Carry on...

I've caught a bit of a cold from my little nieces. They are so lovely and sweet but both unwell with chest and ear infections.

On the creative front I've come to a bit of a stand still. I'm trying not to do what I always do and give up, thinking everything I've done is rubbish and useless, but it's hard!

I met up with Cristina today. Its always a pleasure to see C! she really inspires me and makes me feel that bit more optomistic than I felt before I'd seen her.

I just need to keep strong, carry on... and get rid of this cold!

Emotions...

The last couple of days have been quite emotional for various reasons. I've been thinking back over this and the previous year, a bit of a walk along memory lane really.

On the creative front I'm not giving up, and taking baby steps but none the less steps to get out the art work that is locked inside of me and kicking to get out in some form or another! One way that I relieve some of this is by singing. I don't yet, have the courage or inclination to let anyone hear me unless on the rare occassion I get to do a bit of karaoke. But I'm working on building my confidence in this area as I love to sing and enjoy how it makes me feel.

I have this wooden rubber stamp set which has various words, mostly in french relating to posting letters and parcels. At the moment I've been stamping onto air mail envelopes and postage tags that I have distressed by crushing and creasing them to create an old and used look to them. I love the whole nostalgic element of it all.
At a time when everyone is sending e-mails and text messages I love the old fashioned notion of this form of communication and the whole aesthetics of it all. You can't touch, hold or smell! an e-mail or text message, to me there is a lack of real emotion and connection to it all, unlike a handwritten letter which can contain so much more emotion and feeling.

Memory, nostalgia, touch and texture have always been strong and important factors in my work, they are like the DNA of it!

A couple of quotes:

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying". Michael Jordan

"victory belongs to the most persevering." Napoleon Bonaparte

Two weeks notice!

Again another year is almost over, how time seems to fly by. I hate looking back and thinking of time wasted and missed opportunities.

I have two weeks of time to myself! A friend said to me when I told him: 'two weeks away from this place is a beautiful thing'. It kind of stuck in my head.

I really need to tap back into my creative side, I know its still there because I have this restless energy, gnawing and nagging away at me to get it together and do something, anything but nothing.

I met a lovely woman last week who really gave me food for thought and was so inspiring!
So now I'm thinking that anything is better than nothing, a start is something and time waits for no man, or woman in my case!

A few quotes that I found this morning:

" The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it." W.M. Lewis

" We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough." Helen Keller

" The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for." Allan K. Chalmers

Here's to new beginnings!

Just a slightly early happy new year's wish to everyone!! I hope 2009 is a happy, successful and enjoyable year to you all! x

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I hope you are all having a wonderful time on this special day!

But lets try and remember the true meaning of christmas and spare a thought for the less fortunate out there who are not having such a great time. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone especially those experiencing hardships .x.

California Dreaming...

It's been a while since I've been back from my holiday and I've settled back pretty quickly into the hustle and bustle of london life, much to my surprise! The US was great and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go there. I'm hoping the next time I'll be visiting the big apple and doing some serious shopping, but considering the rising strength of the dollar and the pound rapidly losing its value maybe not so much spending and a bit more sight seeing. But either way I cant wait!

Before I forget, Las Vegas was great! We did a tiny bit of gambling, a lot of drinking and hardly any sleeping! It was such a laugh.

Disney Land was so much fun!! I really did not expect to enjoy myself so much! Some of the rides were a massive adrenalin rush and others had me laughing like a kid, it was all great.

Stay posted for the photos!

Leaving the U.S.A!

I can't believe my holiday to the U.S is almost over! I've had thirteen days of relaxation and fun! My suitcase is packed and we're almost ready to leave for LAX airport. I'm really not ready for cold, dark and dreary England but I'm sure I'll get used to it again in no time, it's the norm for us Brits unfortunatley! Well I'd better go as It would be such a shame if I missed my flight! I'll be back with all the info on Las Vegas and Disney Land and hopefully lots of photos! .x.

From Laguna Beach to Las Vegas!!!

Yesterday I was at Laguna Beach and I had a wonderful time! The sea was really cold so we only dipped our toes in, but climbed onto rocks and took lots of photos. The sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze but it wasn't hot or cold, it was just right, a lovely day to walk on a lovely beach. This evening we are driving down to Las Vegas! Its going to take about three hours to get there, I cant wait!! x

HOLLYWOOD!

