tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29121278196198198492024-03-13T00:04:43.251-07:00Nellie and NeoNellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-72503805451511181082014-01-29T11:09:00.001-08:002014-09-07T01:05:52.559-07:00Mabel and Martin liked to Match<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/12210070726/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTtC-o2PNdS8n1VtEkC90e2j6VeE63y8SmN9EEzBv4DwDeXToP_ioPNBFezK2rmHJo80XyVp7CXH38PswrbFqCQT6BaswbdqQQ1U7MMogw08RZ6iQrtBJ1Z-YJyy8qlycpGujYxRlXK8/s1600/Mabel+and+Martin+liked+to+MatchBLOG.jpg" height="640" width="451" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Painting by Helen Dalgairns</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 16.890625px;">This is my latest painting titled Mabel and Martin liked to Match. </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 16.890625px;">T</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16.890625px;">he inspiration for this piece was based upon my love of the Sausage dog or for the correct term the Dachshund. I do not have one as a pet, I really like them including the Beagle but my life is too busy to own a dog. If I did own a Sausage dog, I would </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 16.890625px;">definitely</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16.890625px;"> make it a little tartan outfit to wear like the one pictured above and let it sit on my knee whilst sipping a herbal tea at an artisan cafe. I can only dream that maybe one day, probably when I am an old lady that this little dream may actually happen :-D </span></div>
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Today was my day off work (yeah!) and I met my best friend Jenny <span style="font-size: 15px;">for a cuppa </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">at my favourite cafe </span><a href="https://twitter.com/TheEnglishMuse" style="font-size: 15px;">The English Muse</a><span style="font-size: 15px;"> on Newland Avenue in Hull. We figured that Cream Tea was the way to go, especially on a gray drizzly day in January. The clotted cream was sooooooooo so good and definitely worth the added inches it may have added to my hips!</span></div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-41737506609837689142013-11-22T04:48:00.001-08:002013-12-04T12:59:08.298-08:00No:1 Lady Chicken Keeper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/10992051545/in/set-72157605054896812"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTipiN1Cbr40U5pC4kWWYYaqxxp_UKVF7jO9jSSFX8ICtuIdKTAm3VTqi50sPx_tx2A-RwtH6Lp7fo94_WGQW-qRMjIk-RPTMsHazjokeURGHdueKkZWyrL6XnlCdYL0YmUvZ2XeuOQhg/s640/No1LadyChickenKeeper.jpg" height="640" width="474" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16.890625px;">Painting by Helen Dalgairns</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16.890625px;">Original size: 42 x 59.4 cm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.890625px;">This is my latest painting titled No:1 Lady Chicken Keeper and the inspiration for this piece was based upon my love of being a chicken keeper for</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.890625px;"> four cheeky chickens</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.890625px;">. I know I shouldn't have a favourite chicken but I do, her name is </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.889204025268555px;">Raspberry and I have loved her since the day I adopted her. Raspberry is your everyday orange chicken (my favourite colour by the way), she has the cheekiest personality and likes to run around the garden exploring every nook and cranny, including the inside of our beloved 1970s Campervan! </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.890625px;"> The chicken in the painting was inspired upon Raspberry, although I decided to rename her in the painting as Doris and I am not sure why?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.890625px;">Life for me has had its downs recently, I am currently in recovery mode and my body and mind are starting to heal and wanting to give things another go in the near future. This means that reopening my </span><span style="line-height: 16.889204025268555px;">on-line</span><span style="line-height: 16.890625px;"> shops has yet to still happen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.890625px;">On a positive note my home town Hull was awarded City of Culture 2017 on Wednesday 20th Nov. This has made me very happy and excited, especially for the people who live here and for the people who will move here in the future. Hull has received some very bad press in the past and people who live here including myself laugh at these negative comments, as we know what a wonderful place this city is including the art scene that is now about to boom and blossom even more! Please watch this fantastic film written, produced and directed by Matt Stephenson and Alan Jones:</span></span></div>
