tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368052452024-03-07T21:29:51.713+00:00A little piece of mecrpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.comBlogger1151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-54483175664325599782019-05-09T11:52:00.000+01:002019-05-09T11:52:11.218+01:00Pressed Flowers and The W.I. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7P3BR5Baytk/XNQDkjAS9tI/AAAAAAAAFh4/qjhseEuoX58JBNDKS3neY-CM-H4a1RfJwCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BDoodologist%2Bfacebook%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="828" height="121" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7P3BR5Baytk/XNQDkjAS9tI/AAAAAAAAFh4/qjhseEuoX58JBNDKS3neY-CM-H4a1RfJwCLcBGAs/s320/The%2BDoodologist%2Bfacebook%2B%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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This blog is now how many years old? (answer at the end of the post). I have seriously forgotten how long it has been since I even logged into the Blogger dashboard.<br />
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As I have mentioned many times over the years, the world of micro-blogging has long since stolen time away from writing more in depth blogs. I still use Twitter and Facebook, but the main fancy for me, is now Instagram.<br />
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The interesting thing that prompted me to log onto blogger today, was having a random peek over on <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/crpitt/">Pinterest</a> and noticing that I get 236.4k monthly view over there and the main website I have listed, is this one. So am I missing a trick by not utilising this site more? So here is a brief rundown down 'About Me' and what I am involved with.<br />
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I am an Artist in the North West of England (Widnes/Runcorn, which is near Liverpool). </div>
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I am based at Hazlehurst Studios <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hazlehurstartists/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Studio_73a">Twitter, </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HazlehurstStudios/">Facebook </a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyE2WhCH7Rw/XNP-kExk_5I/AAAAAAAAFhI/DeCkZGUupfUraRp_UauHdqGuYhf5cw0ywCLcBGAs/s1600/Front%2BDoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyE2WhCH7Rw/XNP-kExk_5I/AAAAAAAAFhI/DeCkZGUupfUraRp_UauHdqGuYhf5cw0ywCLcBGAs/s320/Front%2BDoor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I work with Pressed Flowers - My online shop is over on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CRPittDesigns">Etsy, </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/crpittdesigns/">Instagram, </a><a href="https://twitter.com/crpittdesigns">Twitter, </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/crpittdesigns">Facebook </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQWOFRXY9VGAx47DiuOQRqL_gHl-kXSaAUy6Z0T2ypadeqqyMQQCAc8vI8G2xPyUsT3b5p2wyPtSgomLoEEYxib3mRM67_hG4CNzy_h30se8vJoULkBmaQBfWgT9t097Fa81UFA/s1600/IMG_1693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQWOFRXY9VGAx47DiuOQRqL_gHl-kXSaAUy6Z0T2ypadeqqyMQQCAc8vI8G2xPyUsT3b5p2wyPtSgomLoEEYxib3mRM67_hG4CNzy_h30se8vJoULkBmaQBfWgT9t097Fa81UFA/s320/IMG_1693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I Doodle as 'The Doodologist' <a href="http://www.thedoodologist.com/">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thedoodologist/"> Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDoodologist">Twitter </a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheDoodologist">Facebook</a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NTJojAQ9wt0/XNQCb3jwiRI/AAAAAAAAFhs/iP18dx0ArC4lTXqHnZJY83NIYunEwVbHACLcBGAs/s1600/etsyicon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NTJojAQ9wt0/XNQCb3jwiRI/AAAAAAAAFhs/iP18dx0ArC4lTXqHnZJY83NIYunEwVbHACLcBGAs/s320/etsyicon.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I run a Community Garden Project called 'Old Town Bloomers'</div>
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<a href="https://www.oldtownbloomers.com/"> Website</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oldtownbloomers/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/oldtownbloomers">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oldtownbloomers/">Facebook</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwK6PttR-0Z3v9VotolwYWxXA12vrBs7TDe5lnKIueLNm45KIctMG-5OpdkLRdP7Kn0H8PxhdJXSn1CnJQsNrojwCmcgcTvxBGEIHJCIcvU62U3mlJrvfHvQd7wSGOWydb-LgIQ/s1600/bloom+18-3%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwK6PttR-0Z3v9VotolwYWxXA12vrBs7TDe5lnKIueLNm45KIctMG-5OpdkLRdP7Kn0H8PxhdJXSn1CnJQsNrojwCmcgcTvxBGEIHJCIcvU62U3mlJrvfHvQd7wSGOWydb-LgIQ/s320/bloom+18-3%25281%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I am a member of Runcorn WI -<a href="https://runcornwi.org.uk/"> Website</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/RuncornWI">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RuncornWI/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/runcornwi/">Instagram</a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enfU_KF4TzA/XNQE1vlMFBI/AAAAAAAAFiE/-SExVp44nskT0sjrsMfxb-OnA4RBGLtsACLcBGAs/s1600/runcornwibanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="136" data-original-width="369" height="117" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enfU_KF4TzA/XNQE1vlMFBI/AAAAAAAAFiE/-SExVp44nskT0sjrsMfxb-OnA4RBGLtsACLcBGAs/s320/runcornwibanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I use Social Media a lot</div>
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I have had this blog since 2006, it has changed style and theme many times, but has been an invaluable tool over the years. </div>
crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-32975681513844792202016-07-26T13:24:00.000+01:002016-07-27T19:50:31.886+01:00C.R.Pitt Designs <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGC_heLoZww/V5dM9Jh8OTI/AAAAAAAAEAc/iJrVY8EqeEExZruz4kEsNSypfZZ1RNrJwCLcB/s1600/C.R.Pitt%2BDesigns%2B%25283%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGC_heLoZww/V5dM9Jh8OTI/AAAAAAAAEAc/iJrVY8EqeEExZruz4kEsNSypfZZ1RNrJwCLcB/s400/C.R.Pitt%2BDesigns%2B%25283%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Update post from me at last! Introducing my new online shop over on<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/crpittdesigns"> Etsy</a> and how I got to there in the first place.<br />
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I have now been based at the wonderful <a href="http://hazlehurststudios.co.uk/">Hazlehurst Studios</a> in Runcorn for the past three years, working on community art and garden projects, as well as my own commissioned work.<br />
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I originally started life in the creative world as a blogger, which started because of my counselling training. This turned into a doodling career as 'The Doodologist', thanks to the Prince's Trust <a href="https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/support-starting-business/enterprise">Enterprise programme</a>. I still love doodling and I am working on some designs and ideas behind the scenes at the moment.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/crpittdesigns">C.R.Pitt Designs</a> was born from my love of buttons. What started as a lonely jar of buttons, has led to friends, from all over the place, sending me their own beautiful old collections of family buttons.
Sorting through old buttons, brings up so many memories, that I find it very thought provoking and wanted a way of capturing those memories into something beautiful. I then started adding broken watch parts and real/costume jewellery into the mix, to add even more of a personal touch<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxLBqRkS_IEDFIpJtzIipNVElKB0Svoi1vDcLZCGvxoO3drsRRT_hvSR7AS54hiVKKBWiB9ntZqB5LVG5AsOTYVb8iwDHJqwsv6Yo0slz17c2iIehRpZ_fr9qg33BtIAeQAcE0w/s1600/greens3web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxLBqRkS_IEDFIpJtzIipNVElKB0Svoi1vDcLZCGvxoO3drsRRT_hvSR7AS54hiVKKBWiB9ntZqB5LVG5AsOTYVb8iwDHJqwsv6Yo0slz17c2iIehRpZ_fr9qg33BtIAeQAcE0w/s320/greens3web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I started playing around with pressed flowers after working on gardening projects and having a new found appreciation of the beauty of all things floral. Just like buttons, flowers promote strong feelings and memories. They are soft and delicate with beautiful colours, which only last for a fleeting amount of time, unless you do something to preserve them. At the moment I have only pressed a small amount myself and get the majority from a lovely lady and her beautiful cottage garden.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hn8ljAidl8/V5dPg98EqDI/AAAAAAAAEBY/ZXKMfHvuqeAfAr_qkg5v48-hr47H7n2WwCEw/s1600/s1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hn8ljAidl8/V5dPg98EqDI/AAAAAAAAEBY/ZXKMfHvuqeAfAr_qkg5v48-hr47H7n2WwCEw/s320/s1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Gemstones, sea glass, seashells are just a few of the other materials that I have recently started to play with, as this adds even more dimension to the pieces that I create, from a wider colour palette, to adding personal touches that includes birthstones.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00dWMOpdWB3AX-ko2NHKJ7yF1XyRLLiDBieDJeZNAUG1Gk-vg5f0WsZSI_UOtSjSX3ZzJg6WdpJvYyD8-wFnoNYldkVvkXJ8xbpbYUAHbS3cAFeDP-TEUauH_fLd3RXtmkEqi3g/s1600/Alice2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00dWMOpdWB3AX-ko2NHKJ7yF1XyRLLiDBieDJeZNAUG1Gk-vg5f0WsZSI_UOtSjSX3ZzJg6WdpJvYyD8-wFnoNYldkVvkXJ8xbpbYUAHbS3cAFeDP-TEUauH_fLd3RXtmkEqi3g/s320/Alice2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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On some of my other special pieces, I have started to make handmade embellishments. These may look like paper, but they are in fact acrylic. At the moment, my experiments have been based upon using vintage illustrations that are in the public domain. I have had a life long fascination with the older illustrations, marvelling at the skill they had with limited resources and reference materials.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztSsuGnX3baAT2WDpW6UB6G7CWKTXNIGO7g8X53App2ZOHbs-uMythDSstv4SRIqo3wM19iTfVMLPcG-Lf0OoDR9fM136OMTJ-1u7mtLBsaW8_hhMopTyEdy-w1hEYSzA-3BCJg/s1600/Vintage+Inspiration+with+a+twist%2521.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztSsuGnX3baAT2WDpW6UB6G7CWKTXNIGO7g8X53App2ZOHbs-uMythDSstv4SRIqo3wM19iTfVMLPcG-Lf0OoDR9fM136OMTJ-1u7mtLBsaW8_hhMopTyEdy-w1hEYSzA-3BCJg/s400/Vintage+Inspiration+with+a+twist%2521.png" width="266" /></a></div>
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If you have any special requests or general questions, then please get in touch! In the meantime, please stalk my instagram and facebook pages, oh and give the Etsy page a favourite too.<br />
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<b>Facebook</b>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/crpittdesigns/">C.R.Pitt Designs</a> </div>
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<b>Instagram</b>: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/crpittdesigns/">C.R.Pitt Designs </a></div>
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<b>Etsy</b>: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CRPittDesigns?ref=hdr_shop_menu">C.R.Pitt Designs </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/CRPittDesigns?ref=offsite_badges&utm_source=sellers&utm_medium=badges&utm_campaign=en_isell_1"><img height="200" src="//img0.etsystatic.com/site-assets/badges/en/en_isell_1.png" width="200" /></a></div>
crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-52742613925612033152016-04-19T00:40:00.001+01:002016-04-19T00:40:41.619+01:00Turning this on and then off again<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOrM25lMCkyP80Ti-1IeV5TS6xttfMegl2JB5n-YxO8BoV26JPj7-K1ZOGbXub1HkXXajfR4FK6lwfboB2WlwJzKkMMVLUtAperCODjZjlFVAOoBy9BdI0TPVmFArD56h8L66IQ/s640/blogger-image--1082062332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOrM25lMCkyP80Ti-1IeV5TS6xttfMegl2JB5n-YxO8BoV26JPj7-K1ZOGbXub1HkXXajfR4FK6lwfboB2WlwJzKkMMVLUtAperCODjZjlFVAOoBy9BdI0TPVmFArD56h8L66IQ/s640/blogger-image--1082062332.jpg"></a></div>Currently setting up an Etsy selling page for my new wares.<div><br><div>Instagram is the new fangled way of sharing things, don't tell the other platforms.... My new account over there is <a href="http://instagram.com/crpittdesigns">http://instagram.com/crpittdesigns</a> and below are a few images that I have shared over there so far. Sooooooo many #hashtags to figure out and so little time, but they seem to work over in that particular playground, much more than anywhere else. </div><div><br></div><div>This is a departure from my usual doodle style, but soon there will be a marriage of the two styles. Which will be either beautiful or terrible or beautifully terrible. </div><div><br></div><div>Yet again I have promised myself that I will blog and blog often. I've noticed that as I am writing this, there is a presumption that someone other myself and the odd Google bot will read this. Who knows? The past year has been awful and there is epic blog post trapped in my brain, that wants to escape into the world and maybe it will. </div><div><br></div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-odLxl5tVXtI/VxVwcIj_UCI/AAAAAAAAD-E/ZUyqRAj3fUY/s640/blogger-image--894795586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-odLxl5tVXtI/VxVwcIj_UCI/AAAAAAAAD-E/ZUyqRAj3fUY/s640/blogger-image--894795586.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IBAEjI7inmg/VxVwXmUifEI/AAAAAAAAD98/BTD5x0qM6Go/s640/blogger-image--865527564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IBAEjI7inmg/VxVwXmUifEI/AAAAAAAAD98/BTD5x0qM6Go/s640/blogger-image--865527564.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7nnRgClvK7M5sH451aRldYIdQ-MHJFJxBMaaXpgh4sYUpQV-XAaIi1MtmKo4xK4WcbGOp8BMFO33ufq8lbisxsXK5vig_Ygxt1bhPa3Eu3XfCUYS9PnOKARnvN-MZaj7kLN0bQ/s640/blogger-image-1063181792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7nnRgClvK7M5sH451aRldYIdQ-MHJFJxBMaaXpgh4sYUpQV-XAaIi1MtmKo4xK4WcbGOp8BMFO33ufq8lbisxsXK5vig_Ygxt1bhPa3Eu3XfCUYS9PnOKARnvN-MZaj7kLN0bQ/s640/blogger-image-1063181792.jpg"></a></div><br></div>crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-61920287326379741072015-03-17T21:56:00.004+00:002015-03-17T21:56:32.739+00:00Big Lunch Extras in Preston - The Banana of future truth <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Big Lunch Extras hits Preston</b></span><br />
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In my previous post I waffled on about how I discovered '<a href="http://www.thebiglunch.com/">Big Lunch</a>' and the subsequent '<a href="http://www.biglunchextras.com/">Big Lunch Extras</a>' program, which you can read here '<a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2015/03/big-lunch-extra-and-beyond.html">Big Lunch Extras and Beyond</a>'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a brief intro into the ethos behind 'Big Lunch Extras' please view this video like thing.</span><br />
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When I arrived in Preston I didn't technically know where I was going, so just aimed for nearest spire (I knew it was in a church), obviously I aimed for the wrong one and forty minutes later, and only ten minutes from my original starting point, I found the venue. At least I got my ten thousand steps in that day! The venue was the lovely Preston Minster and I must just say how lovely the people that helped out that day were, especially the amounts of times I went back for a coffee refill (I think they saw me down the first one, like a shot of tequila).</span><br />
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Upon arrival I was warmly greatly and badged up before I knew it, then I ran to get a coffee (see above), before grabbing a pew (pun intended, we were in a church after all). It is slightly awkward, well for me, when you go to these things alone, but everyone was so nice, that soon faded away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Introduction from <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeSmithEden">Mike soon to be Superman Smith</a></span><br />
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Team members <a href="https://twitter.com/hanabackland%20Hannah%20Backland">Hannah Backland </a>, <a href="http://www.biglunchextras.com/users/jeni-lewitt">Jeni Lewitt </a></span><br />