Today I did some sightseeing! I saw the Hollywood Hills but I'm a bit disappointed that I did'nt get a good picture of it, as my camera zoom is not that great. we walked along Sunset Boulevard, saw the Hollywood stars names on the pavement, saw the Kodak Theatre where the Oscars are held and also went to The Universal strip, which is just outside universal studios and has a load of shops and restaurants. Next destination: Disneyland!!! .x.

Greetings from the US!

I'm in the USA! Still cant believe I'm actually here, its great! I'm loving the sunshine, the american accents everything. Today I did a bit of shopping and tonight we're going to a halloween party. Unlike the UK the Americans make a very big deal out of it and I've seen loads of people dressed up and houses decorated too. When I get back I'll post some photos up! .x.

It's official!

I'm going to LA!! tickets booked and everything! I'm so looking forward to having a holiday, relaxing, thinking, no everyday stresses and worries. Just having some well earnt fun! x

USA??!!

I'm starting to get a bit excited as I might be going abroad! For some reason, since I was younger I've always wanted to go to America and now, twenty odd years later looks like I might just get the chance! I'll keep you posted! x

I'm still here!

Ok... so its been a while but I'm still here! I've recently turned another year older, got a new job taken up a few new hobbies... but there is still more I want and need to do! Maybe I'll take a holiday on my own in the next couple of weeks??? I dont know, not sure if I'm ready to venture abroad on my own yet but I'll keep you posted and hopefully it wont take me another 9months!! x

Happy New Year! 2008

I'm wishing everyone a fantastic year!!! .x.

Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year!

A day later and I'm still stuffed from my christmas dinner and all the mince pies and chocolates I've been over indulging on. Well, it only comes once a year so I say feast on! and be merry!
Lots of love from Charlene .x.

Better Late Than Never

It's been almost two months since my birthday and Im only just getting round to updating my blog, well, better late than never I say! and here are those photos I promised taken by cristina as I still have'nt got round to buying myself a camera with my birthday money. I've decided that I might as well leave it to the sales now and hopefully get a bargin. x.

27years...

It's my Birthday today!!! Usually when I turn another year older I feel a bit sad and reflective and then I start worrying that I'm a year older and heading closer to the big fat three zero! but this time I'm not dwelling too much and I feel happy to have reached this age and be alive and healthy. As far as I'm concerned I'm 27 Years Young!

Almost another year older...

Its my birthday in one weeks time! I cant believe how quickly a year has gone by. I'm really hoping to get a camera for my birthday as I've wanted and needed one for ages and nows the perfect opportunity to get one with the masses of birthday money im hoping to get! It will make me update my blog more regularly as I hate not having any visuals to put up when im writing here. I've booked the week off work so I'm aiming for total relaxation and pampering along with getting up to date with all the mundane stuff that I'd rather not do! Im having a joint celebration with my friend stephanie as our birthdays are four days apart. So Im hoping that my next entry will include some fun photos of my birthday bash taken with my new camera! x

"A Bigger Bang"

Last Thursday I went to see the Rolling Stones in Concert with my friend Cristina at The O2 Arena on the London leg of their, A Bigger Bang tour. I had an amazing time! Mick Jagger seems to have the energy of a five year old, its crazy! He didn't seem to stop dancing all night.

The stones are a band I dont think I would ever have got the chance to see but luckily cristina's aunt won tickets and because she was unable to go gave her the tickets and I was fortunate enough to be able to go too. This included two nights at a hotel in Marble Arch which was really nice.

I loved their triubte version of the late James Brown song "I go crazy" and their own hits, Start up, paint it black and of course, Satisfaction! x

create to learn:Exhibition!

Last week Wednesday Cristina and I put up the work that we had been doing with the school children for the exhibition. Wednesday night was the private view and it was really great to see the work up and finished and also what the other students and classes had been working on.The exhibition is on until sunday 22nd July at the.gallery@oxo, south bank. So please go and have a look if you get the chance.

I also managed to get a portrait of myself drawn whilst i was there, along with Cristinas friend Sarah. I think their pretty good!