Playing around with photoshop – learning a new skill

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Having left my old place of work at the end of last year and currently looking for something new I’ve decided to take the chance to learn some new skills, and something I’ve always wanted to do is learn a bit more about photoshop.

Cath Kidston Bag Collage

Remember this post? where I talked about making the bag from the kit that came with the Cath Kidston book, Sew? Well, Dave challenged me to make a collage out of the images – I’m quite proud of it actually, as a first attempt it isn’t too bad!

I want to make a few more banners and things for the blog, and may even try my hand at a design for the very top, so keep your eyes open.

So this is 30?

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I arrived into my 30’s with less of a bang more of a whimperhangover!

Friday was my actual birthday, and lovely Dave and I had a really wonderful day, though me waking him up at 7, having variously also been awake at 2, 5 and 6 was maybe not the best start to the day.  It was my 30th birthday, not my 8th, but apparently I still get ridiculously excited!

I got lovely presents from Mr Dave, a pandora bead with my birth stone on it, a gorgeous star necklace, the game 221b Baker Street and we’re going to see Rock of Ages in London next week!! (Tickets hidden in the soundtrack CD!)

We had lunch at Jamie’s italian in Norwich which was lovely and then we played the game and drank fizz!!

 

Saturday night was my birthday party, and I was on one… I think I’m still paying for it today, 2 days later! My family came for the weekend and there were so many lovely people there!

My birthday present!

I got more wonderful presents (including 3 bottles of fizzy wine that I’ll not be drinking anytime soon! I’ll save them for a special occasion, and when the memory of my hangover has passed!)

30 by 30 challenge

I completed 11 of my 30 challenges before my birthday, the list deserves a whole post of it’s own, I want to talk about it in a bit more detail, I think I watched 97 films in the end!

I’m not going to do a 40 by 40 list, or even 31 by 31… but I am going to have a list of goals for this year, probably somewhere in the region of 10-15, because it really made me feel focussed and positive to have something to aim for.

 

So this is 30! And as many people have told me, it is just a number, I always knew it deep down, but I have been scarily focussed on it, and not worried, but nervous I suppose.  My worries stemmed from worrying I wasn’t grown up enough to be 30, but actually, I don’t care – I’m not sure I’m ready to be a grown up just yet! I’ll carry on in my semi-grown up state…

Did you worry about an age? Are you worried about one coming up?

 

30 by 30 challenge – Make a useable handbag

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As a part of my 30 by 30 challenge (an update soon!) I set myself the challenge of making a useable handbag.

I started with the bag kit that came with my Sew! book by Cath Kidston.  I’m not very good at following instructions that are written down, but I went through this one step by step and I’m seriously proud of how it came out.

The only bit I messed up was the buttonhole, which was a rouleau (?) loop – I could not for the life of me work that out – so I sewed a couple of big poppers inside instead.  I also sewed the straps to the bag permanently and used the buttons as decoration, rather than attempt buttonholes.

 

I’m really proud of it actually, and I’m going to use it, regularly.  I’m also going to have a go at making it again, with different fabric, just to cement the techniques in my mind.

Book Recommendations! Monica Pradhan “The Hindi-Bindi Club”

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As a part of my 30 by 30 challenge, I’ve been trying to read a lot, I’m currently at 51 books, and I really wanted to tell you about number 51.

The Hindi-Bindi Club, by Monica Pradhan

I was looking for something new to read at the library and this book was in the “Staff recommendation” section, so I picked it up after a cursory glance (I’m a judge a book by its cover girl!) and added it to my pile.

I really want you to read it, because this book is beautiful, so I’m not going to tell you too much about it.  It tells the story of 3 families really, the mothers who went to America when they were young, from various parts of India, and their daughters who were born in America, bought bought up with a dual heritage. It really is a case of East meets West and I fell in love slightly, both with Monica Pradhan’s India, and the book.

I sat reading it on the bus and when I got near the end I found myself tearing up, which is very embarrassing.  The bonus of this lovely story is the gorgeous recipes littered throughout, including the notes from each of the people who wrote them.  If you check out the website you can see more lovely recipes and read the messages left by people (including me) who were touched by the book.

If you do feel the desire to buy this book, I’ve added an amazon affiliate link below, which it would be lovely if you do use 🙂

 

So, over to you, what book has touched you recently? I’ve still got 49 books to read! What would you recommend?

 
 

 

30 by 30 update

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Oh man! I really shouldn’t set myself blog targets – I just suck at them.

I’ve failed on the updating of my blog every month target but I have been ticking some things off my list, including:

  • Get my passport
  • Go somewhere I’ve never been before
  • Drive all the way to my parents
  • Organise a trip away with Dave

And I’ve been cracking on with my films and books – I’ve watched 38 films and read 25 books (possibly more!).  I have dates of everything written down and will update properly when I get home.

 

 

Change of goal #29

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#29 on my list is to finish the scarf I started to crochet at christmas.  I’ve decided to change this, to something slightly more challenging, but also something I’ve been working on too.

I’m crocheting a blanket of afghan squares for our bed.  Its going to be blue, purple and green and probably needs to be at least 240 squares, I’ve made 43!

So this is my new challenge!

Guilty pleasure films

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This was written on the train on my iPhone so please forgive no links or images.

I sat and watched the new version of St Trinian’s last night, a film I’ve seen before, but counts towards my 100 films.

It’s a good giggle of a film and one I really enjoyed, but couldn’t help feeling it was a bit of a guilty pleasure, I mean, it’s aimed at teenagers and is really rather silly, that doesn’t stop it being enjoyable!

And it got me thinking about other films I feel are slight guilty pleasures.

One has to be Bandslam which is one of our favourites! Another teen film with an awesome soundtrack.

Another one I love is Calamity Jane a Doris Day musical set in the wild west. This one makes me giggle, and cry and I love it.

More chick flicks in the form of 27 Dresses this is a film I never thought I’d enjoy but love o settle down and watch any time, nothing beats the “Benny and the Jets”
Scene!

Now of course, there is nothing wrong with any of these films, but I guess they aren’t really cool or edgy, but they are really enjoyable, and surely, sometimes that’s all you want from a movie?

What are your guilty pleasures?! Be brave and share with the group!

30 by 30, an update

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Well, hey there.
I can’t give you a total on the films and book list – my list is at home, I’m sat in a hotel room watching pants tv, so I thought I’d take the time to give you a little bit of an update.

the big one
I’m chuffed to bits that today I actually managed to fully pay off my credit card (number 1 on the list!). This was the big one and I’m so glad to have been able to do it. It’s going to make a real difference too.

feel the fear and do it anyway
I did my first “thing that scares me” this month too. I had to give a presentation at work, and the last one I did didn’t go so well, I was really disappointed with myself and therefore a lot more nervy this time around. I’m pleased to say that I was actually proud of the presentation I gave, and myself. So, big tick in the box – first one down!

So, overall, making some progress, I’ll do a film/book update soon, as well as march’s photo post.
Hope you are all doing ok.

Oh My God You Guys

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Last night, my girlfriends and I went to see Legally Blonde – The Musical at the Norwich Theatre Royal.

I always enjoy going to the theatre and musicals are one of my favourite things to see. This one was no exception, it was a great production and I’ve been singing the songs in my head (and maybe a little bit out loud) ever since.  The one above is a particular favourite.

One of my 30 things to do is go and see a show in London – any suggestions? Which would your favourite be?