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Along with this lovely video:</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Topics covered </span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not going to go into the topics too much, they were fascinating though, just too much for a blog post and my brain at the moment! But I made a few notes and bookmarked some sites to investigate further. </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Food banks - <a href="http://www.trusselltrust.org/">Betty Trussell</a>, encouraging food network, crisis help, social enterprise, recycling, helps with social isolation. Eat well/spend less. How to incorporate local food banks in project. Rolling out new initiatives/services. Signposting: linking people with the right agencies (listen while they talk). Other food bank projects, all different, all can collaborate in different ways. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://sustainablefoodcities.org/findacity/cityinformation/userid/64">Sustainable Food Lancashire </a> SFC network (look up) <a href="http://sustainablefoodcities.org/">Sustainable Food City</a> Love food/hate waste Tackling food poverty, Facebook page - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheLarderLancashire?fref=ts">The Larder </a>, Twitter page: <a href="https://twitter.com/SustFoodLancs">@sustfoodlancs </a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://lancastercvs.org.uk/">Lancaster CVS</a> - Really helpful information about funding! Here is a rough summary of those notes! Jane Attfield was brilliant, with some cracking tips from Alicia Foley. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quality - real outcomes<br />Applying for funding : What do you really want to do ?<br /><b>DOs</b>Clarity<br />Get support from others<br />Creative<br />Plan risk assessment<br />DBS/Safeguarding<br />Read<br />Evidence<br />Clear financial breakdown<br />Market research<br />Time frame<br />Time line<br />Apply in plenty of time (3-6 months in advance)<br />Match funding<br />Community Engagement<br />Do your own fundraising<br /><b>DONTs</b>:<br />Exaggerate (numbers of participation, achievable things, quality).<br />Panic (forms can be overwhelming)<br />Waffle - be clear<br />Apply for any and every pot of funding<br />Consistently rely on other funding - how to be sustainable<br />-------------------<br />Look at '<a href="https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding/Awards-For-All">Awards for all</a>' - key themes<br /><i>Important </i>1. Eligibility<br />2. Clarity<br />3. Need<br />4. Benefits<br /><i> Most important </i><br />*bank accounts, paperwork, policies, constitution<br />*clarity - no jargon/no waffle<br />*well costed project - include match funding<br />Food provided, community room hire, volunteer hours = match funding<br />*Need - demonstrate the need, talk to people<br />*Benefits - people's lives have changed (or will) because of the funded project.</span></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a break for lunch, which was delicious!</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then inspiring anecdotes from Community Catalyst Mike soon to be Superman Smith. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mike was very clear about main purpose of these events, which is to put like-minded people together and see what magic they can conquer up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tony's Top Ten Tips (mysterious/mythical Tony)<br />1. Do stuff - Just Do It<br />Hope is the fuel<br />*Articulating your goals<br />2. Be hopeful ~ Have a dream<br />3. Learn about your life ~ lone nut<br />4. Increase your reach ~ Be Angry (about the right things).<br />5. Be angry at the things you can change<br />*imagination will get you everywhere<br />Once a month visit something new<br />6. Imagine different things<br />*understand why we need each other<br />7. Give gifts and give thanks<br />*people don't care about what they don't understand.<br /><your comfort zone> -------> where the magic happens<<br />8. Get out more<br />9. Forgive yourself (and others)<br />*find a project bigger than yourself<br />10. Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!<br />*you are what you do<br />11. Be The Change! </span></blockquote>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Community Arts</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last part of the day was play time, in which we played with ideas that could then be taken back to our own individual projects back at home. </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Animation</b>: I didn't make one! Devastated, but here is what the other dudes created on the day.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Pom Poms</b> - Knitted things and all thing woolly seems to really resonate with people! More about that from me. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ninja Wildflower Stars</b> - LOVE this idea, paper, wild flower seeds, rice glue and there you go! I will be doing this and then reporting back on the progress. So easy to do, and more importantly less mess! </span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summing it up:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The one day event was inspiring and informative, and I am super excited about the next event which is in.. <a href="http://www.edenproject.com/">The Eden Project</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Banana of Future Truth - Yes I actually wrote that in my notes and it will forever be in my brain. Banana of Future Truth - an anecdotal tale that left a rather funny image in my mind, which in a nutshell, was about imagining the impossible and then making it possible. </span><br />
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Over the next few weeks I will be developing the <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/old-town-bloom-2014-in-a-nutshell/">Old Town Bloom</a> 2015 project and then it is off to the Eden project for the April 2015 camp, which I will be blogging about and hashtagging like crazy over on the twitter.</span><br />
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Keep an eye out for future Big Lunch Extras event for 2015 by following this like *<a href="http://www.biglunchextras.com/events">Click Here</a>*</span></div>
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crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-2383047170343352542015-03-08T23:23:00.000+00:002015-03-09T12:28:50.749+00:00Big Lunch Extra and beyond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last year I did a community garden project called '<a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/old-town-bloom-2014-in-a-nutshell/">Old Town Bloom</a>', it was my first foray into community engagement type things, as I hadn't ever wanted to engage with the community (or ever realised I would want to). Who knew actually leaving the studio and talking to people would be so enjoyable. I also didn't envisage spending nearly six months covered in compost, but that is what happened and I loved it. I used my iPhone to document every step of the way and it has literally took about six hours to upload all of them to flickr, so enjoy the slideshow below!<br />
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In a nutshell, <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/">Hazlehurst Studios</a> (myself included under that banner), Super John and members of our local community, created a pop up garden in an unused space (working on some backdated posts about that, but in the meantime look at all the shiny pictures, taken by Niki Carlin and read the blog over on Hazlehurst Studios '<a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/old-town-bloom-2014-in-a-nutshell/">Old Town Bloom in a nutshell</a> and <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/friends-of-old-town-bloom-rotary-club/">Friends of Old Town Bloom</a>).<br />
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It was really well received and many people have posed the question.. What are you doing this year? To say that I am chuffed about this, would be a massive understatement, the project was such a steep learning curve, that I was totally unsure how it would turn out.<br />
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Back to the question posed by the local community 'What are you doing this year?'... Well the answer is, not quite sure yet. We have lots of ideas, but unsure how we should proceed. The royal 'We' is <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/">Hazlehurst Studio</a>s by the way, being a part of the studios enables myself and the other artists to work together on community projects. Hazlehurst is a not for profit CIC, which makes thing easier for magical form filling and all that fun stuff, especially when going after wee pots of money for community engagement projects.</div>
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So in our endeavours to create something not only lovely in our local community, we also want to build on the great connections we made last year and that leads me to Big Lunch and Big Lunch Extras. </div>
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I had heard about <a href="http://www.thebiglunch.com/">Big Lunch </a>before, but hadn't the reason (or inclination at the time) to investigate further, so when pondering about the next community project, my gaze was once again drawn back to this idea (via spotting a tweet), this led to finding out about the Big Lunch Extra program and becoming a part of it. </div>
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The main motivation to joining <a href="http://www.biglunchextras.com/">BLE</a> is the search for knowledge, instead of stumbling around putting together another temporary community project, we want to put together something more substantial that brings the community together. </div>
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I recently attended my first Big Lunch Extra event in Preston, so my next blog post will be about that and how it leads to the marvellous <a href="http://www.edenproject.com/">Eden Project</a>. </div>
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crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-28731563907338121942015-03-04T21:47:00.001+00:002015-03-04T22:06:27.261+00:00Blogging blog bloggy blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b7CucKp27jQ/VPd9U3LD_XI/AAAAAAAADqg/Nx0n0pSVSvQ/s640/blogger-image-1435287384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b7CucKp27jQ/VPd9U3LD_XI/AAAAAAAADqg/Nx0n0pSVSvQ/s640/blogger-image-1435287384.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Blog more regularly she said, she loves blogging she said, she misses blogging.... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All that is true! But for some reason I have been remiss in starting to blog again. So enough excuses, there are too many brilliant things coming up this year, that deserve more than the odd tweet to memorialise them. Not for the odd person that reads this, but for me! This blog is the best version of a diary I have ever found that works for me and I miss being able to read back on my own wafflings ( to help me remember shit).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I wandered down to the Albert Docks yesterday and literally had the cobwebs blown away (hence the hairy photograph). This was after a lovely meeting with a doodle client that put things into perspective for me. More about that in the not to distance future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKzLmhYgG_tmwqgXw5FZiv5QYX4mcsJXtB13x2z7ZF0cHc4Lj-f8ELCugsBhcUyv1B-0RCT06AIxUFEiffOzUiqKBto0bgIfP3yNxHAl9rwWAocsWYe96fPMS-zz8wV78SEyeoQ/s640/blogger-image--181498524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKzLmhYgG_tmwqgXw5FZiv5QYX4mcsJXtB13x2z7ZF0cHc4Lj-f8ELCugsBhcUyv1B-0RCT06AIxUFEiffOzUiqKBto0bgIfP3yNxHAl9rwWAocsWYe96fPMS-zz8wV78SEyeoQ/s640/blogger-image--181498524.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Having no computer or laptop at home now (it lives at the studio), means that I can't fall into my witching hour blogging, so I am writing this on my phone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last night was our monthly studio meeting (at Hazlehurst Studios, where my studio is) and one of the topics was in fact blogging and providing content for use online. I was harping on about needing information from everyone else, without actually providing any myself, which was rather naughty. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tomorrow is a doodle day for me, with some proposal writing (brain hurty). On Friday I am running off to Preston to find out more about the Big Lunch Extra program, of which I am now a part of. Over the weekend I shall ponder what to blog about next, or less pondering and more blogging in a journal like way, who knows. </div>crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-75246230281627572272015-01-17T17:21:00.000+00:002015-01-19T13:11:10.414+00:00Does Pinterest hold your interest? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had been questing for a way to make my bookmarks work for me, for a long long time. Being a visual person has made looking at list upon list a big chore and with no picture clue, I would easily forget why I had bookmarked something in the first place.This was regardless of whether I had arranged the bookmarks into folders and subfolders. So when Pinterest came along, I was very curious to see if it would work as a visual bookmarking tool for me. This blog post will hopefully explain how I use Pinterest and how it works for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I have already mentioned, I use Pinterest mainly as a bookmarking tool, creating a humongous visual library for me to dip into whenever I feel the need.
I am an artist, so I have created TONS of boards that suit my specific needs when researching something for a doodle commission or a crafty project. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I absolutely adore vintage illustrations, so I have spent a lot of time collecting them from specific sources, the vast majority are in the public domain and available to use for any purpose. I have also included some sites where you can buy images too. I must stress that you should also check to see if the images are in fact in the public domain, just because it has been pinned, does not mean it is for use by anyone, always check!
I think it is very important to pin from the source, I use reverse image search a lot, to make sure that I am pinning something from the original article/author/photographer. This will save you a lot of time when you need to go back and actually use the information that you have pinned. Don't get swayed by a lovely image, take the time to see that it isn't being pinned from the wrong place or worse, a spam filled horrible website. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a big fan of 'How to Draw' tutorials, this saves a lot of time and stress, when you just can't get your head around drawing a particular thing. Using a combination of modern tutorials and vintage line drawings have proven to be excellent reference material. They are also helpful tools for anyone to use and people seem to like those pins a lot. If it encourages more people to draw, then that is very cool.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HRSsFA6uQA/VLqQJYD1XsI/AAAAAAAADiM/4LMYwz-14GY/s1600/following.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HRSsFA6uQA/VLqQJYD1XsI/AAAAAAAADiM/4LMYwz-14GY/s1600/following.jpg" height="157" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would say that the next biggest thing I pin is craft tutorials, some very specific to what I already like and some that I hope to do eventually! As with any image, make sure that what you pin, actually leads back to the tutorial that you need! It is so frustrating if the pin leads to just a picture and not the actual tutorial. I also think if someone has gone to the effort of writing an awesome tutorial they deserve the credit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rest of my pins are centred around blogging, tech tips and other social media articles I have found interesting. I do use Pinterest to pin my own artistic endeavours, but have not really invested much time in that yet. I also don't follow that many people either, as that can make your home feed very very noisy and pinterest is already very much like falling down the rabbit hole. I would definitely recommend being selective about who you follow and what boards you follow from that person, as people tend to be very eclectic on there ( I know I am). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have any questions, please ask a question in the comments! I have recently started to look at what other people seem to find interesting about what I pin, from what I can gather the 'How to Draw' boards and anything with vintage illustrations are proving to be the most popular.
