's Autumn....but what's this?!

Well after some doubt...it's finally here....Autumn in all it's glory! As artists we get our inspiration from all over the place, but nothing is so special as the colours in natures pallett. From the golden yellows and warm oranges, to the firey reds and burnt umbers.

The Hazel leaves have turned from purple to brown and are finally laying a carpet on the ground.
Whenever you need to be inspired for colour, go out walking in nature, for you are sure to find something that catches your eye....BUT WAIT....WHAT'S THIS?

Is this some kind of Natures Folly? Strawberry flowers in the middle of October?

And on closer inspection.....these.....

STRAWBERRY'S!

Ain't life strange?

I trust that Mother Nature

knows what she is doing.

Courage and Endurance

It never ceases to amaze me at the sheer courage and endurance that some people will go to in order to give to and help others. This morning I recieved the following email from a guy who organises The Didge Camp at Lime Tree Farm.......

Hi, sorry to push this on you,

Just thought you might be interested in following or wanting to support one of my brothers mates who is rowing the Atlantic and raising money for diabetes UK? If you are able to offer sponsorship they've still got lots of space on the boat for your name.

http://www.2menpulling.co.uk/501.html

If you aren't/don't then sorry for bothering you.

Kevin

I followed the link and this is what I found...

athis is taken directly from their website... and I make no appologies for stealing the words.....

Why this charity?
As an injecting diabetic, this is a charity close to Neil's heart. We're not aware of any diabetic who has undertaken an endurance event of this size before and the impact of diabetes is unknown. Please support our main charity by clicking the link SPONSOR US NOW It's worth noting that every penny sponsored goes straight to the charity - including gift aid too if you're a UK tax payer. Thank you for your support.

Please, if you can, give genourously....if not then every little helps.... however small.

My Mother-in-law, her son and her parents were all diabetic and as a genetic thing my son is also at risk, I also have a friend who little girl was diagnosed at only 18 months old and have had quite a few friends that have this condition over the years, so this charity is close to my heart.
I'm sure everyone reading this wishes them well and will be lighting candles for their safe return.

Love, light and bright blessings,
Sue xxx

Bookbinding Website

Hi all,
I've jsut found this website belonging to a fellow Calligrapher from way, way back and want to share the link with you all
Go to Cheryl Moots site by clicking the link here
In particular look at her Gallery.... bet it gets your creative juices flowing!

and this site is a fantastic source of links!

Even the most daring and accomplished people

Even the most daring and accomplished people

have undergone tremendous difficulty.

In fact, the more successful they became,

the more they attributed their success

to the lessons learned

during their most difficult times.

Adversity is our teacher.

When we view adversity

as a guide towards greater inner growth,

we will then learn to accept

the wisdom our soul

came into this life to learn.

Barbara Rose

Peace - Burma - A Global Road

Dear friends, Burma's generals have brought their brutal iron handdown on peaceful monks and protesters -- but inresponse, a massive global outcry is gathering pace.The roar of global public opinion is being heard inhundreds of protests outside Chinese and Burmeseembassies, people round the world wearing the monks'color red, and on the internet-- where our petitionhas exploded to over 200,000 signers in just 72 hours. People power can win this. Burma's powerful sponsorChina can halt the crackdown, if it believes that itsinternational reputation and the 2008 Olympics inBeijing depend on it. To convince the Chinesegovernment and other key countries, Avaaz is launchinga major global and Asian ad campaign on Wednesday,including full page ads in the Financial Times andother newspapers, that will deliver our message andthe number of signers. We need 1 million voices to bethe global roar that will get China's attention. Ifevery one of us forwards this email to just 20friends, we'll reach our target in the next 72 hours.Please sign the petition at the link below -if youhaven't already- and forward this email to everyoneyou care about: http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/t.php The pressure is working - already, there are signs ofsplits in the Burmese Army, as some soldiers refuse toattack their own people. The brutal top General, ThanShwe, has reportedly moved his family out of thecountry – he must fear his rule may crumble. The Burmese people are showing incredible courage inthe face of horror. We're broadcasting updates on oureffort over the radio into Burma itself – tellingthe people that growing numbers of us stand with them.Let's do everything we can to help them – we havehours, not days, to do it. Please sign the petitionand forward this email to at least 20 friends rightnow. Scroll down our petition page for details oftimes and events to join in the massive wave ofdemonstrations happening around the world at Burmeseand Chinese embassies. With hope and determination, Ricken, Paul, Pascal, Graziela, Galit, Ben, Milena andthe whole Avaaz Team

Latest Commission - A Royal appointment

What a busy week it's been. I was asked to do a piece of work for Action for Blind People's 150th Birthday to be presented to HRH Princess Alexandra. (Please read her website as she is a wonderful and amazing person). Of course I accepted. Action for Blind People have been the most helpful and supportive charity that I have ever had the pleassure to deal with.
I am in constant contact with their Self Employment Advisor (Hi Jon) and without him I know I would never have had the courage to set up and continue being self employed.
Their logo is the most wonderful Fuchia Pink and the ribbon and the writing reflect this.
As the creator and as it co-incides with my birthday I was asked if I would like to go to London and present it myself to HRH. Sadly, but putting business before pleasure I have had to turn them down as I am enrolled on my Wed Site Design course on Wednesday nights and as it will be only my second week I don't want to miss it.
Below is a detailed shot of the piece.

Merlin Am I

Well I've done it...the Dahm the Bard piece is finished....and I'm really over the moon with it. Above is the full piece and below is the detail. Don't forget to click on the photos to enlarge.