Christmas Break

The last semester has been mental and i cant believe that its Christmas Eve already. The year has flown in, the second half more so. The break is well needed by many and I cant wait to stop and relax....if that is at all possible. It was a great feeling to get everything handed in, Essay finished, presentation done and technical files completed and handed in. This semester has been a test on the old dyslexia and i have seen it has been on others who are dyslexic too. I am going to look into some learning strategies, different ways to retain information, when i find some i will of course share them. That will be my christmas present to you all...ha! I hope you all have a wonderful christmas. Much Love xx

The Dreaded Essay

Who hates writing essays?? Well I know that I do. The one that I have had to write for Crafts in Context has taken forever, it was the most difficult thing I had to write. Normally I can get into them but it was not happening with this one. Anyhow its done but I thought I would leave some essay tips not just for people with dyslexia but for anyone who struggles with the.
Prepare - I left mine to the last minute, I dont recommend anyone doing this. I thought I would be able to do it in a few days but it took a lot longer than that. So give yourself plenty of time.
Essay Plan - find a question that you will be interested in. Then write headings about what you would like to cover that relate to that question.
Reference - do this as you go along, it will make your life a whole lot easier
Bite Size Chunks - give yourself 2 hours at a time then go and do something else for half an hour, bit of house work or even a walk.
There are so many more you can do and for those who are Dyslexic giving yourself plenty of time is so important. You will be able to enjoy what you are reading rather than panicing that it needs to be in. It can be enjoyable as the essay is to do with a course you have chosen to do. So unlike how I dealt with it  ...relax and enjoy!!

If there are any more tips that people would like to add please do!!

Bird Art

My ceramic project is looking at the decline of wildlife in Britain and I have focused on the Lapwing as these are extremely vulnerable . They are one of the most beautiful birds around and it would be sad if we were to never see them again. Today a few of my classmates took me to a dead blackbird that was pretty much in tact...though at first it may of been a bit of a laugh I started to think how I could use it within my work. I brought it home to photograph and as I laid it out on a piece of white paper I felt sad and actually quite sick. His eye was a bit of a mess and there was a little blood around his nose and beak, it started to make me question if i really want to use him in my work. I love black birds, they are beautiful birds with a character I cant quite explain but they make me laugh. This poor bird lead on this piece of paper probably didnt die naturally so I wonder...do I bury it?? or do I cast it in clay to use in my final display to symbolise death??

Back to uni

I hope all you folks out there who are getting ready to go back to uni in a few weeks have had an ace summer!! Its been great to see on facebook many of your updates and having new experiences in different countries. I cant believe how quick the time has gone by. I wanted to do so much art but have barely touched on it, think its because there is so much I want to do and dont know where to start. Im in the process of knitting my bear a scarf...once he is finished I will pop a picture up on here and if anyone wants the instructions of how to make their own bear let me know. Well Im going to make the most of the next few weeks as Im in no rush to get back...lots to get on with at home. Will get the wee bear finished and a photo taken so everyone can see Mr B. I dont have to much crack at the mo so will leave it at that. I am determined to keep up on this more regularly with some interesting stuff! I forgot to say went for a spot of bird watching along the solway and saw some Golden Plovers, Snipes, Black Tailed Godwits, Sandlings and one of my fav birds Lapwings. There were more there as it was a high tide but my list may go on a bit so will stop there. You cant beat a spot of bird watching!!

New Project

I can not believe how quick the summer holidays are flying past. Though the weather in England has not been that great I have been enjoying pottering and getting things done around the house. I still have loads on my list I would like to achieve before I go back to university...wether they all get done is another matter. We have been given a summer project to work on called 'Boundaries, Borders and Connections'. Its a great title and the possibilites are endless, its a challenge to narrow down the ideas. I have been pushing my brain into thinking outside the box..pushing my own boundaries...to come up with some ideas. I have been thinking about my interests, things that are happening in todays society and the visible boundaries that we see everyday. Im not giving to much away at this stage but i will update as soon as my ideas are set in stone. Do you find that when you are an outsider looking into someone else's work that the ideas pour in much easier? Once involved it seems to be much harder...or is that just me?? Ha!!! Think i just need to run with my idea and if it works then great and if it doesn't then no one needs to see it...ha!! Well on that note Im going to get started.....fingers crossed!! And to all my class mates who are working on this...good luck, I look forward to seeing and hearing about your ideas! xx