I used a website called Tailwind to find out those stats, but I am looking into a few others sites, so will report back on which one I would recommend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Tools for using Pinterest more effectively</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Various extensions and apps can greatly improve how useful Pinterest is to you, from using it on your PC and/or laptop to using it on your smartphone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://shotpin.com/">ShotPin </a>~ A Chrome browser extension to make it easy to
take a screenshot of any web page
and then share it on Pinterest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pin-it-button/gpdjojdkbbmdfjfahjcgigfpmkopogic?hl=en">Pin it</a>' button works as a chrome extension (sorry non chromey like people), making life a lot easier, as you are browsing, allowing you to pin at will. For those tricky sites/articles that have no pinnable images, that is where ShotPin comes in handy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I currently have an iPhone 4S and use the Pinterest app quite a lot, it is very handy for browsing and pulling up reference material when I am out and about, away from my laptop or PC. I have found it to be very user friendly, pictures are displayed really nicely and and super easy to navigate.
You can find it in the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/pinterest/id429047995?mt=8">App Store</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DuWmawKxiHwvegvc19SghKD4gsL1IVbrUDinC-LWIjDTS5LGbjil2HEsWu2o9pz03cg4KoD1s5KMSL3aWU2HzyEj-L-KUERLL5o3xMjZLWxMem2fj9ejjggpHLuHkpCHvkkGqQ/s1600/Apps+etc+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DuWmawKxiHwvegvc19SghKD4gsL1IVbrUDinC-LWIjDTS5LGbjil2HEsWu2o9pz03cg4KoD1s5KMSL3aWU2HzyEj-L-KUERLL5o3xMjZLWxMem2fj9ejjggpHLuHkpCHvkkGqQ/s1600/Apps+etc+.jpg" height="157" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Recently the 'related pins' feature over on pinterest has been annoying, although it seems to have eased off on flooding my home feed at the moment.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Finally, I have been having a look at my latest statistics over on pinterest itself and it is rather interesting, as it proves if you pin interesting things, people like them, just not my actual website, whoops. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGw0UBNLq8jynUSLvf2K9ltbY5kGeoJ5poPrF2afmJRJ5n3SixTN45v1OnRQMwoDxGuxVxwBcsCXqH91wYz-7XGBhThEkmSbYhH3d1UfGbgGO42jaK1PeOJY9riDBATrJodhZdLg/s1600/pinstats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGw0UBNLq8jynUSLvf2K9ltbY5kGeoJ5poPrF2afmJRJ5n3SixTN45v1OnRQMwoDxGuxVxwBcsCXqH91wYz-7XGBhThEkmSbYhH3d1UfGbgGO42jaK1PeOJY9riDBATrJodhZdLg/s1600/pinstats.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">After all this waffle, you may actually be curious to see what I pin over on Pinterest? I should warn you now, that it is a visual representation of my mind, which can at times be scary :)</span></span><br />
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<a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedUser" data-pin-scale-height="200" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="http://www.pinterest.com/crpitt/">Visit The Doodologist's profile on Pinterest.</a><!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-72134286416465255642014-03-12T03:10:00.000+00:002014-03-12T03:10:39.537+00:00The Evolution of #HaltonHour<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fvmv9nPqJuQ/Ux4tf1kR9gI/AAAAAAAADNM/MyhVVHkTv1g/s1600/TEXT+HERE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fvmv9nPqJuQ/Ux4tf1kR9gI/AAAAAAAADNM/MyhVVHkTv1g/s1600/TEXT+HERE.png" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What the fudge is a #hashtag?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before I go on to mention <a href="https://twitter.com/HaltonHour">#HaltonHour</a>, I should elaborate on what an actual hashtag is, for those that don't know. It might be something that you have seen a lot and just never paid attention to, or it might have annoyed you and/or just confused the shizzle out of you.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, in the words of Twitter:</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hashtag <a href="https://support.twitter.com/articles/49309-using-hashtags-on-twitter"><strong style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); line-height: 18px;">Definition: </strong><span style="background-color: #eef6fa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); line-height: 21px;">The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages.</span></a></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now that we have cleared that up, we can go on to cover the subject at hand, which is <a href="https://twitter.com/HaltonHour">#HaltonHour.</a> For a while now I have been watching the twitter streams for a relevant hashtag for my various twitter persona's, when talking about things that are happening on a local level. This has become more relevant now that my doodling stuff has a real tangible home, within <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/">Hazlehurst Studios</a>, which is in Runcorn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Run down of my Twitter accounts:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/crpitt">@crpitt </a>~ Personal rambling account</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/TheDoodologist">@TheDoodologist </a>~ Businessish account</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Studio_73a">@Studio_73a </a>- Artist daily musings for my studios home at Hazlehurst Studios, this account also promotes the <a href="https://twitter.com/HazlehurstCraft">@HazlehurstStudios</a> main account.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is super important to me that Halton, as a region, establishes more of a presence in the social media world, as that will be great for all the local businesses and organisations in Halton. I have realised how hard it is to network within your area, if you don't actually know who is out there. I have actually been listing various hashtags to play with, in regards to Hazlehurst Studios, but none seemed appropriate. Then I have been trying to search out businesses and organisations on twitter, using keywords such as 'Widnes', 'Runcorn' and even 'Halton', but that has provided haphazard results till now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I spotted the <a href="https://twitter.com/HaltonHour">@HaltonHour</a> twitter account, a week or so ago and thought how serendipitous it was to turn up now! At the very moment in time, when I am writing up some information for funding applications, with a focus on networking in our local area.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVKzDMl8wgM/Ux-1GFw1TII/AAAAAAAADOY/Z-6d_oqkKu4/s1600/Haltonhour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVKzDMl8wgM/Ux-1GFw1TII/AAAAAAAADOY/Z-6d_oqkKu4/s1600/Haltonhour.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It has been set up by Red Website Design, a webdesign company based in Widnes, mentioned in this blog post: <a href="http://www.red-website-design.co.uk/halton-hour/4583136554">Halton Hour</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Website:<a href="http://www.red-website-design.co.uk/"> http://www.red-website-design.co.uk/</a> </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Red_Web_Design">https://twitter.com/Red_Web_Design</a> </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RedWebsiteDesign">https://www.facebook.com/RedWebsiteDesign</a></span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXAcO9-tkqz1mDprMOmKzjS9v_PWJ43h7rDd5zFVSDAX8MMDpHoLALxnfAZIUcNR1WhHX8znf_HeYIPAqdJDzoJAinCY-ljeUBemfpfsWuDggHqUACw3BMEoHhMldECbU2GamfA/s1600/redtwitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXAcO9-tkqz1mDprMOmKzjS9v_PWJ43h7rDd5zFVSDAX8MMDpHoLALxnfAZIUcNR1WhHX8znf_HeYIPAqdJDzoJAinCY-ljeUBemfpfsWuDggHqUACw3BMEoHhMldECbU2GamfA/s1600/redtwitter.jpg" height="320" width="261" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ry190YkUPw/Ux-1GpDIulI/AAAAAAAADOU/gu8Kobfy7WU/s1600/redweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ry190YkUPw/Ux-1GpDIulI/AAAAAAAADOU/gu8Kobfy7WU/s1600/redweb.jpg" height="235" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They definitely deserve a pat on the back for taking the initiative to get #HaltonHour up and running, and makes me wonder why nobody else thought to do it? I know there are lots of successful businesses in and around Halton, so why are none of those making some noise on Twitter?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The very first #HaltonHour took place on Monday 10th March and I have looked at a few different ways to track to who was tweeting and what they were tweeting about. I have also included some different gadgets that I use to tweet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Tagboard</b>: I created a #HaltonHour on <a href="https://tagboard.com/HaltonHour/160107">Tagboard </a> and really like the way you can peruse through all the tweets at your leisure, without the noise of other tweets.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f_dVijWikDo/Ux5sOpQx-eI/AAAAAAAADNs/OdQjj_hHwUg/s1600/%23tagboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f_dVijWikDo/Ux5sOpQx-eI/AAAAAAAADNs/OdQjj_hHwUg/s1600/%23tagboard.jpg" height="199" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Tweetdeck</b>: Tweetdeck is my twitter chrome extension of choice, so I have used the search feature within tweetdeck and created a column which auotupdates with any #HaltonHour tweets. I like using this feature when I am working at my PC/Laptop and watching the tweets in real time. I also don't have to manually switch back and forth between accounts when I am using tweetdeck, which is a big plus point for me.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X7CuEH5QNLcbl4mlCTFROPgORzdCHjLW4EOhbJHo41rKk63OeNdXPu1fF4f3c5-GJR4cLtKjn_s-BFDV6i6CAkwxYAzvbV4uXD6zrm5nDzAR3O6HOYMvkmuUEmCMvb5h1sAj1w/s1600/Tweetdeck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X7CuEH5QNLcbl4mlCTFROPgORzdCHjLW4EOhbJHo41rKk63OeNdXPu1fF4f3c5-GJR4cLtKjn_s-BFDV6i6CAkwxYAzvbV4uXD6zrm5nDzAR3O6HOYMvkmuUEmCMvb5h1sAj1w/s1600/Tweetdeck.jpg" height="400" width="358" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Twitter</b>: I don't often to use the main twitter page, but the search function is great. You can easily search for #HaltonHour tweets, selecting the 'Top Tweets' or 'All Tweets', as seen in the screenshots below.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AWONREhdXsCtSZetZmDeK_ge8PmAu-lxtlYZqrmExaqUrnFsLzKsnYF8WX_mpamzy_nfbkmBiPLoi1_W0FyezRkpBoINIP74fMi4QAINqTkJyGuggHPalnNR6qpsVfRTrobSkQ/s1600/Twitter%23search.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AWONREhdXsCtSZetZmDeK_ge8PmAu-lxtlYZqrmExaqUrnFsLzKsnYF8WX_mpamzy_nfbkmBiPLoi1_W0FyezRkpBoINIP74fMi4QAINqTkJyGuggHPalnNR6qpsVfRTrobSkQ/s1600/Twitter%23search.jpg" height="199" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qIOJC_IZhk/Ux5sReKSyQI/AAAAAAAADN4/bv3_hoE4Irg/s1600/twitter%23searchtop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qIOJC_IZhk/Ux5sReKSyQI/AAAAAAAADN4/bv3_hoE4Irg/s1600/twitter%23searchtop.jpg" height="199" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Twitter App</b>: During this #HaltonHour I was away from the PC and Laptop, so I relied on my iPhone to participate. Once you get the hang of it, switching between accounts isn't difficult, but can be a bit of a pain. Especially when these type of networking events are so fast paced and over a short period of time.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWMs5ymk11E/Ux_DBFmhBRI/AAAAAAAADOw/-G0Hz9iK7SY/s1600/photo+1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWMs5ymk11E/Ux_DBFmhBRI/AAAAAAAADOw/-G0Hz9iK7SY/s1600/photo+1.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The search feature on the twitter app is as good as the twitter main site, so I found that a great help.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G18jWUKoo_M/Ux_DAsiQWKI/AAAAAAAADOs/_PFKzMLhSSY/s1600/photo+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G18jWUKoo_M/Ux_DAsiQWKI/AAAAAAAADOs/_PFKzMLhSSY/s1600/photo+2.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So why should you participate in #HaltonHour?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think regardless of whether you are a new to twitter or an old hand, making connections within your local community is vitally important. You never know when you might have the need for a local craftsman, the lesser spotted plumber or elusive electrician. It is not just about having the yellow pages in twitter form, its also about finding local services, events, charities and a whole feast of things, that somehow end up being the worlds best kept secret. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Positive Side</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finding Local Businesses and Organisations to follow and connect with.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Increase in potential customers/audience.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Turning the spotlight on your local community.</span></li>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I am expecting this list to grow over time, but seems a bit premature to list the positive after only one #HaltonHour so far.</i></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Negative Side</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One hit wonder ~ Will #HaltonHour start off well, but soon dwindle away to a spam filled self serving entity? (I think that is down to the people that take part)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is a small bugbear of mine, not sure why it it irritates me so much, but it does. When you are clearly trying to network with your local twitter users, hence using such a specific #hashtag like #HaltonHour, why do other businesses from out of that area still jump on the bandwagon? Get your own #hour.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you have any questions about #HaltonHour?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope to see even more local businesses taking part next Monday between 1-2pm!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzR6fYG6KNwG43H18scikLQtwL3ZZf5yzYCcJwPeFGjoIqbluvqWvzFIIkYXFYLezjFsULT2jnrUYm-0GtkoDTg7A2guDAip1M7NRIFL1-ZnT8SbszWXvmGQikav2ks5g4gfGgg/s1600/hhlogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzR6fYG6KNwG43H18scikLQtwL3ZZf5yzYCcJwPeFGjoIqbluvqWvzFIIkYXFYLezjFsULT2jnrUYm-0GtkoDTg7A2guDAip1M7NRIFL1-ZnT8SbszWXvmGQikav2ks5g4gfGgg/s1600/hhlogo.png" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<br />crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-83632823481023065082014-03-02T15:24:00.000+00:002014-03-02T15:24:42.060+00:00What's been happening at Hazlehurst Studios?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNsvsc2dWIokUEESXe5cdIIr7npe3bR0L74lzsa1Jq4kJDghLTH2Wt_mjkKyBCLxoWhNpxzCQK6IsuFEy-u6q-lV29eN7Y_Spt6q8Fk2DRq0rNcXArZLBTkai7aIojJoMAiYe6Q/s1600/fo2e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNsvsc2dWIokUEESXe5cdIIr7npe3bR0L74lzsa1Jq4kJDghLTH2Wt_mjkKyBCLxoWhNpxzCQK6IsuFEy-u6q-lV29eN7Y_Spt6q8Fk2DRq0rNcXArZLBTkai7aIojJoMAiYe6Q/s320/fo2e.jpg" /></a></div>
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Greetings Chums, Hope everyone is fair to middling out there in the aether? For those that don't know, I have been a wee bit ill the past month or so, and I am awaiting surgery next week! It was meant to be over and done with by now, but surgery got postponed due to unforeseen circumstances on the hospital side of things. It is nothing major from a surgical point of view, just whipping my gallbladder out. I will be blogging more about this, with doodles and everything! Just not really got back into the swing of things, whilst I am in this surgery limbo.</div>
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Luckily my fellow studio chums at <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/">Hazlehurst Studios</a> have been very busy with their own personal artwork, as well as some awesome workshops. It is so cool to see people come to the workshops and be creative, so I am being a bit of creative voyeur at the moment! For those that know me well, they know I am a bit of social media bore/whore, having loved blogging and its many micro platforms for rather a long time.</div>
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So whilst I am off my feet, so to speak, I am having a think about how the studios can utilise the wonderfully weird world of social media more effectively, so that more lovely people can find out about the place. An epic blog post on my findings is in the works, I can currently have a word document with 2000+ words and counting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuvOpYogWPhDeK53MOoKf6xOcr34jindF1_2nBtyesyuELDV28uBi8CHuPKOUKnpMLSee-6kQ_i9Jp5LjWg4XTT4rI8v3UYfQYXUZfXSHpJjkn0p4MAOKU9OVrsKr5Mq-6e0Ccw/s1600/Found+object+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuvOpYogWPhDeK53MOoKf6xOcr34jindF1_2nBtyesyuELDV28uBi8CHuPKOUKnpMLSee-6kQ_i9Jp5LjWg4XTT4rI8v3UYfQYXUZfXSHpJjkn0p4MAOKU9OVrsKr5Mq-6e0Ccw/s320/Found+object+Collage.jpg" /></a></div>
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Anyhoo, here are a few pictures from the various workshops over the past week or so.</div>
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Last week <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cathy-Rounthwaite-Artist/1391076364471258">Cathy </a>was running a screen printing workshop and here are some of the results. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgG_HjM0pc5UAx30JNpmy3Vbq9bgWV2-W5Jz8sdQYrcBwPKzwNW9x5vlR-Mr27FVLx61MVJzVE9CGetEj8kkZhwAepq4yZhNGb4CUHYtQE55NdnuLiD1cdkPfxf7p3DksXCMZWPw/s1600/screen+printing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgG_HjM0pc5UAx30JNpmy3Vbq9bgWV2-W5Jz8sdQYrcBwPKzwNW9x5vlR-Mr27FVLx61MVJzVE9CGetEj8kkZhwAepq4yZhNGb4CUHYtQE55NdnuLiD1cdkPfxf7p3DksXCMZWPw/s320/screen+printing.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUJLPAT2B7E/UxFGVlkyopI/AAAAAAAADMA/xbzc7i3ibPc/s1600/screenprinting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUJLPAT2B7E/UxFGVlkyopI/AAAAAAAADMA/xbzc7i3ibPc/s320/screenprinting.png" /></a></div>
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I had a lot of fun creating the pictures you can see, using the online editing sites <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/">Picmonkey</a> and <a href="http://www.fotor.com/">Fotor</a>. Two of the sites I will be mentioning in more detail when I am finish my social mdi shenanigans write-up.</div>
