Sasssquatch's Kawaii Wreath

I had a go at making Sasssquatch's Kawaii Christmas Wreath D.I.Y (whilst watching Dawn of the Dead) and here are the results:

It was really easy and fun so I recommend it however here are some extra tips:
- Don't play with the pipe cleaners whilst wearing something that easily catches - the ends are sharp!
- Instead of wrapping each pipe cleaner around separately attach them to each other to create one long pipe cleaner - you can cover the bumps where the pipe cleaners connect (see below) with pompoms.
- Big things (such as the reindeer head) require super sticky glue. I used PVA for the pompoms and a combination of PVA and spray-tak for the head and flower. Careful! Spray-tak is super sticky! (See below).
- If your bigger things have a flat base, no matter how sticky the glue, you'll need something to hold them in place on the curved wreath whilst it dries. I tied the reindeer head in place using a spare pipe cleaner. I also hung the wreath when it was drying (instead of letting it dry on something flat) so that the head would dry in the right position.

Edit: check out my second 'Little Cyan' wreath here!

Rail at Newark

I'm fantastically honoured to announce that the short NFTS graduation animation I wrote for Jack Tilley, 'Rail' is currently screening at Virgin Atlantic's new Newark Clubhouse - check it out if you're flying through!

You can read more about the clubhouse experience here.

Friday Feature - Foxes

This week's Friday Feature is Foxes, aka pop princess Louisa Rose Allen from London, United Kingdom. She's pop for grown ups with serious, often heavily electrified instrumentals and a diva-style voice (much larger than he small frame) which fits her flowing vocals perfectly. The result is something like the power of a Leona Lewis ballad meets the instrumentals and topics of a Marina and the Diamonds song.

Where will I have heard her before?

Foxes released her first song 'Youth' for free download last year with Neon Gold. Since then she has been working on building her reputation and her repertoire, releasing EP 'Warrior' in May though you'll probably know her from her latest single 'Echo' which has received radio play and has just been released to buy this month.

Featured Song: Echo

Where can I hear more?

Unfortunately 'Youth' is no longer free to download from Neon Gold's soundcloud however Foxes does have her own soundcloud for you to explore and where you can download for free 'White Coats' and 'Let Go For Tonight'. Both 'Warriors' and 'Echo' and easily available for download.

What is her website?

http://www.iamfoxes.com/

Next week: The King Left

Pictures from Paradise

The main personal project I've been working on this year is a script called 'Paradise' - a fantasy detective romantic comedy. My friend Gina is always telling me to write a graphic novel so here are some pictures I drew up of characters. I would love your views on the matter. Do you think I should have a go at drawing one of my scripts as a graphic story with the intention of getting it published? If I did try I'd need lots of encouragement not to give up...but then I'd try and share the process with you.

Anyway...some pictures (click on them for bigger versions):

 

Designs for main character Susan's outfits

Detective, spirit and love interest Everard Paradise

 

Everard's sweet lolita personal assistant Angelique

Fox spirit and cabaret singer Iris

Snake Twins

 

And here is a photo of the building that inspired the setting (The Grand on the Leas Cliff, Folkestone, Kent, England):



Bloglovin

I've finally worked out what Bloglovin is and have added a link to my blog blurb. Luckily someone already added me so I didn't mess up setting it up (thank you - feel free to say hello if you haven't).

Please do add me if you use Bloglovin.



If you don't know what Bloglovin is, it is a website that collects all the blogs you follow into one place (like the Blogger Reading List or Google Reader). If you are someone who does read a lot of blogs you might want to check out using a blog reader. Reading all your favourite blog posts in one place really does make things much easier and more fun!

Also I think it's hilarious that Blogger's spell check doesn't think 'blog' is a real word XD

The DJ Ricks Show

Recently an amazingly haunting song keeps popping up on my iTunes / iPod: From Every Sphere by Ed Harcourt.

Unbelievably, I first discovered From Every Sphere thanks to the radio that plays throughout the game Silent Hill: Downpour. To share it with those of you who have not heard it I have put together an 8 Tracks playlist featuring all the music played by DJ Ricks on WLMN FM. I think it's a truly haunting mix - give it a try!

Track list
1) Ed Harcourt - From Every Sphere
2) Daniel Licht - Heaven Wont Hold It Against You
3) The Coals - I Wanted A Lover, I Needed A Friend
4) James Vincent McMorrow - If I Had A Boat
5) Louis Armstrong - Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
6) Anna Ternheim - Off the Road
7) Highwaymen - Silver Stallion
8) Stephen Yerkey - Where Cash Is King
9) Kris Kristofferson - Why Me Lord
10) Doves - Willow’s Song (Bury Version)
11) Anna Ternheim - Words of Love
Bonus track) Ed Harcourt - Here Be Monsters


The DJ Ricks Show on WLMN FM from rachel.yelding on 8tracks Radio.  

I would not have been able to have compiled this playlist if it had not been for the fantastic information on Silent Hill Memories - check out this awesome Silent Hill website!

Friday Feature - Swim Deep

This week's Friday Feature comes via The White Moth and is Swim Deep, an indie grunge band from the West Midlands, United Kingdom. They are still really new and unbelievably grungy looking (and acting) but already it is obvious that they are the creators of anthems; strong rhythms, lilting instrumentals and crooning vocals that you can't help but sing along with, especially when they are lines like, "Don't just dream in your sleep, it's just lazy." 

 

Where will I have heard them before?

You either downloaded their single Honey or you are incredibly cool (aka much cooler than me) and go see all the latest bands when they tour your area.

Featured Song: Honey

Where can I hear more?

Check out their soundcloud page and then their two singles King City and Honey.

What is their website?

http://swim-deep.tumblr.com/

Next week: Foxes

If you would like to suggest a band / performer please let me know! I love finding new music and sharing it with you guys :-)