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Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-34778494645008103032013-08-27T15:09:00.002-07:002013-12-10T01:40:22.399-08:00Staycation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am currently on a two week staycation, which means that I have finally got round to painting the tree mural in my bedroom. I have been wanting to do this for 3 years now and it took me 3 days to achieve it. I first sketched it out in graphite freehand and then painted it using black acrylic paint. I am really pleased with the results and my husband really likes it too :-D What do you think?</div>
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Neo my cat got a little in the way whilst painting, she is a very stubborn cat not wanting to move for anything. Rolling the bed covers was the only solution.</div>
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During my staycation I have also been spending some time in the garden enjoying the summer sun and the chooks. I love to watch them, they are funny little creatures with cheeky personalities always scratching about in the mud looking for a juicy worm to eat. </div>
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To all the people who have asked me when my prints and cards will be for sale again, firstly thank you for enquiring. I am still in the process of getting my new pieces prepared for printing and then I should be ready to fill up my on-line shops again :-D I am also looking at creating my own Nellie and Neo website where I will be selling my artwork. So keep watching this space. x x x</div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-54657227380823101822013-07-26T16:45:00.003-07:002013-09-17T00:50:15.842-07:00Just Be<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Title: As One with Nature</div>
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I am finally back and with some new artwork to show you, of which is very exciting for me and I hope you like them too. As the picture represents above I have now found a bit more balance in my life, especially since finishing my degree. I am now aiming to just be, enjoy the last of the summer months and try to be as one with nature. Cats in my experience, do this well, everyday, whether rain or shine.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/9371785023/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMs3uLV9jWXnJbcdW3nhRz3JG7NZUf7sKLYlg4D-775IBhhuABv_0kjFKQsosXCshsEcXae1XM14Zxs6SfYXvdvqXDIk9JiW3Y-pEfIzNi5BsVkkoCd2LRHeF5bCEBUejteTHAyXIrgY/s640/CatGeek.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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Title: Contentment</div>
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I am a cosy creature of sorts and cats are too, we like to have time to snuggle, be alone, read a good book (maybe not cats!) and day dream to our hearts content. A day like this is not wasted to me and cat geek lady shown above has all that she wants in life, she needs no more than what surrounds her.</div>
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I will be soon producing both of these illustrations into limited edition prints for my online shops. </div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-31956111261578258122013-01-20T03:41:00.001-08:002013-03-01T03:56:27.724-08:00Chickens and Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy New Year to you all! I hope that 2013 has started off well for you. This weekend I found out that my pet chickens dislike snow and the only way to get them out of their chook house is to encourage them with some treats. I also handed in my last 'ever' assignment for the BA in Community and Youth Studies degree, which is such a relief! I also, became an aunty and would like to congratulate my brother Jaime and his wife Laura on the arrival of their little boy Harry! </div>
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This year I aim to establish more balance in my life, spend less time worrying and focus more on things that I love doing, such as planning adventures with my husband, going out dancing with friends and spending at least once a week in my studio listening to Radio 6 and creating some new artwork! I also aim to close Cattoo and rename my art business as Nellie and Neo.</div>