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The next image is the cumulation of workshops, screen printing with Cathy Rounthwaite and a sewing workshop with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maria-Tarn-Textile-Artist/475085319277928">Maria Tarn</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VytEUeEZCYY/UxFGWsuKtdI/AAAAAAAADMI/PGuaJK5azwQ/s1600/screentote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VytEUeEZCYY/UxFGWsuKtdI/AAAAAAAADMI/PGuaJK5azwQ/s320/screentote.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Textile group that produced the prints from found objects, at the beginning of this post, also produced this set of prints below. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Eg8UrfW-DY/UxFGaRYYpyI/AAAAAAAADMQ/qy0_OU97OPA/s1600/Years+Ahead+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Eg8UrfW-DY/UxFGaRYYpyI/AAAAAAAADMQ/qy0_OU97OPA/s320/Years+Ahead+.jpg" /></a></div>
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Not sure if it is just me, but I really want to learn more about printing and sewing! Imagine what I could do with my doodles?! Luckily my studio is in the right place, with the right people to ask.</div>
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More details about the workshops can be found on the <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/">website</a>, but whilst it is being tweaked, please also check:</div>
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<b>Facebook</b></div>
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Main Account: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HazlehurstCraftStudios">Hazlehurst Studios</a> </div>
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Daily Musings from the Artists: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HazlehurstArtists">Hazlehurst Artists </a></div>
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<b>Twitter</b></div>
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Main Account: <a href="https://twitter.com/HazlehurstCraft">@HazlehurstCraft</a></div>
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Daily Musings from the Artists: <a href="https://twitter.com/Studio_73a">@Studio_73a</a></div>
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<b>Bookwhen</b></div>
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Hazlehurst Studios Online Booking System: <a href="http://bookwhen.com/hazlehurst">Hazlehurst Studio Events</a> </div>
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Hopefully next time I am blogging, it will be without a pesky gallstone filled gallbladder.</div>
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Be ready for social media avalanche!</div>
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See you on the other side xxxx</div>
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crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com073 High Street, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 1AH, UK53.3413035 -2.734040300000060653.2654435 -2.8954018000000605 53.4171635 -2.5726788000000607tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-46380961439450442822014-02-21T22:49:00.001+00:002014-02-25T17:07:19.518+00:00A Masterclass in Crochet by Carys Anne Hughes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVITEKNuweq_eXQPP3V59zECTU_afOTET5XgElVCMgxBOvqT4akNueZZ_pjzKsbKpsbpYf3uhjOcFEpnZ4RTgQVVPxb6VeYgrZAW5qlACxAqVWlSj-wARbnqRUTUuSO_tjyTc-Q/s1600/caryscollage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVITEKNuweq_eXQPP3V59zECTU_afOTET5XgElVCMgxBOvqT4akNueZZ_pjzKsbKpsbpYf3uhjOcFEpnZ4RTgQVVPxb6VeYgrZAW5qlACxAqVWlSj-wARbnqRUTUuSO_tjyTc-Q/s320/caryscollage.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My lovely studio chum <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/artists/carys-anne-hughes">Carys Anne Hughes</a> is running a Crochet Masterclass at our studio home <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/">Hazlehurst Studios</a> on March the 15th</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d2382.1090828730457!2d-2.7340402999999998!3d53.341303499999995!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x487ae266c37599cb%3A0xa99fc64fb25ba6ad!2s73+High+St!5e0!3m2!1sen!2suk!4v1393015892006" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish I could say that I can crochet, but alas I cannot, not even one stitch! There was a time that I could knit, many many moons ago, under supervision from my Grandma, who can knit like a demon. So I am rather tempted to join the class myself and look like a total newbie idiot. I can't confirm my place just yet though, as my gallbladder is getting whipped out imminently, but that tale is for another day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLNaMP_SqF6nJPLchuLyxXUM4y0DygVchNE1L1WerWQkqOBpQauSOKeU9TVexNe6wLaEN_ZYgNl9Xht1uYKNt0lkc8PN0JCp6N_b7JO_ShkyEgBG_0aXhL3arhHXG1re7iY_5QA/s1600/collage1withwords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLNaMP_SqF6nJPLchuLyxXUM4y0DygVchNE1L1WerWQkqOBpQauSOKeU9TVexNe6wLaEN_ZYgNl9Xht1uYKNt0lkc8PN0JCp6N_b7JO_ShkyEgBG_0aXhL3arhHXG1re7iY_5QA/s320/collage1withwords.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Day will start with learning all about all crocheting, an<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">intro into basic stitches with detailed information sheets for you to keep as well as tips on hook sizes, wool recommendations, English/ American differences and easy to follow instructions. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Chain Stitch, double stitch, half trebles and all that kind of thing.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZ7qH6gZoPc/Uwe54xsGYnI/AAAAAAAADKg/si9-6pMibLI/s1600/crochetcarys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZ7qH6gZoPc/Uwe54xsGYnI/AAAAAAAADKg/si9-6pMibLI/s320/crochetcarys.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the morning session you will make a: <span style="background-color: white;">simple flower washcloth in cotton.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the afternoon session you will make a: <span style="background-color: white;">granny square trivet</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will also have a goodie bag of things to take away with you, this will include: <span style="background-color: white;">patterns, hook and wool to keep you going with your new skills when you get home</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-Jn7PxqM98/Uwe5s1-UYqI/AAAAAAAADKQ/erD6AOaPs60/s1600/crochety.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-Jn7PxqM98/Uwe5s1-UYqI/AAAAAAAADKQ/erD6AOaPs60/s320/crochety.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what do you<b> need </b>to know?</span></u></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Date: 15th March 2014</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time: 10am - 3pm</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Location: <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/">Hazlehurst Studios</a> (There are stairs up to this, which may be an issue for some)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cost: £25</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Contact: Email Carys <a href="mailto:carysanne@hotmail.com">carysanne@hotmail.com</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To Book: Visit <a href="https://bookwhen.com/hazlehurst">https://bookwhen.com/hazlehurst</a></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcJ80qMzgKYOctogdjBft0-Kb9vkfgi3Q9odMfd23DGTkz87hAhSofosN6l1dqRAzG4f9pjazt8MwRqpbJK3wyo193B2c-DTiRI8wqqZ8b5ZxgpWe7BD33mAZVtjLw3bL6CikWA/s1600/Final+version+of+photo+flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcJ80qMzgKYOctogdjBft0-Kb9vkfgi3Q9odMfd23DGTkz87hAhSofosN6l1dqRAzG4f9pjazt8MwRqpbJK3wyo193B2c-DTiRI8wqqZ8b5ZxgpWe7BD33mAZVtjLw3bL6CikWA/s320/Final+version+of+photo+flyer.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of the information that you should need, is on this leaflet, if you have any questions, either contact Carys, or I am more than happy to pass on enquiries and get back to you. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFEejXBoPwZuQ7vWpRlWb68aV9j4yQqwPuEumRlMIyw7qRYKJDQy81IIgVRzP_kK8E2pIj07yTd7iXPW4guonJLyu8GKZgTXegFRARX1DmeacG0TwUZgBrL7a8qtbIggfcNvYsQ/s1600/flyerish7+FINAL+MAIN+ONE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFEejXBoPwZuQ7vWpRlWb68aV9j4yQqwPuEumRlMIyw7qRYKJDQy81IIgVRzP_kK8E2pIj07yTd7iXPW4guonJLyu8GKZgTXegFRARX1DmeacG0TwUZgBrL7a8qtbIggfcNvYsQ/s320/flyerish7+FINAL+MAIN+ONE.png" height="400" width="281" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS: I don't know why, but Granny Square Trivets, as a term, just makes me laugh. Although if anyone wants to make a blanket, please do! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuiMQb2dLkU/Uwe6DYrIHvI/AAAAAAAADKw/2M41NSZwsSs/s1600/gst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuiMQb2dLkU/Uwe6DYrIHvI/AAAAAAAADKw/2M41NSZwsSs/s320/gst.jpg" /></span></a></div>
crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com073 High Street, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 1AH, UK53.3413035 -2.734040300000060627.819269000000002 -44.04263430000006 78.863338 38.574553699999939tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-47144767066015424932014-01-20T21:52:00.000+00:002014-01-20T21:52:29.988+00:00Piece-of-piss - Twas lurking in the 'drafts' <div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4QNVB8wUstc5-C3Af7qmJgOYi0kpIyotB363Glp2xuXeuY23TFWnMWdY5S6fj2LWbNlxUwUaX75sq2M61MVVx0EsYxilnjbJPntqOjbLFlbDiYAy3A9hn3PA6HVn1yzae8zyow/s1600/Bert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4QNVB8wUstc5-C3Af7qmJgOYi0kpIyotB363Glp2xuXeuY23TFWnMWdY5S6fj2LWbNlxUwUaX75sq2M61MVVx0EsYxilnjbJPntqOjbLFlbDiYAy3A9hn3PA6HVn1yzae8zyow/s1600/Bert.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A long while back, I wrote a post about the <a href="http://crpitt.blogspot.com/search/label/mum">mumborg</a> entitled<a href="http://crpitt.blogspot.com/2008/06/taking-piss-literally.html"> 'Taking the piss! literally'</a> but it could have only be taken literally, if you knew what I meant in the non literal sense. If that even makes sense?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I have friends from all around the globe, thanks to blogging, so they are usually the victims of my creative license, especially when it comes to 'British Slang'. I like to throw words at them, that can mean many many different things. To be honest though, it is generally myself that ends up being confused.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For some reason, the words that are the most fun, are the ones that are slightly rude or naughty, so I don't know what that says about my friends or in fact myself...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please don't continue reading if you are easily offended, suffer from a lack of a sense of humour or are miserable in general. There will be no apologies, for the kind of language that I use in the written form. Swearing or 'Cursing' is the not the lowest form communication, check out facebook or your text messages for that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Word of the Day is.... <b>Piss</b>. </span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All things 'Piss' </span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;">Middle English </span><tt style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt;">pissen</tt><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;">, from Old French </span><tt style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt;">pissier</tt><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;">, from Vulgar Latin </span><tt style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt;">pissiare</tt></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That would be urine, the yellow stuff.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a piss</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That would be, to urinate.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going for a piss</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That would be, going off to urinate somewhere, hopefully in an actual toilet/urinal.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the Piss</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whoop!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> You are out for a few bevvies, probably more than a few. (Bevvies = alcoholic beverages).</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss-up</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drinking session: Usually this is used when one is celebrating something, like a birthday i.e. So and so's 30th is going to be a right piss up... or to reward yourself for making it through the day.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pissed</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This when you are drunk, not tiddly, but totally sloshed.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pissed (part two)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the ponders use this expression for anger, funny Americans.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pissed yourself</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am afraid you have wet yourself, probably due to being pissed.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pissed your pants</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guess what? You have wet your pants. That could be anything from your knickers to your trousers. You have done this because you have laughed so much that you P.I.M.P (pissed in my pants, well not my pants, your pants!).</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss off</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someone needs to get away from you and fast! They have annoyed or angered you.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pissed off</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are angry, very angry. HULK SMASH!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pissed someone off</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Uh oh! What did you do? You have angered someone muchly.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take the piss</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To make fun of someone, normally in a sarcastic manner.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Takes the piss</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someone is taking liberties mate, totally unreasonable behaviour.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taking the piss </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are still making fun of someone, in a sarcastic like way.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss-take</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Same as take and taking of the piss, just with the words swapped around.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pissing down</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is raining, raining hard. You have severely regretted not bringing that umbrella with you.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss-head</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have been pissed too many times, you are drunk (n.) and possibly an alcoholic </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss artist</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Same as a Piss Head, but said in a slightly more polite manner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or a Billy Bullshitter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or someone that frequently takes the piss.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pissing oneself</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Laughing very hard, or in fact wetting yourself, or both.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pissing in the wind</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well you might actually be pissing in the wind, which sounds rather messy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More likely you are doing something even more fruitless and useless than that.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss easy</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something is very easy </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piece of piss</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apparently this comes from the phrase a 'Piece of Cake' albeit a vulgar version of it. Which means something was very easy to do.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss All Over</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pfffffft! You think that is good? Look at this! I piss all over that. You are bragging about something or other. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss Away</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You just had something and now you have wasted it, whether it was a pot of cash or something else.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss around</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wasting time and taking your time about it. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss about</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Same as around, but using the word 'about' instead.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss Poor</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You really should have made more of an effort, because what you have done so far is bloody piss poor.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piss Flaps</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is probably the naughtiest one in the the 'Piss' family, it refers to lady bits. Although I have only ever used it when cursing at someone annoying. Instead of saying 'Phooey', I might instead say 'Piss Flaps'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is not the first time I have attempted to explain 'British Slang', emphasis on the attempted. Just in case you missed the epic '<a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2008/06/i-am-going-to-confuse-pants-off-you.html">Pants</a>' post, you can find it here <a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2008/06/i-am-going-to-confuse-pants-off-you.html">PANTS</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you haven't realised it yet, I am a very silly person at times and I most definitely like to take the piss. Some may think that it is vulgar, but to that, I say PISS FLAPS. I made myself laugh a LOT whilst writing this post and that is what counts, well for me anyways. Sometimes life is ridiculous at times, both horribly and funnily, so naughty words alleviate some of that. Which basically means get over yourself or piss off. I have had this post saved in my 'drafts' section,for about five years or so and have only just rediscovered it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you looked in your 'Draft' folders lately? I found some very odd blog post titles in there, most I haven't got a clue about. Yes, even odder than this one! </span></div>
