A year since my last post!

It is nearly a year since I last posted anything so I thought I aught to pull my finger out and get something on here... I've been messing about trying to create some Artistamps. The trouble is, when I look at what other people are producing they make mine look shite! Still, I'll keep trying.. These are for a fictitious group of islands called the 'United Islands of Gonga'. Leave me a comment if you think that they are any good.... or not!

Eurovision Song

At least we didn't come last this year! Although I'm pleased that we didn't win.. I utterly detest the song that we put forward & I can't stand that type of singing (Every note being yodeled like a cat having its balls cut off). If we want to win then the writers should look at a few old episodes of 'Euro Trash' because that is the type of music that most of the rest of Europe seems to like.. They certainly dont want 'Power Ballads'!!!

Life laundry

We've been having a clear out of all of our accumulated junk and we are gradually giving it away. Rather than try to eBay it or sell it through the local paper, we are simply looking out for people who we think might get some use out of it. It is a good feeling when you feel able to let go of stuff that you have clung to for years. 'Freecycle' is a great place to start. Every big town has got one of these on the web.

Louis Prima

This man was (and still is in my books) a music and entertainment God....

Mr Potato Head

Ahhh the simple pleasures of life. An hour or two making funny faces with one of these games and a potato and then another half an hour using the potato as ammunition for your spud gun.. Brilliant!

Back to work

Back to work tomorrow after a week off with a dose of 'Man Flu'. I work with a miserable git who moans from morning till night and for whom nothing is ever right. He contradicts anything that you say or suggest and believes that he is right about everything. He holds forth in the staff room with his half-baked ideas and it is several weeks until he goes on holiday.. I don't think I can last that long before I murder him!!!

Facebook friends

I deleted my so-called friends from my Facebook account today as part of my attempt to change my life. I only ever hear from three friends even though I post comments to the others. My attitude is, that if they want to know what I'm up to, then they will have to email... or call! My only real and true friends aren't even on Facebook.

Artistamps 2

Second set clean off the printer. I've added a joke to these. If you know the clothing chain store then you'll get the gag.

Artistamps

I made my first sheet of Artistamps today. For a first attempt I think they've tured out ok. When I finally get to grips with photo shop I'll try to produce some vintage looking stamps. I've invented a fictitious group of tropical islands on which to base my stamps. It gives me the opportunity to build up a whole history of the islands and how they came to be united under one flag.

Shooting for the stars

If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's ok. But you've got to shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot. -Robert Townsend

My new car

I've just seen the car that I intend to buy when I win the National Lottery. A Mk 2 Jag (Drool)

American ghost towns

I've been looking at some stuff on old American ghost towns. Once thriving communities but now abandoned to the elements. There is a great place called 'Bodie' lots of pictures on the web and on Flickr. Luckily it is a protected site in a Californian National Park, kept in a state of arrested decay. It is amazing to see some of these places and how so much everyday stuff was just left behind. If that was in this country, most of these items would now be on eBay!

Dont deny your dreams

I've just been reading a young girls blog in which she talks about the places that she has traveled to and the places that she intends to visit. When I was 20 years old I had a Lambretta scooter as did a close friend. We both agreed that after we had served our time in the Army that we would use these scooters to travel around Europe and wherever else they would carry us. He got into trouble with the police and sold his scooter and not long afterwards I sold mine. He left the Army before me, we lost contact and I came back home to live with my parents. I often wonder how different (If at all) my life would have been if I had followed that dream. If you are reading this and you have a dream (Whatever it is) don't deny it... Go out and live it... Do all of your worrying later... At least you will have lived the dream.

Present blessings

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many: not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. - Dickens

Lonely Boy

Alan was on holiday the day that the Pied Piper had visited his village!

________________

I found this image at: http://www.londonlee.com/2007/04/goodbye-mama-goodbye-youth.html

Loving Heart

Of all earthly music, that which reaches farthest into heaven is the beating of a truly loving heart. -- Henry Ward Beecher

1950's Fabric Design

I love fabrics & design from the 1950's and early 60's. I found these images whilst trawling around the net. You can sometimes buy small samples of these on eBay but they get snapped up very quickly. I wish they would re-issue some of the best designs from this era. Anyway.. Enjoy.

Thought for the day

As we grow older and realise more clearly the limitations of human happiness, we come to see that the only real and abiding pleasure in life is to give pleasure to other people.
P G Woodhouse

Marc Bannerman

I love quirky art and this guy fits the bill for me. He paints surreal worlds.. or are they?

Japanese Gimp Suits

Ooh those crazy Japanese! Look at the couple bottom left. (Woman weeping) "I think you love your mask more than me Gerald!".... Bottom right.. (Man - Creepily) "Urrrr, come here sweetie, let me put my mask on your face. I promise I won't hurt you.... Much!"