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What are your aims for 2013?</div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-67655829318620102472012-11-18T02:13:00.000-08:002013-12-01T00:36:17.123-08:00My Family and Other Animals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My husband and I have been keeping chickens since June this year, four in-fact, each with a different personality. Chicken keeping is something that I have wanted to do for a while now and my great grand parents were farmers so I think it is in my blood. Firstly there is Raspberry (my favourite) pictured above, who likes to follow you all over the garden and then there is Eagle pictured below who is the biggest of the four and has a great appetite, especially for frogs! Then there is Mike the Knight (named by my nephew) and Agent Smith (named after the Matrix) who both like to run fast around the garden and so you need a special wildlife camera to get a picture of them! </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/8196068288/in/photostream/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4AvWCY_yRVN5ekadUz6ZanbNApof7oV-OfsbsPsGX3VTbQhB82J-tEYQbWQiIOsbFOTru6YJ-a0xyaoW3moqWMnyH1NYjcRmGxfXTjZwLM-o-9fSDAJYyD3rKfkqD7djCELkLDgsqwI/s400/Chicken3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-91016793372352962582012-11-09T16:35:00.001-08:002012-11-14T04:39:22.179-08:00How I feel today<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemmacorrell/6982627619/"><img alt="hang in there, baby" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6982627619_ffe90718ec.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I am a worry wart, my husband often tells me so, I know most situations never turn out the way you imagine them to and so I should not worry about things so much. I think most of the time it is best to just hang in there and see what happens. This fantastic illustration by <a href="http://www.gemmacorrell.com/">Gemma Correll</a> best describes how I feel today.<br />
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I think I need this <a href="http://www.gramposters.com/2012/03/hang-in-there-baby"><b>poster</b></a> in my life :-)</div>
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How about you? How do you feel today?</div>
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Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-32997239886334682652012-11-04T08:52:00.001-08:002014-01-31T02:44:27.698-08:00A little trip to Brugge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/8154158766/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6Od8HrCM0iNLiBGgauFKiX2nP8ru71C0YrpQh2BtZ-fP2a8uTvK4s7pDeu93N3-JS_CyRsiTPFhUN9QHzLEJ9K4BaaDEWPClxVnaPTOF14Gdvryb_4uq8hapEQraIiFbXv86A-f4tkg/s400/PB031218.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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My husband and I have just returned from a mini trip to Brugge, spending two nights on a <a href="http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/minicruise_minicruise.htm">P&O</a> ferry from Hull and a one night stay in a hotel in Brugge. Brugge in Belgium is a place I have never been to before, the architecture is amazing, with every turn a beautiful building is to be seen. Brugge is a small city which makes it a great place to explore, pedestrians, cyclists and horse and cart seem to be the main way to travel around this city. So many beautiful shops and restaurants too!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/8154158228/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImCHbMEfc3DFiUBYZ5hYKioZgdXlKWcMS_mRCiCAyrqR63ChmyN1BhEwvGv8cNJ5jY9cC5Q2Q0DmupO4szrxd3KkPTqAvMeDDpC6gQgkC7niQ5aXgTnXqgYHWP3DYk2I-fzXqXGkLW2Q/s400/PB031166.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whilst in Brugge we decided to go on the <a href="http://www.halvemaan.be/">De Halve Maan</a> (The Half Moon) Brewery Tour, which is the only family run brewery in the centre of Brugge. Whilst on the tour you get to climb to the roof top where you get to see a great view of Brugge. This place is well worth a visit!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/8154131485/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pnv_0YH0QZlBaAMdBtdZEptcnTuM84jRabD3YGlf5TmGiOON1DdaE60wXW77PLamovx09opZmU6b49o75q-2ikefwzdl_HCVmVEi8OnpEybbTagUF0yZunnKV6J1cZcL3uY95WGC1Dk/s400/PB031180.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have never drank such a large Hoegaarden!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/8154156564/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7H2oaFowcSi7ilBUITjY8qg0ZNP1JM22WMki6WHM1LPHPevFfjA6x3mOeO9cBOFYg9XswM3c7vxuS1myVd5I3JwFxQyLIuP7YZ69nn2JY6CbSM63Sc8M5e_NkDUX2vAGCWGaQiIOk_-o/s400/PB031225.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our P&O ferry back home to Hull </div>