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crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-30769675594811961332013-08-20T18:32:00.001+01:002013-08-21T01:42:49.004+01:00An interview with The Write Sprite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXaHy8HH7xUkzovjyqa28xu5BAtm2CALowKRG8-05o8SyYRFy_3TkRufRd-7BQNhHuUJPjl0MjS7gUslGnkHZ8jvEWvWqvMIjFmc0p21OOCg1xyAOxGWsQwxkBW_5KDI1u6zR0Q/s1600/TWSBan1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXaHy8HH7xUkzovjyqa28xu5BAtm2CALowKRG8-05o8SyYRFy_3TkRufRd-7BQNhHuUJPjl0MjS7gUslGnkHZ8jvEWvWqvMIjFmc0p21OOCg1xyAOxGWsQwxkBW_5KDI1u6zR0Q/s320/TWSBan1.png" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having previously interviewed some local businesses, that have been initially supported by <a href="http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/">The Prince's Trust</a>, I have decided to branch out and look at other local (and maybe not local) folk, that are working hard in the world of self employment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those initial interviews can be perused here:</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interview with Tile Fire - Check it out <a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/05/interview-with-tile-fire.html">HERE</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interview with AJ Media - Check it out <a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/06/interview-with-aj-media.html">HERE</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interview with Vanilla Retro Stationery - Check it out</span><a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/06/interview-with-vanillaretro-stationery.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> HERE </a></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My next victim is... <a href="http://www.thewritesprite.co.uk/">The Write Sprite</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Who are you?</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m Beth and I run </span><a href="http://www.thewritesprite.co.uk/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Write Sprite </a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">– a teeny tiny copywriting agency that consists of just me! </span></div>
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<b>What are you? </b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
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I always find this one hard – I suppose I class as a business service although I sometimes fall into the media category. Without a drop down box to click the right answer I’m not very sure (sound professional don’t I!?)</div>
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<b>Where are you? </b></div>
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I work from home in Liverpool although I am planning a move. My website/promotion is all geared to being a Liverpool copywriter though so I may still consider Liverpool my workplace if I move. I have clients from all over the world so I don’t suppose my location is as important as some other people’s are.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Best thing about working at home/being self employed?</b></span></div>
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I am in control of my own time, to a point. If I want to say no, I can. If I was working for someone else and my boss told me to do something saying no would be much harder!</div>
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<b>Worst thing about working at home/being self employed?</b></div>
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I am in control of my own time, to a point, and I never say no! I haven’t quite mastered time management yet – I’m always snowed under which is great for profits but no great for seeing my partner and children!</div>
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<b>Any advice for budding entrepreneurs/those striving towards self employment?</b></div>
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Take it slowly and do your research. I would never have imagined when I started up that I’d need 30+ hours a week to do my job adequately. Think about what you want from self-employment too. I’d also say you need to be accountable to someone as without a boss there are times you’ll find motivation hard – find another self-employed person (or a small network) and check in with them regularly – it’ll give you a sense of having a colleague which really matters! Mine’s an awesome fellow Twitter fanatic who keeps me going!</div>
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<b>Where can we stalk you online?</b></div>
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My website is here: <a href="http://www.thewritesprite.co.uk/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.thewritesprite.co.uk</a> and I’m on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/thewritesprite">@thewritesprite</a> and Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thewritesprite" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/<wbr>thewritesprite</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Screenshot of <a href="http://www.thewritesprite.co.uk/">The Write Sprite's Website</a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the simplicity of Beth's website, it still manages to look pretty, whilst being very easy to navigate. I also like the fact that Beth is very open and honest about her services and prices, which is refreshing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In regards to her words of wisdom, I am very much in agreement! Time management is something that I struggle with, as it is VERY hard to switch off when you are self employed. There is usually no leaving your work behind, as it is usually with you, wherever you go. So it takes time and discipline to truly switch off. I also agree with Beth in terms of looking for colleagues, just because you work alone, doesn't mean you have to isolate yourself. Before I moved to the studio, I relied heavily on my twitter and facebook peeps to keep me motivated during the witching hours. I think I will always look to the people that lurk in the social media world for motivation and inspiration, as we seem to be on the same wavelength. I am also loving the interaction with real life creative people too, so will be looking into other networking opportunities, something that I know Beth has been doing too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks so much for answering my questions Beth! </span></div>
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crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-53765192291096194172013-08-13T16:48:00.000+01:002013-08-13T17:27:09.547+01:00Technology Wishlist <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am settling into the world of no computer at home and all the blogging/doodling stuff now takes place in the<a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/08/sorry-this-business-has-moved.html"> studio</a>. Hopefully you read the<a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/08/sorry-this-business-has-moved.html"> post </a>on that? If not, I now have my <a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/08/sorry-this-business-has-moved.html">own studio space</a>, in which to be creative and do a LOT of people watching (I can't help myself). I am also an expert at wandering to the kitchen area and making coffee, in which I dunk ginger nuts (the biscuit kind).</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7l8fBfw0lU4/UgpSrpWlDzI/AAAAAAAAC6E/uMKpPXczHsk/s1600/studio+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7l8fBfw0lU4/UgpSrpWlDzI/AAAAAAAAC6E/uMKpPXczHsk/s320/studio+progress.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have created a wishlist on Amazon for all my studio wants/needs and quite a few technology bits and bobs have crept onto that list <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/registry/wishlist/27SG2OMO2TBKV">Amazon Wishlist </a> (you can buy me things if you like).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Top of the technology wishlist are: Printer, Scanner, Speakers, wireless headphones and some sort of tablet device.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Printer</b>: To print things, obviously. I need a good work horse of a printer, which will print off general admin stuff, invoice etc. I also need something that will print designs, templates and other reference like things, which I need to be creative. So I have literally spend hours and hours looking into printers, coming to the conclusion that I probably need two different ones AND I will also have to outsource things for my printing needs too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Scanner</b>: To edit doodles and turn them into digital versions, you can take amazing photographs with a DSLR or decent point/shoot camera, but scanning them is also a good option. Also very handy when you want to spend hours looking through family photographs and scanning them for posterity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Speakers</b>: I have updated my desktop computer a few times now, but not the speakers and they are beginning to show their age, feedback and general screeching/crying/fuzziness, until I twiddle a few knobs. So I definitely need to update these beasts soon!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZK3UfTOsg5KvtAM-WqWbZB7rIcxPSlsgOjG6q5jrKQM39saROkZF64HHjeR2dVXDYnmUz4d2dBuZ-4nyaoLz6PAvUZM6wl_qooBIvAuBW2hFfKUnD4v3uFahdS3bXS21ZUsxZg/s1600/hp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZK3UfTOsg5KvtAM-WqWbZB7rIcxPSlsgOjG6q5jrKQM39saROkZF64HHjeR2dVXDYnmUz4d2dBuZ-4nyaoLz6PAvUZM6wl_qooBIvAuBW2hFfKUnD4v3uFahdS3bXS21ZUsxZg/s320/hp.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Headphones:</b> I occasionally use headphones, well the in ear ones, like <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/Headphones/In+Ear+Headphones/RP-HV094/Overview/2388194/index.html">Panasonic in ear headphones</a> w</span>hen I am travelling about on the bus or walking around, or staying up late painting. Now that I am in the studio my headphone needs have changed a lot and what I really want are some noise cancelling and/or wireless babies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For use in the studio, so that I can wander around the studio, desk to desk, whilst listening to music/radio or a film. Especially on the days when I really need to get cracking on a project and I don't want to disturb the other studio dwellers by blasting out music. I would not whizz back and forth on my computer chair, doing weird chair dance moves*</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*I totally would</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Tablet device or something portable: </b>Now that the desktop computer is at the studio, I am left without a computer at home. Luckily I have a smarter than myself phone, but I definitely need something to bridge the gap. I also want something for client meetings, to show portfolio of work whilst we chat about all things <a href="http://www.thedoodologist.com/">doodly</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crpitt/5926990845/" title="Snap ye fingers off! by crpitt, on Flickr"><img alt="Snap ye fingers off!" height="267" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6001/5926990845_0e3f2b527e.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't even get me started on cameras! Luckily the iphone 4s has a cracking camera with it and I also have access to my dad's Nikon (used to take flowery pic above), but I really need a camera or two of my own. A trusty pocket sized one and a more substantial DSLR for my arty farty needs, as I would to get creative with my photography once more. Have you ever thought about how much the camera has evolved over the years?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWM8oc0ZxET9vrhOtMQuSEiGyR_nZYKUYn1Z6Atw0R2wRptr7In4966o8rF_3ZzqjiI2Jv8HFcOf03MxCAsTfrQ2bolI5QhuiflDdaORZbjo_vk2C62KtvIqad2vTRd7pempP-A/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWM8oc0ZxET9vrhOtMQuSEiGyR_nZYKUYn1Z6Atw0R2wRptr7In4966o8rF_3ZzqjiI2Jv8HFcOf03MxCAsTfrQ2bolI5QhuiflDdaORZbjo_vk2C62KtvIqad2vTRd7pempP-A/s400/4.png" width="131" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the coming months I will hopefully be updating you, as I cross off things from my wishlist. If you have any favourite bits of kit to recommend, please do leave a comment!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Somewhat sponsored, more of a gentle nudge towards a technology like theme.</span></i></div>
crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-70180691863465954862013-08-12T19:05:00.000+01:002013-08-12T19:05:26.496+01:00Dribbling By Royal Appointment <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just over a week ago, my family and I celebrated my nephews naming day, twas a lovely day, filled with family, friends, cake and the odd clown wig. A naming day is non religious ceremony/party that welcomes the wee fella into the world/family or something like that anyways. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wuMDtrbgUs/UgkfvmJUUdI/AAAAAAAAC30/kDtH_r5UFis/s1600/Naming+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wuMDtrbgUs/UgkfvmJUUdI/AAAAAAAAC30/kDtH_r5UFis/s320/Naming+Day.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(majority of photographs taken by super talented sister Jemma)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The poor sod has me as a mentor, you can peruse my promise to him in the image below. In case you are wondering, a mentor is just like a godparent, without the god stuff. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T-hwKAeZxC8/UgkgQJjtTdI/AAAAAAAAC4A/Ctoegj8WZtM/s1600/Alden+promise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T-hwKAeZxC8/UgkgQJjtTdI/AAAAAAAAC4A/Ctoegj8WZtM/s320/Alden+promise.jpg" width="253" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poor wee fella has been suffering terribly with eczema, but even with his poor itchy,scratchy wee face, he was still full of smiles and laughter. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-61fAupPsupM/Ugkg0PnsROI/AAAAAAAAC4I/lA8l8H7AfKw/s1600/alden+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-61fAupPsupM/Ugkg0PnsROI/AAAAAAAAC4I/lA8l8H7AfKw/s320/alden+face.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had intended for Alden to wear his marvellous <a href="http://funkygiraffebibs.co.uk/info/shop-13">Giraffe Baby Bibs </a>on his naming day, but his face/neck was just too bad. So a few days later, whilst back in the Highlands and after some super duper steroid cream, he was finally ready for his photo shoot!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYc6A5JLHiOcLUkDe1_9aGEzo6BzSIRTvM4K5kGyk7NnCbl21cf1F8RwnZ2eKSJjbIcmTmTg7jK-0Tmgths0yv3kDiRReJ5Sj0MZp2bg0bUiYnR8p_2-N3aoF6h_XTypvK69rsAA/s1600/Alden+Bibs+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYc6A5JLHiOcLUkDe1_9aGEzo6BzSIRTvM4K5kGyk7NnCbl21cf1F8RwnZ2eKSJjbIcmTmTg7jK-0Tmgths0yv3kDiRReJ5Sj0MZp2bg0bUiYnR8p_2-N3aoF6h_XTypvK69rsAA/s400/Alden+Bibs+wm.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photographs taken by super talented sister Heather</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doesn't he look particularly awesome?! He even has his wee kilt on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Review from Alden: They make me look even better than I already do!</span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHaI_zCZxnw/UgkfX_9RozI/AAAAAAAAC3s/O4VgoPoRfCA/s1600/dribbly.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHaI_zCZxnw/UgkfX_9RozI/AAAAAAAAC3s/O4VgoPoRfCA/s320/dribbly.png" width="294" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Review from Alden's Mummy: They keep Alden nice and dry from dribble, but are not too tight around the neck. Which would be a concern, especially with his recent eczema flare up.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have mentioned Funky Giraffe in a previous <a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/04/alden-and-funky-giraffe.html">post</a>, yet again this product was very well made, from the stitching to the quality of the royal motif. As well as this 'Royal' theme, there are tons of lovely designs and colours, that will match any outfit that your child may have.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where to find your very own Funky Giraffe merchandise?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/funkygiraffebaby">Funky Giraffe Baby </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twitter -<a href="https://twitter.com/FunkyGiraffebib"> FunkyGiraffeBibs</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Website - <a href="http://funkygiraffebibs.co.uk/">Funky Giraffe</a></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of this post may have been slightly sponsored by the fact that I got the bibs free from Funky Giraffe, BUT I genuinely love their stuff and I love blogging about my nephew, he is a wee cracker. Free stuff is always good, I am shallow like that, but NOT all free stuff. </span></i></div>
crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-71564170411067477712013-08-10T21:43:00.000+01:002013-08-11T01:39:38.426+01:00Sorry this business has moved<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally blogging about the news that I have been alluding to in the last few blog posts, which nobody picked up on, apart from me. Which is probably down to the fact that I blog in an exceptionally haphazard like manner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soooooo, what is the news? I got a studio space for my arty farty crafty needs!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got the keys to the new place a few weeks ago, but mum came out of hospital and then the studio needed new central heating installed, so delayed moving into the place for a wee while. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WETn_ETNMFw/UgaaUX02kpI/AAAAAAAAC2k/Dxa_3Bf9Bxk/s1600/keys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WETn_ETNMFw/UgaaUX02kpI/AAAAAAAAC2k/Dxa_3Bf9Bxk/s320/keys.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also had a LOT of stuff to sort out, stock take and all that fun stuff, which was super time consuming, as well as finishing off my last commissions at home. Tis definitely weird thinking that those doodles were the last things to be done in the doodle cave aka my room at home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyhoo the new studio is at <a href="http://www.hazlehurststudios.co.uk/">Hazlehurst Studios</a>, where lots of other arty farty people dwell and I will be blogging about those talented people in the near future. I had heard of the studios setting up, but wasn't sure that they had any spaces free, so on a whim I emailed them. Soon I found myself on the short bus ride over and fell in love with the place. At home I was in serious danger of being crushed by buttons and other various bits and bobs, so something had to give!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Behold the first video I made, just after I got the keys (warning it may make you feel a bit seasick)</span></div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="310" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/byFMk-wN1-/embed/" width="212"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bet you feel sick now? I am a terrible film maker. Luckily whilst my sister was visiting from Germany, she gave me a hand with the moving of boxes.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ofnq2c--N1s/UgaiDqqA3uI/AAAAAAAAC3E/zIZR3TecA50/s1600/photo+(26).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ofnq2c--N1s/UgaiDqqA3uI/AAAAAAAAC3E/zIZR3TecA50/s400/photo+(26).JPG" width="400"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the studio quickly started to take shape and I have found a home for most of the things that I had hidden away in towers of craft doom at home.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNwVYfRc9U0/UgaiqSUfUNI/AAAAAAAAC3M/Po5SDuo5r2o/s1600/studio+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNwVYfRc9U0/UgaiqSUfUNI/AAAAAAAAC3M/Po5SDuo5r2o/s400/studio+progress.jpg" width="400"></span></a></div>
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Planning a studio warming in the very near future, which will most likely be the 7/8th September, as those dates coincide with Hazlehurst Studios being open for a year. Hopefully some of you folks will pop down to have a nosey, meet myself and some of the other arty folks. </div>
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In the meantime don't forget to follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheDoodologist">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/thedoodologist">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDoodologist">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/105745338714109379095/105745338714109379095/posts">G+</a> </div>
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crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-86818956941117399612013-07-18T18:48:00.002+01:002013-07-18T18:58:51.614+01:00Latest wiffle <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings Chums, sorry I have been a bit absent, I went off to Hamburg, Germany for a while to visit with family and brought back a lovely bout of flu/weird cough/killer bee and allergy combination, which has been fun. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1klf17WlZaYBxi2ZhCc35vrJChGIGobBMaLENCw9DJmCKed8ZTYv68hr1rAyfjWJmeU5gkSxFTeQSx3LOB6-25jjAGkh-ywq9D-F2bZXOUtcs6vGrEwhT3Q1bZG20Mz28AarwPA/s1600/Pl%C3%B6n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1klf17WlZaYBxi2ZhCc35vrJChGIGobBMaLENCw9DJmCKed8ZTYv68hr1rAyfjWJmeU5gkSxFTeQSx3LOB6-25jjAGkh-ywq9D-F2bZXOUtcs6vGrEwhT3Q1bZG20Mz28AarwPA/s320/Pl%C3%B6n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.crpitt.com/search/label/mum">Mumborg</a> News:</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Mumborg is currently still being held hostage at the local hospital, waiting on a super cushion that has been made especially for her arse, which should in turn help with current and future pressure sores. The arse like area has been pressure mapped, which involved a lot of people having to cop a feel, this will then be used to create the perfect cushion. Still a lot of bed rest on the cards, but things are looking much better! </span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moving On....</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you check out the interviews I did with these guys? Creative locals that have been initially supported by The Prince's Trust </span></div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Interview with Tile Fire - Check it out <a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/05/interview-with-tile-fire.html">HERE</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Interview with AJ Media - Check it out <a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/06/interview-with-aj-media.html">HERE</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Interview with Vanilla Retro Stationery - Check it out<a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/06/interview-with-vanillaretro-stationery.html"> HERE </a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is lots of cool advice for people that are self employed, or for those that are thinking of heading in that direction. Do check them out, when you get a chance.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recent 'The Doodologist' news...</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got myself a studio space! Wooo and indeed Hoooooooooooooo, so exciting and I will be blogging a LOT more about this in the coming weeks. I just have to finish one more commission here at the original doodle cave, before I pack up and move my stuff over. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4spozzB-4iI/UegnVJYZxcI/AAAAAAAAC00/8MHqFIKfo9M/s1600/studio+fbed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4spozzB-4iI/UegnVJYZxcI/AAAAAAAAC00/8MHqFIKfo9M/s400/studio+fbed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is a link to my studio shopping list ..... <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/registry/wishlist/27SG2OMO2TBKV">Wish List </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Latest Commission: </i>more over on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheDoodologist">The Doodologist </a></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iW_CjhQuXSw/Uegn99Hvn3I/AAAAAAAAC08/iXCtUBoiASU/s1600/cw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iW_CjhQuXSw/Uegn99Hvn3I/AAAAAAAAC08/iXCtUBoiASU/s320/cw1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So endeth this newsletter style blog post, with lots more to come. </span></div>
crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-17494373340514525262013-06-14T18:44:00.001+01:002013-06-14T18:53:00.152+01:00Interview with VanillaRetro Stationery <div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings! Welcome to the third instalment of my interview series, focusing on creative businesses that have been helped out by <a href="http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/">The Prince's Trust</a>. I may venture out into interviewing/highlighting other businesses too, but for the time being I am focusing on those that have been helped out by <a href="http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/">The Prince's Trust</a> (like myself). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My next victim is ............ <b>Vanilla Retro Stationery</b> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/VanillaRetro?ref=ss_profile" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YAFN4sKPWK8/UbnBgPKhkZI/AAAAAAAACzI/aM87pvjYums/s400/577928_437437943009198_1734549753_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Who are you? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm Michelle, aka Vanilla Retro Stationery: Stay-at-home-Mum and entrepreneur</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>What are you? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My main business is designing Wedding Stationery – this the primary focus of my
online shop at least. I love to create quirky, retro inspired designs to really
make designs “pop” , offering the customised designs as printables (a great
solution for those on a tight budget – simply print at home on a desktop
printer) or as quality printed pieces.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">But
I also design Funeral Stationery (programs and keepsakes) and engage in a
little graphic design and social network branding for local businesses. In
fact, I’ll pretty much turn my hand to most graphic type things… I'm just
happiest doodling away!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/VanillaRetro" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6BhOHCczmFM/UbtQYbJfwiI/AAAAAAAACzw/JMax3irvDjU/s320/Peony+Invite.jpg" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><b>Where are you?</b></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I work from home and am based just across the Mersey from Liverpool, on the
lovely rural Wirral Peninsula. But my business really lives on the internet, on
the online marketplace, Etsy. Whenever I tell people this, I generally receive
blank looks in return, so I will explain a little: Etsy is an American founded
marketplace, similar to Ebay and Amazon. Though Ebay works mainly as an auction
site, Etsy allows each Shop to create their own online store, where all your
products can be found and categorised and you have the facility to create your
online brand. It’s a brilliant venue for small start-up businesses who
specialise in vintage or homemade items, and has traffic from all over the
globe. </span></span></div>
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</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/VanillaRetro" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMz_72D-uRvKJSC5oJd_1lcTCmI0oC6rG-PA9GxVbd0Vv9Tv0MKpWnbd_R8T6FD0LvCYynsh9sZHimr_NOTdcmdMevEdbUcp9YCTbiWTJX-UAdIGPcFZHy1OBcUzoQnGUfgRBgg/s320/Mountain+Invite.jpg" /></a> </span></span></div>
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</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Best thing about working with the
Prince’s Trust?</b></div>
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I
think people expect to say the money, which as helpful as it is, it would be
nothing without the help and support you get from working with the Trust. My
business mentor has been volunteering for the trust for 20 years, and genuinely
loves helping young people achieve their goals and dreams. For me, the best
part of working with the Prince’s Trust was putting me in touch with my mentor
and in turn, allowing me access to all his contacts. It was because of my
mentor that I was able to strike up connections with other small businesses and
start offering my graphic design services to them, and it was his
recommendation which really gave me the lift I needed. I know I can prove
myself when given the opportunity, but getting your foot in the door is the
hardest part: the Prince’s Trust held the door wide open for me.</div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Any advice for budding
entrepreneurs/those striving towards self employment?</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do
it – you’ll never look back! Self-employment is not for everyone – it can be a
lonely existence. No after work drinks for me, unless my two year old daughter
fancies having a teddy bear tea party and wants me to join in! But honestly, if you've felt under appreciated, undervalued and generally trodden on by your
boss, there is nothing more satisfying than handing in your notice and going it
alone – especially when you start making money in your business. My best
advice? I have three tips…</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">It does not happen overnight
– I cannot stress that enough – and you really need to give yourself realistic
expectations. If you go in expecting to break even, and you make a tiny profit
by the end of the month, you’ll be delighted. If you expect to be making the
same as your 9-5 job from day 1 – you’re in for a rude awakening!</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Make the bits you hate doing
the first priority of your day. I’m awful, just awful, and maths, so doing my
accounts was the most daunting thing for me. Numbers are not my friend. But,
when doing my sales record and my expenses, my accounting became quite easy and
I now actually enjoy it… Ok, that was a lie, but I do enjoy seeing the money
tally up. You can sometimes be under the impression that you’ve been doing
really well as you’ve been really busy, but unless you keep an eye on your
expenses you could just be a busy fool.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Don’t waste your money on
marketing and branding. Take advantage of the free channels available to you –
your friends and family can be a great resource to help spread the word of your
business. Facebook and twitter can be a fantastic way to keep people informed,
as long as you vary your content and don’t bombard your followers with constant
sale pitches. Show them your work; show them the process; show them amusing
things happening at work, show them things which they will be interested in</span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=36805245" name="_GoBack" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">. Make it </span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">personal</i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">;
engage with your followers on a personal level– make your business about you
and take every opportunity to inform people about what you do.</span></li>
</ol>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/VanillaRetro" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yA1HCyaUefc/UbtQA7XxvmI/AAAAAAAACzs/PUbXkZ2nCBQ/s320/Popcorn+Boxes.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b>Social Media Hangouts</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Etsy Shop: <a href="http://www%2C.vanillaretro.etsy.com/">www,.vanillaretro.etsy.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/vanillaretro"> www.facebook.com/vanillaretro</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blog: <a href="http://vanillaretro.blogspot.co.uk/">VanillaRetro Blog</a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really loved some of the advice Michelle has offered in this post, it has definitely resonated with me. I haven't met Michelle in real life (yet), but doing blog posts like this has enabled me to connect with people in similar situations to myself. It is bloody hard work to network, especially when you are a one man band. Michelle, thanks so much for taking the time to answer the questions and share a bit of your journey. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Interview Victims so far</b>:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/05/interview-with-tile-fire.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tile Fire</span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/06/interview-with-aj-media.html">AJ Media</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Vanilla Retro Stationery </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please DO check out the other interviews, like/follow/worship their various social media hangouts, ask questions, show support! I know it would mean a lot to each of them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sidenote</b>: I installed the G+ comment system for a while, but it just wasn't working out for me. Since removing it, it has rudely wiped out not only all the lovely G+ comments that were showing on the posts, but also old blogger style comments from older blog posts! How very bloody rude indeed. SO if you did previously comment on any posts and wondered why the comments have vamoosed, that is why! </span></div>
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crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-65526145726939315132013-06-08T17:39:00.001+01:002013-06-14T19:20:41.624+01:00Interview with AJ Media <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to the second of the interviews, in my series of introducing creative businesses supported by <a href="http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/">The Prince Trust</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My next interview victim, is<a href="http://www.ajmediaproductions.com/"> AJ Media</a>, whom I happen to actually know in real life, as we did part of the <a href="http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/enterprise_programme.aspx">Enterprise Programme</a> together. It has been really cool to see how his business has developed over the past year or so. Anthony had a much more developed idea, than I did, when he approached The Prince's Trust for help, so it has been interesting to see how the enterprise programme adapts and caters for everybody in a different way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Without further ado........................... <a href="http://www.ajmediaproductions.com/">AJ Media</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbxBev6puKw/UbNXjnLOTHI/AAAAAAAACyk/TnTa1yoYqAg/s1600/AJ+Media+Logo+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbxBev6puKw/UbNXjnLOTHI/AAAAAAAACyk/TnTa1yoYqAg/s200/AJ+Media+Logo+(2).jpg" width="156" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who are you?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My name is Anthony Jones and I run AJ Media, Its just me myself and I!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are you?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AJ Media is a video production business, I make everything from corporate and health and safety videos, to live shows and motion graphics.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where are you? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am based in Widnes and I operate at home, I am currently looking to get my own premise to expand the business. At the moment I mostly operate from my website AJ Media Productions</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best thing about working with the Prince’s Trust?</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really, if it wasn't for The Prince's Trust there would be no AJ Media.