The French Life

I cant believe that I have been travelling around France and Im back sat in front of my laptop updating my blog! The country was amazing and so diverse from Mont Blanc in The Alps to Chateaus in Tudor Towns. There was so much to see probably to much for the time that we were there. Yet it didn't blow me away in the way I thought it would, dont get me wrong I loved it and would happily return but there wasnt that pull that i was expecting to get. For a while I have fantasied about living there and I was expecting that draw from England but it did not happen. Im not sure if my fantasies were to unrealistic or if it was that gradual change in scenery from the North to the South. However there was one place that I think both me and Mr M liked and the was Josselin in Brittany, in fact I think Mr M liked Brittany the most. We stayed in a very nice family run Hotel, there were six rooms in total and we stayed in the family room at the top of the house and had a whole floor to ourselves. The lady of the house was more than lovely and really took care of the guests. In the morning for breakfast a spread of various breads, crepes, coffee and tea was laid out and either a fruit medley or home made natural yogurt would be brought out to us. We sat on a big table with the other guests which was wonderful and gave a really homely feel. The only thing was most of the guests were French who spoke no English so me and Mr M, mainly Mr M would try our best to speak with them with the very little French we knew. It was an interesting experience but I will most definitely be brushing up on my languages. I think we both felt a little rude and ignorant to be travelling in their country speaking very little of their language. But it was all a learning curve and a wonderful experience. Now im home I want to be really getting creative but I dont know where to start, lots of ideas but not sure which one to choose. Also there is always housework to do...thats always a bit of a distraction, i find myself constantly trying to get organised. Tomorrow though I will get into it, once I am back from town I will be putting my creative head on!

Family Visits, France and Life

The last couple of weeks have been mental but lovely. My family have been visiting and its been great to see them, to show them the lake district and show them a bit of what I do. Though I must admit i feel that my creativity has been zapped from me and its been nice to have a break from it. I think its important to have a bit of time out, time to refresh, get new inspirations. Im off to France for a month with my man, we will be travelling to the Alps and along the coast. A budget trip so we will be camping which will be ace and will be a great way to get some inspiration. Also the break from uni will help to let all what has been learnt sink in, its been a mental year and I have learnt so much and im looking forward to doing some of my own things with my new skills. Well peeps I wil be back soon with some of my work from the last year. I do hope that for those who have dyslexia or a mental illness realise that there are so many opportunities out there for them and finding a creative outlet will really help. Speak soon. Big Hugs x

How it feels to be dyslexic...

I have recently been on the British Dyslexia Association website and found some information on how it feels to be dyslexic. I will copy a few of the quotes and leave the web address link for you to look at yourself. There were certainly a few quotes that I instantly related too. If anyone relates to this quotes I suggest getting it checked out and if you are a UOC student, the support that is available there really is great!!!

 The web address is www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

Some of the quotes:

‘I see things from a different perspective.’

‘I can come up with solutions no one else has thought of and I think fast on my feet.’

‘When I am reading, occasionally a passage will get all jumbled up, but when it happens I have to read and re-read the passage over again.

‘I know what I want to say, but I can never find the right words.’

‘In formal situations, although I know what I want to say, I struggle, lose focus and then my mind goes blank and I panic.'

‘I have the right ideas, but I can’t get them down on paper.’

‘It’s like my computer crashing with too much information!’

‘Sometimes when I am being told what to do, the words I hear get all jumbled up in my mind and I just can’t take in what is being said to me.’

‘In general conversation with family, friends and colleagues they usually accept that I tend to ramble, forget and repeat,…. because that’s part of me’.

What to do next.....