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The Belgium chocolates were amazing too :-)</div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-91027460413107841522012-10-01T10:14:00.004-07:002013-11-22T09:42:02.909-08:00 Side-tracked Afternoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few days ago whilst tidying the house, I got a little side-tracked. I came across a pack of Porcelain Pens that I had bought a while back, amongst some porcelain white mugs, a jug and an egg cup. I was in a creative mood and so I decided to have a dabble at using the pens and below are the results of my side-tracked afternoon. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/8044235265/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRG85AVaQ7Ni9zyqH8fXVo8QpgdgJJWNSzUL73Azf88CBDHeXrK9OZ_rxzOqhYAsAu1SKmq1MH-00MV5cl726apWn8xajoT573YQSOJ2H0KdyYij1lXjUG5aMGzViWwDFOE38Qo2_F1Jg/s400/P1011108.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
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Happy Cat Mug</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/8044246466/in/photostream/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X-4_DNRlPV429pLxaO-HyI_N0zGSVUOdbo3lrRQOlaTEybl3BrySWLzClFklXUSmImQtSi1KQIoxoE5DPxXxryowq_pg-n1WV7CgsJAXGt2A63WIVOE-csncLKCDe8YfFIGuiOfWzJw/s400/P1011101.JPG" height="640" width="475" /></a></div>
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Birdy Cat Egg Cup</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/8044233973/in/photostream/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQeZhWu-mxrVEkIRYhTNtdGJHNK9wkb8iZYgJed4zMjXl4IcHVYhJG2PnWXza4oX3QC2l7-CN_133cJ6voeyW1e4Qd4PwWfnmzBFdtL2tXiMC8TJf808vwktn2TGYFessaLxO0mhNq94/s400/P1011139.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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Sleepy Cats Mug</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/8044245414/in/photostream/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVImx5qch4Zacr9HCHpmRAijQzJy2gOR8kQhCCWPsn2VfZWEE9UkI5sc5p9ZY7fS9ua2KHupAgkWfCaTayXWoibD3yd3GIl4G69RCLqoNL2JbprmCOfLLaSp8TINzdKv1bg0i5GBuvRA/s400/P1011128.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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Birdy Cat Jug</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/8044233447/in/photostream/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8MPwid9BfYKhU3QRXqLptCXJlwG4XDPte81Zw98zshtdxAEvfxfxVe5HznmXZGWNGdg3GoJ3HVhhUjq8-BKQDOcyBLXwgyi0T0qBXKIvqg0RRw_XxZSn_jolS8Pfeb0KXm8oCPsY-E8/s400/P1011143.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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Happy Grumpy Cats Espresso Cup</div>
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I would love to know what you think of these?</div>
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xxx</div>
<br />Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-77780472131314570272012-08-13T11:14:00.002-07:002015-05-16T12:41:33.492-07:00Summer Days <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/7776851896/in/photostream" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2rIRHwglQH4pfgqqTITBR-cULtqkxPT3DooqFLp3myMeOIaeI6UuhrUhgj32bC4aN9ajwKjVUiuK3goxq3PRiep8RtDeqQcJ6CfPTZxPfrOELghjI7wMqNzlKci5Xj9YLK0pUBgWOeY/s640/Summer+Days+copy.jpg" width="449" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New artwork at last, this illustration is called Summer Days and was inspired by local greenspaces. Prints will eventually be for sale in my on-line shops.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am also in the process of writing a dissertation for my final year on the BA in Community and Youth Studies. I cannot wait to finish and finally be free from the study so I can pursue my first love, art!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right off to have a nice cup of apple and pear tea, following on with a good film xx</span></div>
<br />Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-71982909578604329132012-04-11T04:06:00.000-07:002014-01-31T02:44:58.474-08:00Noir Bizarre Grand Opening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6921022704/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYmLiFoEqPwXRBmmS776Gq6bJUDBxUxf1n-kcqKy-K_LPfB79yN8zfkHPFF-zCsj_azhKLBf-2huUP2BW0qLwgGJOFd2j9NMh46tHZ9jcGkk8Or5i8PxtzHxveYDSO-cgKUhVdJdeyjA/s400/P4070439.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello :-) I just thought I would pop by and give you an update. So much has happened since I last posted in October, except for creating some new artwork :-( I am still in the midst of studying for a BA in Community and Youth Studies and I will be finishing soon. I cannot wait to get back in-touch with the studio and start creating some new artwork, my brain is jammed full of ideas and it is starting to hurt!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6921023018/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiFRLUVRNqcUpxtd8Y3MR-4fAWqmWdMNHiwNZ4htXUjkFz62lQQyaDuXzeLU4Ec0_tXfvYMWlYLNJnUjcms9TkhEN6eyP2SiS2UZGYApaQBGDEvXcBX3DGaUxkvHmtWCePMsuDyT60xg/s400/P4070449.