All I had was the idea to go self employed. I had gone to the job centre, and they told me I had to apply for the head of Administration at Liverpool Hope University, based on the fact that I had done some admin for a few months. That was the moment that I realised that as much as the job Centre is there to help you, they are really just trying to hit targets rather than get a job because there was no way on earth that I could do that job.
After that it spurred me on to look into self employment, I knew I could do this as a profession, most people will volunteer hoping to get a job, but looking at the companies out there I knew that job would never appear so it was best to try and make a living from it.
The self employment course was fantastic, it helped me look at my skills more as a business and how I could really make a go of this. It also helped with networking skills and having a business mentor was great to help start the business, I needed guidance and I got it, plain and simple!
With that I have been able to turn what was a passion into a living, this year so far has been my best to date, in fact May was the best month I have ever recorded as a business and June is looking good too!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any advice for budding entrepreneurs?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think if you have an idea, and you believe in it, then my advice is to go for it! You never know what could happen.
I think rather than me just say the generic things, the best advice would be two quotes from Jim Valvano, who was an American Basketball Coach, until he sadly passed away, after a fight with cancer many years ago. This first quote I think sums up the feelings when starting up:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 'No matter what business you're in, you can't run in place or someone will pass you by. It doesn't matter how many games you've won.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second, sums up the mentality you have to have:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 'Don't give up. Don't ever give up.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (Check out Widnes Food bank on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WidnesFoodbank?fref=ts">Facebook </a>and <a href="http://widnes.foodbank.org.uk/">their website</a>)
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Thanks ever so much for playing along Anthony!</i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Social Media Hangouts for AJ Media:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ajmediaproductions">AJ Media </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/AJmediaTV">@AJmediaTV</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Youtube: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/trigun321?feature=mhee">Anthony Jones</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.ajmediaproductions.com/">AJ Media </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out previous interview with another business supported by The Prince's Trust: <a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/05/interview-with-tile-fire.html">An interview with Tile Fire</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hopefully you are enjoying this interview series? Which happily coincides with <a href="http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/about_the_trust/headline_news/national_news_2013/1304_enterprise_landing.aspx">The Prince's Trust celebrating thirty years of the Enterprise Programme</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If there is anything specific that you would like to ask myself or the other businesses featured, then drop me a comment and I will see what I can do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wonder who I will be interviewing next?</span></div>
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crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-22148716440490318012013-05-27T14:21:00.000+01:002013-06-14T19:20:41.614+01:00Interview with Tile Fire <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Greetings</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Things have been a little bit up in the air at the moment, what with the <a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2013/05/under-pressure.html">mum</a> being in hospital and all that. This leads to lots of deep thinking and pondering, which is not always a good thing. Everyone needs a little helping hand at times, whether it comes in the form of a hug or in the form of sound advice. So I have been thinking a lot lately, about the support I have received, and am still receiving, from the </span><a href="http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Prince's Trust</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are a small business, self employed, freelancer kind of person, it is sometimes hard to do all the networking that you would like to. So I have decided that I would feature some of the other locally supported by the Prince's Trust type creatives, on this blog and shine a spotlight on all their hard work. I might then branch out to other small business like folk, but I wanted to start with my Prince's Trusties first. Not sure the 'Prince's Trusties' is a cool enough nickname for us though? So I hopped over to a 'Random Gang Name Generator' site and input 'Prince's Trust'. After it suggested 'Black Pimp', I swiftly left and came back here and will stay with 'Prince's Trusties' for now. Please feel free to suggest something else!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First I had to find some of these other creative folk, so I met up with my original Prince's Trust mentor, Heather Peers and wrangled some names from her. Okay that is slightly untrue, she gave the names of some super talented people and I then contacted them to see if they were willing to answer my hard hitting questions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> First up is..... <b>Tile Fire </b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghRaSKuqyxY/UaKbN0StovI/AAAAAAAACxw/-6CCnmWQlpQ/s1600/Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghRaSKuqyxY/UaKbN0StovI/AAAAAAAACxw/-6CCnmWQlpQ/s200/Logo.jpg" width="164" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Who are they?</b> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are Tile Fire Ltd. That’s me, Andrew Cousins, business founder and director/procrastinator and Rachael McNally, blogger and press handler, sandwich maker and all round great girlfriend!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Where are they?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">We are based in Liverpool City Centre, operating out of The Static Gallery on Roscoe Lane. You can pop in anytime to see what we do, but we trade mostly through our website </span><a href="http://www.tilefire.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.tilefire.com</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>What are they?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Tile Fire Ltd. specialises in the application of digital images to ceramics and porcelain</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">. Our main focus is applying designs, photographs and images onto ceramic tiles for use in the home, busine<span style="color: black;">ss or workplace. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">We create single patterned tiles as well as tile murals, both of which make a great feature wall</span></span>.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r9V4kzrCKhU/UaNcIpEB71I/AAAAAAAACyQ/D8h4eyw_5II/s1600/Kitchen+sunflower+photo+tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r9V4kzrCKhU/UaNcIpEB71I/AAAAAAAACyQ/D8h4eyw_5II/s320/Kitchen+sunflower+photo+tile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Tile Fire in Action</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is the best thing about working with the Prince's Trust?</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Prince’s </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">trust is great because of the wealth of business experience the people who volunteer there have</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. If you have a problem with any part of your business, they will find someone who can guide you through it or find a relevant course that you can enrol on to learn whatever it is you need to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Any advice for budding entrepreneurs/those striving towards self employment?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s an uphill struggle! When I started out I thought I would be a millionaire by the end of my first year, but unfortunately that looks unlikely. Be realistic and keep plugging your business at every opportunity, if potential customers don’t know you exist how are they going to buy from you or use your services!?</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Social Media Time</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Website : <a href="http://www.tilefire.com/">Tile Fire Ltd</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/tilefire">@TileFire</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Facebook : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TileFire">Tile Fire </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">G+ : <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/109591491898079816295" target="_blank">+Tile Fire</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Many Thanks to Andrew for answering my questions! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please have a look at their website and follow/like/stalk all the various social media playpens, it really makes a difference to small businesses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tile Fire was also interviewed by <a href="http://www.thedoublenegative.co.uk/">The Double Negative</a>: <a href="http://www.thedoublenegative.co.uk/2013/04/studio-series-andrew-cousins/">Studio Series: Andrew Cousins</a>. This interview gives you more than a peek at the cool studio space, where the tile magic happens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am now seriously wishing that I had an area to tile, how does a life size Grumpus in tile form sound to you? </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crpitt/5444259468/" title="Grumpus gives a heart by crpitt, on Flickr"><img alt="Grumpus gives a heart" height="152" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5139/5444259468_e17d021c2b.jpg" width="200" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where would you like to tile and what images would you use? As the folks from Tile Fire have demonstrated, any image could be used. I know a lot of photography folk, wonder if they would be tempted to use their own photographs create something tiled in their own homes? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really liked Andrew's point about continually plugging your business, otherwise how do people know that you exist? I think that really speaks to where I am at, at the moment. I know I am good at pushing others to interact and shout about their own stuff, but find it hard to sell myself. So, I have made some grown up decisions about the future of '<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheDoodologist"><b>The Doodologist</b></a>', which I will be talking about very soon. How about that for a cliffhanger ending? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dun dun DER</span>! <a href="http://www.dramabutton.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Drama Button</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(I laughed WAY too much at that button)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Still laughing)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">/runs away </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In all seriousness if you have any questions you would like to pose to myself about The Prince's Trust, please do leave a comment or send me an email. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soon to be interviewed are <b><a href="http://thestylefactory.co.uk/">The Style Factory</a> </b>and <a href="http://www.ajmediaproductions.com/"><b>AJ Media </b></a></span></div>
crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-12026263883330294142013-05-14T16:15:00.002+01:002013-05-14T16:15:55.974+01:00Under Pressure <div style="text-align: center;">
I was going to go with 'Pain in the arse' for the blog title, but decided 'Under Pressure' was more appropriate.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crpitt/3967812488/" title="one legged mumborg by crpitt, on Flickr"><img alt="one legged mumborg" height="315" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2639/3967812488_b02be7bfdd.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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I haven't blogged about mumborg for a while, not since '<a href="http://www.crpitt.com/2012/09/time-flies-when-you-are-legless.html">Time flies when you are legless</a>'. For my lovely new readers or general lost souls from the scary place of googling random shit, please click '<a href="http://www.crpitt.com/search/label/mum">Mumborg</a>' and catch up on the tale of the one legged one.</div>
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A grade four pressure sore/ulcer is not something that you want to google, I know some will be tempted to google, even if I say DON'T! You have been warned, it is not pretty.</div>
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Following information is from the <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx">NHS Choices website</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pressure-ulcers/Pages/Symptoms.aspx">Grade four</a></div>
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A grade four pressure ulcer is the most severe type of pressure ulcer. The skin is severely damaged and the surrounding tissue begins to die (tissue necrosis). The underlying muscles or bone may also be damaged. <span style="text-align: center;">People with grade four pressure ulcers have a high risk of developing a life-threatening infection.</span></div>
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Well that doesn't make fun reading does it? </div>
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Nicely enough, Queen wrote an appropriate song about the matter, which was nice.</div>
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Mum has been in hospital for about three weeks now, as usual she isn't complaining or grumbling about the unfairness of it all, she is just getting on with it. The doctors are swabbing the wound, changing the dressings, tilting the bed (magic bed, with magic buttons) and trying to figure out what to do next. Initial swabs and xrays had indicated that the infection had not reached the bone, but decided that an <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/MRI-scan/Pages/Introduction.aspx">MRI</a> was needed to be sure. From the results of the MRI, it is looking like the infection might be in the bone, which is a bit shit. Is it a severe case of <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteomyelitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx">Osteomyelitis</a> or something easier to treat?<br />
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More talking to surgeons will be done today and then hopefully a plan of action will be put into place! </div>
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crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-25645039306042126192013-05-04T23:51:00.000+01:002013-05-07T00:11:38.303+01:00Halton ROCKS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just wanted to do a quick plug for a local music event, that is happening next Saturday, supporting a really great charity. My friend Simon is heavily involved with this and I wanted to show some support, for what looks to be an awesome event. </div>
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<b>Halton Rocks 2013 </b></div>
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The fourth annual Halton Rocks festival comes to to The Studio, Widnes, on Saturday 11th May 2013, 6pm. Showcasing some of Halton's greatest acts, and supporting the outstanding Heswall Disabled Children's Holiday Fund, the popularity of Halton Rocks continues to grow, making the evening a must-attend event for the music lovers of Halton.</blockquote>
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Listen and Buy the album by following the link below. It features some of the artists that will be playing the event: </div>
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<b><a href="http://haltonrocks.bandcamp.com/">Halton Rocks 2013 - Unplugged</a></b><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=3010374627/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/transparent=true/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="400">&lt;a href="http://haltonrocks.bandcamp.com/album/haltonrocks-2013-unplugged"&gt;HaltonRocks 2013 - Unplugged by HaltonRocks&lt;/a&gt;</iframe>
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You can buy the album for as much (or as little) as you like, with all proceeds going to the charity. So have a listen and chuck some money in the pot. </div>
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<b>What is the Charity?</b></div>
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The Charity is <a href="http://heswallcamp.org.uk/">Heswall Disabled Children's Holiday Fund </a></div>
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The Heswall Disabled Children's Holiday Fund has been operating on the Wirral for over 50 years. We're proud of our history of providing free holidays to disabled children and the wealth of experience that that heritage brings with it.</blockquote>
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The website has tons more information and I have provided links to their various social media hangouts, so do take a look. Small charities like this really do thrive and survive on local support!</div>
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<b>Website</b>: <a href="http://heswallcamp.org.uk/">Heswall Disabled Children's Holiday Fund </a></div>
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Like them on <b>Facebook</b>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/heswallcamp">Heswall Disabled Children's Holiday Fund </a></div>
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Follow them on <b>Twitter</b>: <a href="https://twitter.com/heswallcamp">@heswallcamp</a></div>