It feels very strange not having any work to do. Essay finished and handed in which i quite enjoyed in the end. I focused on the arts and crafts movement, and learnt so much. I feel that my writing skills are improving too which is a bonus. I do have a poster to finish but that wont take to long i hope, i find photoshop to be a little confusing, so much to remember and i dont even understand my own notes. I am going to have a new approach to this blog as i want it to focus more on dyslexia and mental illness. Trying to do all on one blog may not be working as well as i liked so  I am thinking of setting up another which has more to do with my work. Well...i shall consider the new approach and get back to you. x

Stuck inside whilst its hot outside!

Why is it that when its hot outside you either end up being stuck in an office or working on an essay!! Well today its essay day as I no longer work in an office!!  The sun is pouring through my studio window  and the swallows are chirping away as they have been for the last few days. The life of a bird...able to fly free, do as he pleases, play kiss chase with the female birds. I wonder if the female birds like it?? Lots of male birds chasing her around. Well its Good Friday and I wish you all a Happy Easter!!! x

Two swallows chilling after a game of kiss chase.

Poignant Art

http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2010/04/30/human-bones-used-to-make-art/

another link for some very poignant art.

Cumbia Art

A little link to some interesting bag stuff.

http://www.faridaspassions.com/categories/Accessories/CUMBIART-Artesania-Colombiana-Mochila-Bag/

Presentation Time

Not long to go now....think im sorted for what to say!! Could really do with some tips on how to remain calm and keep the flutters at bay. So if anyone has any tips please let me know??? I can then forward them on to any other nervous student. We break up for easter in a couple of days too, which means an easy to do!! Hey...only 2500 words write! After that its a trip south to see the family, looking forward to having hugs from me mum and seeing rest of folk. Im starting to come to terms more with my Dyslexia and understanding how it effects me. Taking in information can be so hard at times that the little man in my brain becomes really tired. I need to make a visit to see my advisor, I think I might be trying to do it alone when there is the support there. I suppose thats just what Im used to. Well i think its time to chill for the evening a nice bath and an early night me thinks. 

Sunshine bliss meets presentation squits!!

What a fantastic weekend we have had...lets hope there will be more of these sunny days! You cant beat a bit of sunshine to lift spirits and morel. Its wind down time for us students and i think we are all due a well deserved break. We have a presentation to do and an essay to write...2500 words mind but its the presentation that is always a bit nerve wrecking. Managed to get some reading done on my chosen artist Christopher Dresser and made a start on the powerpoint. Public speaking isn't for us all and i totally admire those who are able to just get up there and do it. There were a group that did theres last friday and the applied arts group is this friday. It will be great to hear other peoples views on their chosen artist but im sure a few of us will be nervous. Im hoping that my working memory will step up the pace a bit for the day and remembers the vital points. I want o wish all folk on the course good luck for friday...Im sure you will ace it!! Positive affirmations!!! A little something by my chosen artist...who was awesome!! First one is a textile print he designed and the second is a kettle he designed. Enjoy!!

Tord Boontje

I have been researching some print artists and came across Tord Boontje. I appreciate he may not be everyones cup of tea but i think he is AMAZING!!! Check out some of his work.

He has worked in many area but his installations are just wonderful. 

Above: Tord Boontje's Swarovski installation titled, "Winter Wonderland"

Being Dyslexic

I just wanted to share this site with anyone who thinks they maybe dyslexic or are dyslexic. Its got lots of information on the site and a forum so you can read and share experiences. Check it out!!!

http://www.beingdyslexic.co.uk/

The dreaded Cold-Sore

I managed to get all done for my fibre arts and visual studies with the evaluations taking forever. I cant believe how long it is taking me to write an evaluation. For some people it can take them an hour or two but its taking me six!! I had to really think if I could handle doing this course or not. The practical stuff is fine but the academic written work is becoming a struggle, I even thought my spelling was getting worse. Not sure if thats the case or if its to do with having to write more. It may not seem that bad when I write this but I have a spelling checker on and re-read it a couple of times. Luckily the people at LISS at the uni are fab, by having a chat with them made me realise that im not alone. I was putting far to much pressure on it cos I wanted to achieve but now im taking that pressure away! This last week has been tough too (im gonna get all this shit out first and then will get onto the nice bit), a massive cold-sore on my chin, totally run down, no energy, dealing with personal stuff and generally feeling crap about myself! All in a weeks work! BUT today has been a better day...feeling a bit happier in myself and have the company of my man (who cant leave his call of duty alone) and my cold-sore! I have also been researching some print artists and came across this image (see below) which are covers of vogue. I totally wish that I was one of those girls wrapped in beautiful printed fabrics!! 