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friends Bonita and Holly who are tattoo artists, recently opened their own tattoo studio & art gallery in Hull called Noir Bizarre. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">One of my illustrations 'No:1 Crazy Cat Lady' was included in the first exhibition. Thanks so much Bonita and Holly for including my art work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">If you would like a custom tattoo doing, I would strongly advise you visit these two talented ladies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Noir Bizarre - Tattoo Studio & Art Gallery</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">25 Princess Avenue</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Hull</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Facebook page: </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/NoirBizarre">http://www.facebook.com/NoirBizarre</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/7067102227/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFJGhudpVcUKngEaY1AAk1riNpMJtMeViPrrfVea7Fx8ZjblUyyE8yqsU_hav8ZVZW-a2Ik6gXi3TviefMR-grrnQc1wtdjHj8Wqdxxw6YYOJDQOC86udtkhMuvwpulPBUFMF97lU4Xs/s400/P4070440.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beautiful Holly inside Noir Bizarre</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/7067102345/in/photostream/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tKGE-3iVNWSCMMWB1xb7gaFRrC3xULmf45-J6ehX-nxw5P-37atVsztzYsuBI3xB7yHvuJKXvvzBMf56vNjyXF3CwHiECilKrLlGKQ7HYaGef6Q7_zRxGhajorV7bX_srlE9hhEzgI8/s400/P4070441.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bonita & Holly and their awesome artwork in the back ground</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/7067101957/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8eCag5V7UKkBg_et9j7p27Ap6xpofL9e9HQSb8RN4nRfn8sg6OtEioY9Arf03ln-dG_gxOm6eNM4OMpOkCfi4osG-pI0gvwA1kZtB8VNx0DAS-bBdzW3yQEvYFs940qsjS-kdz2mNV8/s400/P4070446.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst at the exhibition, I also got the opportunity to meet visionary artist Tico Chango who was born in Cuba, grew up in New York and now lives here in the UK. His artwork is wonderful, I love his use of colour pallet, pattern and symbol to tell us his spiritual stories. Please have a look at his website: <a href="http://myztico.mosaicglobe.com/">http://myztico.mosaicglobe.com</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6921022564/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa-HBQeRdjniPGGLiq5hksSS5TFLGS1QpfBFwA9JPDPRnGmtz-MrGov22WWsJi7Opo6M8194q9qyt-h5AUpqaBHxNVDlZklp-QsdwlRhby9lu5Xu8PFsiOYCfSKljJRsLWCINUtSgSqg/s400/P4070437.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Noir Bizarre also sells some wonderful handmade vintage goods, so pop in and have a peek!</span></div>
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Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com4Hull, Kingston upon Hull, UK53.7456709 -0.336741353.6705499 -0.49466980000000005 53.8207919 -0.17881280000000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-9774520522631692322011-10-06T04:18:00.000-07:002012-10-21T01:44:25.222-07:00Let the studying commence!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6244091151/in/photostream"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFacTd1KkJE0RVX6tclrm4ckF0XrIOEl1C2cgVvJfvAzxlB_rxnRcAHKEoPkGGbwNDTr4b0h1WDIMN87-9mN8fv0yzzhABsVzTDLDRh07cbICEGtGnx8zRoqd-2a4A8qB6rOH_awNxHOg/s400/Let+the+studying+commence3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6244087979/in/photostream/"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMX1HH8vk0XnoO1sONOCPgCekD9cRrUTlCToVb0n8pIQ5o1ExdC7Wm5rv1Wd_DkmLLXAQi-sUeeI-0nvIvfpREWHGIB6djgrkJHvVHkt-NnmyzPNTNxsRUwn_oz632XVwT46OXyG57Sk/s400/Let+the+studying+commence2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6244603230/in/photostream/"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfie47Q19LQKfPq0uB7Zot1-S7zFSmAHchm-cavP7YqsSpguxw4mIM6KQFsMKMs_GB9pNfvQzQ6QFRs1bflg5rPdbqHQ6XFxU6hagd2_zRTdg86XMfJtmzieJzUuoOzAyGW_Tui1I7rGA/s400/Let+the+studying+commence.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This will be my last post for a while now, studying for a BA in Community and Youth Studies has now begun! I am in my final year of the degree and I am doing this on top of my full-time job as a Voice and Influence Forum Worker at Hull Youth Council. This does not leave me with much time for blogging and my artwork, which really bugs me but I have no choice but to get on with the first part of the semester. I am aiming to get back into the artwork during the Christmas break and I will keep adding some photos to my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26583874@N04">Flickr</a> :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is so hard to get back into the books when all I can see is Neo my cat snoozing on her favourite puff! x</span></div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-1593743528074798862011-09-20T06:54:00.000-07:002013-11-22T09:46:26.289-08:00Blink Bonny Wood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6099281375/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pamQPeDL33CqmPLH-rcyyJTS-a80kW57ViBuiS1wUZPzX0pPTmfZH9jFQPaDSqTjw0GkpWz4zSRanI5gyr3tiocL-OxKW1qzEU3uWipI4LO8fJzYgK1v1DX6T6U-g_GyiJ1mnc9mA84/s400/P1010531.