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Follow them on <b>G+</b> : <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/115069433681037253225" target="_blank">+Heswall Disabled Children's Holiday Fund</a> </div>
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The Facebook Event page, can be found here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/202055563264296/"><b>Halton Rocks 2013</b></a></div>
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<b>In other news:</b></div>
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I have finally joined the masses over on <a href="http://instagram.com/thedoodologist/">instagram</a>, don't worry there are no food pictures yet. I am using Bert my art model, as erm, my art model. Having a phone that can actually use apps like this, is already proving to be a lot of fun! It makes sharing things and using social media on the go, so much easier. </div>
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So if you are over there, I am '<a href="http://instagram.com/thedoodologist/">thedoodologist</a>'</div>
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Toodle Pip! Hope you have a lovely weekend, tis an extra long one for us in Englandshire. Although that doesn't really make a difference to a self employed doodler, we never have a day off (or we just have them whenever we want, don't hate). </div>
crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-63964648602655601852013-05-01T00:22:00.001+01:002013-06-14T19:20:41.620+01:00Creative Pumpkin Side Partner - TJ Lubrano <div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmXnlEb8aIw/UYBJ-Hv7evI/AAAAAAAACo0/Zi1E6N60PKc/s1600/mag4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmXnlEb8aIw/UYBJ-Hv7evI/AAAAAAAACo0/Zi1E6N60PKc/s320/mag4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been blogging now for quite a long time, in fact it will be seven years in October. I always say that the best thing about blogging, by a mile, is the people that I have met along the way. To be honest, there have been a fair few fruit of the looms (polite way of saying, troll mongerers of doom) and they are just the ones that I really like. Only joking, I have met some super, smashing, great people, that live in my computer for the majority of the time, with occasionally breaks for water and real life meetings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So today I want to blog about one of those trolls, erm I mean lovely people! Introducing <a href="http://tjlubrano.com/">Tahira Lubrano </a>aka <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tjlubranosillustrations">TJ</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you guess where she is from? I will give you a very very subtle clue....</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crpitt/8696284701/" title="Clogs by crpitt, on Flickr"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Clogs" height="213" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8546/8696284701_9e8bd48624.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TJ fast became one of my favourite people, because she sent me presents! Okay I am joking, but she has sent me the most amazing packages of loveliness, totally unexpected and totally delightful. TJ was starting out with her illustration business around the time that I had an idea of an idea, that turned into '<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheDoodologist">The Doodologist</a>'. It is no word of a lie, when I say that without her help and support, there would be no Doodologist (don't cry). I have often referenced her as my 'Doodle Mentor' as that is exactly what she is, from moral support to material support (she supplies me with rubbers and more!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have even worked on a few projects together, mainly <a href="http://www.selfexamdoodles.com/">Self Exam Doodles</a> - in which we encourage you to touch yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crpitt/5348993409/" title="International Lady French FINAL CRPITT TJL by crpitt, on Flickr"><img alt="International Lady French FINAL CRPITT TJL" height="132" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5042/5348993409_151b4a0ede.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Which I am sure we will revisit at some point, but in the meantime, it is asleep whilst we grow our own businesses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another exciting thing we have worked on is a fantastical story about creativity, that for the moment mainly lives in our minds. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2fcX_GLjlo/UYBLdY7p-hI/AAAAAAAACpA/EVEEezhuDXY/s1600/Pumpkin+Surprise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2fcX_GLjlo/UYBLdY7p-hI/AAAAAAAACpA/EVEEezhuDXY/s320/Pumpkin+Surprise.jpg" width="316" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a surpirse back in 2010 (yes I forgot to blog about it then, I am bad person!), I recieved this magical painting! That gives a wee hint about the story and the characters. Can you guess which one is me? Yes we are vain and have put ourselves in the story, well in a doodly way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oCajcJzVdC8/UYBLeBqkjaI/AAAAAAAACpE/HLdDRxt3JCk/s1600/Pumpkin+in+the+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oCajcJzVdC8/UYBLeBqkjaI/AAAAAAAACpE/HLdDRxt3JCk/s320/Pumpkin+in+the+sky.jpg" width="292" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Mug holds more clues to the story that will one day come to life, be warned, it is going to be epic. I am predicting that it will be finished before the world ends, maybe. So stay tuned, I may actually blog about this magical story again.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xLBc-_paFI/UYBL0wKWZ5I/AAAAAAAACpU/-P0_octx-hU/s1600/mind+the+bubbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xLBc-_paFI/UYBL0wKWZ5I/AAAAAAAACpU/-P0_octx-hU/s320/mind+the+bubbles.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TJ is having a spring sale over on ETSY, so I would love it if you went over and had a peek.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So pick up a serious bargain, even though I hate the word bargain, that is what it is and support this artist. She is managing her doodle empire all by herself and every sale helps her to create more happiness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wander/fly/hop/skip or jump over to her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tjlubrano">ETSY</a> page and pick something, then buy it and then make yourself happy by adding this code ARTSPRINGSALE50 which then reduces it by 50% </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>DO IT NOW</b> - Discount code runs out on May the 6th.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plus stalk her on the various social media platforms of your liking:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Facebook : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tjlubranosillustrations">TJ Lubrano's Illustrations</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/tjlubrano">@TJLubrano</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Website :<a href="http://tjlubrano.com/"> TJ Lubrano</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Google + : <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/101162800645565566898" target="_blank">+TJ Lubrano</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have I convinced you that she is lovely and you need to buy all her shit? I bloody hope so.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DO IT!</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(cheers lovely people)</span></div>
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crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-32351222973382076052013-04-29T00:19:00.001+01:002013-06-14T19:20:41.617+01:00Developing a doodly style <br />
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Greetings Chums, has spring finally sprung in your neck of the woods? Or are you doomed like the folks from Game of Thrones, with the eternal 'Winter is coming!' (said in ominous tones). In my part of Englandshire, along with the rest of Englandshire, I just look out the window and wonder what shade of gloom will delight us today. For now I would be more than happy with just a few days of consistent sunshine, not too hot and not too cold, I am the goldilocks of weather. </div>
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Anyhoo enough of this weather talk, anyone would think I was British. Let us move on to something else I love talking about... Doodles. I have been playing around with some ideas to create a doodly style, so that I can produce some more consistent designs. Lucky my latest commissions allowed me have a play around with some ideas, which I hope you will like. </div>
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Adding the doodly floral borders not only allows to frame the doodle nicely, it also allows me to sneak in lots of cool little details. I love how people slowly discover all the stuff I hide in them and discover new things that make them smile. Composition is something that I have struggled with a lot, so creating a 'template' of sorts, allows me to be creative, but in a more contained area. Which definitely helps when you then get to the mounting and framing stage. </div>
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I have tons of ideas stuck in my brain at the moment, so I am working on lots of mini projects. Hopefully some will turn into tangible beasts, that I can then share with you! Here is a peek at one of the things I have been playing with. </div>
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<b>PS</b>: I have activated the G+ comment thing and I am wondering if the thing is easily accessible to comment on, even if you don't have a google account or are not signed in. So if you can't comment on this post, please let me know via <a href="https://twitter.com/crpitt">twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheDoodologist">FB</a>, thanks muchly! </div>
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crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-28123460028206902182013-04-25T22:16:00.000+01:002013-04-25T23:33:32.813+01:00Alden and the Funky Giraffe In my last blog post I forgot to mention that I have a brand new nephew! Please say hello to Alden James. Luckily for him, I am starting his blog career early and have gotten him to review some new products already.<br />
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Having had a blog for many moons now, I occasionally get asked to review all sorts of weird and wonderful things. I usually say 'no' mentally and hit 'delete' faster than a whirling dervish, because they usually have no relevance at all to this blog or myself. Every now and again I do get a request that makes me ponder and say 'why the heck not'. This time, it is in the form of teeny tiny moccasin socks.<br />
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<b>Funky Giraffe</b> - <a href="http://funkygiraffebibs.co.uk/moccasins-22/">Funky Giraffe Moccasins </a><br />
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Alden got to review the 'Superstar Blue' moccasin socks - Which you can buy <a href="http://funkygiraffebibs.co.uk/superstar-blue-783">HERE</a><br />
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Alden loved modelling his super cool moccasins</div>
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<b>Alden's thoughts</b>: Hey I like these, they are warm and snugly and I can't kick them off my feet within two seconds unlike my usual rubbish socks! I was worried about them making me look like a wee girl, but I felt rather fetching in them. Have you seen how good I look in the pictures?<br />
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<b>Alden's Mums thoughts</b>: Really well made, they wash well and look great. It is nice having something that looks good, but also isn't awkward to get on and more importantly Alden seems to like wearing them. Reading up on the care and attention that went into the designing and making of the moccasins is also very cool too.<br />
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<b>Where to find your very own Funky Giraffe merchandise?</b><br />
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Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/funkygiraffebaby">Funky Giraffe Baby </a><br />
Twitter -<a href="https://twitter.com/FunkyGiraffebib"> FunkyGiraffeBibs</a><br />
Website - <a href="http://funkygiraffebibs.co.uk/">Funky Giraffe</a><br />
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Just in case people are unsure about what things I will or wont review. I would NEVER review something that I thought was a pile of crud and certainly wouldn't let anything poorly made even near my nephew. If there is something genuinely cool and/or useful then I will review it in a heartbeat, whether it was sent to me for free or if I bought it myself.<br />
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When the moccasins arrived I was genuinely chuffed to have found such a lovely product that I could then pass onto my sister and nephew. They are exceptionally well made and very very cute! Alden was five weeks old when he tried on his pair of moccasins and they fit very nicely indeed. Socks on babies usually stay on for a very short space of time! But these were snug without being constricting and he will no doubt get some use out of them, before going up to the next size.<br />
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I must give some kudos to <a href="https://twitter.com/loveprlondon">Natalie</a> from <a href="http://loveprlondon.com/">Love PR London</a>, the company that emailed me about reviewing this product. A nice simple email, which was polite and straight to the point, was how this all started. Prompt answers to any questions I had, made this is an easy thing to say yes to.<br />
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They are on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/loveprlondon">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/loveprlondon">Twitter</a><br />
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Oh another product I would like to mention is the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PoddlePillowUK">Poddle Pod</a>, which Alden is modelling in the image below:<br />
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I came across this company after seeing a conversation on facebook about mothers struggling to put their newborns down, either for a nap or just somewhere safe whilst doing some quick chores. One lady recommended a 'Poddle Pod'. Knowing that my nephew was going to make an appearance in this world any day, I decided to investigate some more. After having a look at the website and facebook page of the company, I passed on the details to my sister and she ordered one almost straight away, as the reviews from happy customers definitely sold her on the idea. Now that Alden is here, he seems to really love his Poddle Pod. Heather (Alden's mum), thinks it is very well made and finds it reassuring that Alden can chill out in his Poddle Pod.<br />
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Poddle Pod on Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PoddlePillowUK">Poddle Pod UK</a><br />
Poddle Pod Website - <a href="http://www.poddlepod.com/">www.poddlepod.com</a><br />
Poddle Pod on Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/PoddlePodUK">@PoddlePodUK </a><br />
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I am a small business myself and love seeing companies like this, using social media so effectively, hopefully one day people will be blogging about me.<br />
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Next post will be something doodly xx<br />
<br />crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36805245.post-21177607371696241162013-03-29T17:37:00.000+00:002013-06-14T19:20:41.611+01:00A Doodle Round up Greetings Doodle Chums,<br />
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Today I shall bring you a rather visual post, not that that is anything new around here:<br />
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<b>Buttons:</b><br />
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Check out the slide show to see all the button commissions I have completed so far and there is more to come in the next week or so. I get to play with some vintage buttons too, which is excellent.<br />
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<b>Doodle Lamp:</b> A special doodle project has been the Doodle Lamp - this was a complicated doodle process, but well pleased with the results. Pondering what designs I should do next, maybe along the wedding lines. I will be doing a more in-depth post about the creation of the lamp, as I feel it definitely needs its own limelight..<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crpitt/8431777687/" title="Measurements by crpitt, on Flickr"><img alt="Measurements" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8431777687_2fdaffe6be_n.jpg" width="268" /></a>
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<b>Latest<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheDoodologist"> Doodle Commissions</a>:</b></div>
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I will be doing a longer doodle update about the evolution of my doodle style next week, just got to wait till another commission reaches its new home first.<br />
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In the meantime I am currently pinning like a crazy woman over on Pinterest (don't follow me, you would regret it), as I start making some example pieces, in an attempt to create a range, if that is the right term for it. The first theme I will be working on is........... Weddings. I have gone with weddings, as I am doing a rather cool wedding fair in May, so thought it would be good idea to focus on one theme. Although in saying that, the pieces that I create will be adaptable for other things too.<br />
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I am really looking forward to creating these example pieces, as it means that I get to be creative and share the process along the way. Which means more blogging and asking you lot to help me brainstorm, if you don't mind.<br />
<br />crpitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740212737574269503noreply@blogger.com1