Vogue Italia Designs

Dyslexia Websites

I wanted to put some information on my blog with regards to dyslexia so I started by looking at some websites to get some hard facts. I was a little put off as some of the websites were either really difficult to navigate around, the words were tiny and ran off the page or they were written against a dodgy background. There are a lot more people who's dyslexia is a lot worse that mine or different. I understand that for some people reading is such a difficult task which is why I was so surprised at these websites. Surely they should be a lot more 'dyslexia user friendly'? I did find one which has a lot of information and at the top of the page there are options to choose from so you can have the text read allowed or design the page to what font size, font type, type colour and background colour. Much better!! You can also complete a test to see if you are dyslexic which is great way to see by keeping things discreet. Then if it the outcome is that you are, it will be up to you to decide whats the best next step. im going to pop the web address on here so you will be able to go directly to it. you may need to copy and paste it into the web bar. I hope this is of use and I will continue my research for anything else thats interesting and please share if you find anything interesting too!! xx

http://www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk/

A Fav Pot of Mine

The picture doesn't do it much justice but this is one of my favourite pots thrown on the wheel last year in ceramics. To decorate it I painted slip onto some wallpaper and patted the wallpaper around the pot to create this design. I then put a transparent glaze on and it lifted it! You can use the wallpaper technique on anything for example I use it sometimes to tone paper with. Just pick up some scrap bits or visit a charity shop.

Has it been that long

I have just realised how long it has been since I have been on here!! Time is going by so quickly and i have no idea where the days go. How many of us say that there is not enough hours in the day to do what we want or ned to do? I know that I certainly do! At the moment I am trying to juggle my homework and it is so difficult...from talking to a few fellow students they feel the same too. Where do you start? What do you do first? And the subjects you feel less passionate about go to the back of the list. SO, this evening I have written up a weekly planner for the next four weeks to get myself in order. Creatively...I NEED TO LOOSEN UP!! When putting my research into a book I noticed that the layout was almost like how I would of presented at work...formal and boring! So the mission is to loosen up!!! I am an artist (in training maybe)  but that is where I am heading. I like organic shapes, movement, freeness, obscure, random, something out of the ordinary, raw, something that makes your head turn and go "what the ..... is that?" I have had to do some designs for Fibre Arts and they are so rigid all I want to do is bin them. I won't but I want to do something different to the designs. Drawing them is so hard...to put whats in your mind onto paper is such a challenge. I have the ideas but transporting them onto paper doesn't want to happen. Well enough of my rambling for now. I will put up some pictures of my work and will be happy for feedback, constructive feedback would be ace! Night folks!

So who believes in new years resolutions? I believe that new resolutions can be made at any time BUT I also believe this is a good time to have a reflect and get the ball rolling! One of mine is going to be to read more books. By that I mean read about artists, art movements, how to do books and novel books. I have a bookcase full of them but due to my dyslexia im scared to read them. This may sound silly because I love books and have many of them, i'll flick through the pages and look at the pretty pictures, then it will go up on the book shelf and there it stays. Not anymore! Before I finished for christmas break I went to see the lady at the LISS centre at uni and she helped me to draw out the information I needed. By working out what i needed from the book, scanning the pictures (studying art, this is always useful), checking the index to see what contents is in the book, going to the relevant chapters and scanning for words that are relevant, I successfully got a book that I needed. And it was written in a language I could understand. If a book is to difficult to read its worth seeing if there is another that is easier to understand. Its worth only taking a couple of books out at a time, I would take out loads and they would just sit in a pile untouched until they needed to go back. I hope this helps anyone who struggles with libraries and reading. Well im off to cook a belated christmas dinner as my mum is up to stay for a few days and we are having a christmas day together.  Happy New Year to you all!!