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Peeps! I cannot believe we are halfway through September! I have been busy enrolling at Hull University to do a top up degree in Community and Youth Studies, including working on three new illustrations which I hope to get out soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of August, UK bank holiday weekend my husband and I went on another little camping trip, this time we stayed at <a href="http://blinkbonnywood.com/">Blink Bonny Wood </a>on the edge of the Lammermuir hills in Scotland. This is a very secluded campsite and has very basic bathroom facilities, including one compost toilet (which took me a while to get used to, as I was paranoid that something was going to bite my bum! ) and no shower facilities just bottled water. The bonus is that you get your own little camping area in the wood, including your own fire pit! No cars are allowed on the site, you have to abandon your car at the entrance which means that you need to bring a trolley to carry all your stuff! This we forgot and the kind owner offered us a wheel barrow and commented that we had more stuff than a family of four who had camped there the previous week!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This campsite is also a good base if you like a bit of retail therapy, people, buildings and cafe culture as Edinburgh is only a 30 minute drive away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some photos from our camping adventure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to basics.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6099831168/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOukH9mum8iW5CvZ5aXHisemuo-WZD2d6EBW2_78ryL_AXu3zTmtVw2Dm81Oa_hUOh1EBlXCwa8uE5KNJJrL3i9NmXZlPzQCNUz6HHdwdyWmBBuwSIPjos7VYFxE-iCssGe7HStbzTKg/s400/P1010547.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Camping fodder!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wondered what was on the other side? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although the bridge looked a bit delicate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lovely handcrafted shed. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6099288409/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVrY3EKOQCsTncMUFUKPg7dMFSWPE7QPEa2qQy-jG80qw2zk0veBB5eA2Jnn50uA3jmyETCv12sCgRfXb9fb6mR4zXUPrfF5dE7yn4pnT_mQuljOFW9Mf5RGZlfhdPjorwdQBMqDAp8o/s400/P1010618.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The campsite shop where I bought two handmade bug boxes.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6099289295/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8KoCgjcBTqKbIZEIC3QeiAtBV5fuRrN8rltQCei7JDAJuQYLzFNlGyq1fa8taWk4inpgcaFYwBAAzcUTzbpISsqdufb_QUjjve3I3SJ86wyKIMD4b1eBxRfis6bM2N21rMwVusv-WWg/s400/P1010640.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A mushroom soaking up the morning due.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6099837724/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jZ6xvKEz0fLPjdsU8ANDKQCX3vwzNNF2-l0mrnFrWvJEU0yKHL0R_9Jr6Xnn4AMQH0lASn3xMqtdecQXukp66tO2g08oMQt6l10K6Y390HqBmEuy3owoXaGD7jCoE8VynUPy52wDii8/s400/P1010659.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The compost toilet!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6099838968/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0GmQfzVa66GgUwn8mgNjlJnH1kNhyphenhyphen-ztv2q730cXkZx2T5XzGz11Nyp-y7cLC662QrpKUYkGQ-mMCzLE6gE8xbenNYL4qxg8XPgR1WS9bbqebsOLNLfdHIO7Dc0ktcFJ1Awks4MOoVM/s400/P1010668.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The woods behind our tent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The forest fern smelt amazing after it had rained!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6099841760/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixe6rnciMPcRCD5celB80fxIJKVZQxuWBh9CcEg-oF6c4zkKfNy7U0ot6KsipQ93CoQoHatZTlA7c3fqOHCX8lKsXTbQVBRXzed25aqt6eXtcEmhV82x1GXzrNs1n3ntTKOodH6CTcCtA/s400/P1010687.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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A Scottish Thistle and a bee searching for some pollen.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6099841128/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_F-IAmhbWVZyuKcKD9KT3ItEgecQZRBmMUlEFzUpixHLiwd4w8JoG3YrMXn06gUCT0p-2Wtci6RCGblfPWJUYmkzLxrAWCn15w4F1dz8p1z_xRrSKs2doN2DqYLhiW9vYr0F_VuHyb5U/s400/P1010684.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lush plants and textures!</span></div>
