sunny day

I'm doing a real update, about life and stuff! I decided I should use this blog more, not just for zine promotion and thoughts. Elderflower Tea is always on my mind, I think about it a lot and wonder what to include, write about, use for decoration, what the cover should be like, etc. I'm trying to take more time with the 3rd issue, instead of thinking 'I NEED TO PUT ANOTHER ZINE OUT PRONTO!' I want to consider it, and think about what people would enjoy reading/seeing. I'm trying to document my adventures more in my personal journal as these are little starting points for my zine writing.

Lately I have been looking at Amigurumi patterns on the internet. I can already crochet, and improving my skills is part of what I want to do this year. I always look at the beautiful Amigurumi creatures other people make and think 'I can't do that, my skills aren't good enough'. Last week I took the time to read patterns and look up tutorials, and decided I could try and if it didn't work out, then I should keep trying. My first attempt at an Amigurumi cat was actually very successful and I didn't get too stressed out over it. Amigurumi is actually really simple if you have the right pattern (beginners/easy) and are able to use basic stitches, work in a circle, increase and decrease.

This is the finished cat :) I gave it to James. It took me around 3 hours to complete. I'm now working on another one for a pen friend. This one will be turquoise with a fabric heart on the tummy and fabric in the ears. I can't wait to finish it. They are so fun and easy to make, and make really sweet gifts. I think all my friends will get one of these from me at some point this year!

On Saturday I DJ-ed for the first time ever at Atta Girl ! Claire gave me a quick tutorial after we finished setting up, and I played slower/chilled out songs for the first 30mins or so as people arrived. I played bands like Portishead, Bjork, PJ Harvey, Feist, Cat Power, Beach house. I surprised myself because I picked it up pretty quick and really enjoyed it. I would have liked to have done it longer but it got to a point where my mind kept going blank and I couldn't think of what to play next, watching the seconds count down on the deck as I franticly looked through all the cds. Claire was a star and took over from me. I think next time I will go armed with a list that I can choose from to avoid the mind-blankness. I'm really glad I did it and had such a great time. I can't wait until the next club night!

Picture Claire took of me 

Today was beautifully sunny again. James and I decided to take advantage of it and go to the park in town for a little picnic.

Picnic fun supplies: My rucksack, Doris Encyclopedia, Doodles colouring book, pencil crayons, James' book.

A flask of tea & my lunch bag filled with sandwiches, fruit and carrot cake. yum yum!

Sunshine kids! 

Being in the sun made me feel so much better. I love this time of year when the days are getting longer and brighter, and everyone is pulling out of their winter blues and feeling happy. James and I talked about having a little garden party/bbq in the summer this year. I can't wait. I might even make invitations! 

I got some unexpected money this week (woohoo!) so I decided to make an order from janetstore I got a lot of letter pads, stickers, envelopes and deco tape. They were all really cheap. Even though the shipping is pricey I think I paid about the same amount as I would if I ordered from the UK. I actually got more for my money too. I'll be sure to take pictures when it all comes. 

I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine. 

Wednesday afernoon

Finally doing something.

hohum

Hello!
I wanted to cycle into town today to get some zines printed for Marching Stars distro. It is raining hard, and I hate cycling in the rain. It's not so bad, but on a cold, windy day it is the last thing I want to do. Rain in my eyes with wind coming at me really freaks me out. It's like how it freaks me out to look up at the sky when it's snowing heavily. It looks like the sky is falling down.

So I told myself 'Okay, do some zine writing, be productive'.

It is 12.51pm and I'm still in my pj's...

I'm looking through tumblr, trying to find some inspiration for Elderflower Tea.

I've been reading my Doris Anthology on and off for weeks - Trying to savour it. I'm on #15 now, the Anti-depression guide. I'm finding it useful.

Invincible Summer Anthology 1 came at the weekend, I've been flicking through, trying not to read it. I want to wait until I have finished Doris.

I'm feeling an increasing need for adventure, a long lasting one. Day adventures are fun too, but I want more time to explore. I read about people travelling around on buses, visiting different cities, meeting people they write to, and I want to be one of those people doing that too.