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Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-18782169368479010932011-08-21T15:24:00.000-07:002012-10-21T01:49:18.832-07:00Skyride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6067183188/in/photostream"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wB_8vRc0oaw5uL17dnuEMABzZcAV3PgDFicENpAjR5vzT_ji_hVqzLhbSU_jUYIUm3BAbSEIECb6-D9bcfS1v3qTOkTCu1YKTNPxXlcCCqhHLZB5pu1yNoZD6msZLRb2QFucntDImso/s400/P1010514.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today my friends, husband and I took part in the <a href="http://www.goskyride.com/">Skyride</a> in Hull and it was the most beautiful day. Skyride is a national campaign from Sky and British Cycling created to inspire everyone whatever their age or ability to get on their bikes. This includes an aim to get 1 million people cycling regularly by 2013. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skyride closed off the streets to motorists between 10am - 4pm so cyclists could cycle freely around the city centre. It was a great way to spend a sunny Sunday with friends, explore the city centre of Hull including such places as <a href="http://www.thedeep.co.uk/">The Deep</a>, shared with a few drinks at the end of the day at <a href="http://www.fruitspace.co.uk/">Fruit</a> and <a href="http://www.pavebar.co.uk/">Pave </a>:-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skyride at Queens Gardens, Hull</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6066635431/in/photostream"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmA1Zz7saA55aZSdwcp06cP6PO9bYWFNCpyC_y2WtKS_8CBpm5pWxgeqIu_vYlwM01pa0CcyXexgBMiAM97Ztkr4oK__kmZph6lPsHKlaUJ0p1-0xfHyLYLTBqGMeiHKTDPpoX5jKPkI/s400/P1010509.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband Al, looking cool waiting for his bike to be coded by the Police.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6066632527/in/photostream"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Kj0wUOqWiiDBydjdpCd8jJNkafZWWy90oGLROgOsBbCjOQj7Wg7DUDSnlOPNPxxGn0mmI8tyajAKjAAXoH3f1QXy4XgsU8J4lstFGjxLOdW4m2DUrJyBhXdmpX5MZS-Kn_1wd96ks60/s400/P1010506.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friend Matt riding on his friends custom long wheel base low rider.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the overall message from the day was, get on your bike, its free and good for you :-)</span></div>
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<br />Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-61839345959726695522011-08-10T12:42:00.000-07:002013-11-22T09:51:04.402-08:00Moving on a Little<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things are moving on a little! I have been able to keep my youth work job in a recent restructure and I have also been approached by an arts centre in Gloucestershire who would like to sell my art cards! </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6029709707/in/photostream" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-V1bKngivpZzWsdoU4drCgNObAN-NmI7byh0fHfx4qb_wBO8B8wdvUEckvahiRJ12V_7MMqJGxKDaeVQgZeElErsgtaP8zyDJ04c_CH6h71n7XfVpTZJ2NIzxI8Hnaz9B_q9sTBDdkA/s400/P1010208.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The past few days I have been trying to make my studio more
organised and prettier to work in. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
have been collecting postcards and little prints for a while now and so
it was nice to finally give them a home. My favourite print being 'Small Acts Transform the World' which I bought from </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thebigharumph" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Big Harumph</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> on Etsy.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/6030263852/in/photostream" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7Zc2XmPu7OBC-uPmNkKSDz0SdwSyS3TNHBJW4BjGPCfO40zKc_CPP4BCuA5vrUfCIRts0HnmWzaGt2Inb7ckxkuJSbb3k5xmdH8k7nP_ZY3JOSIBZwEQPWG-NvpN2PQPST8W1BvlrGM/s400/P1010209.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bye for now xxx</span></div>
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Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-19404161770158686352011-07-04T12:58:00.000-07:002012-10-21T01:50:41.572-07:00Learning something new and relaxing in the sun :-)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5905394721/in/photostream"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdkEQ07_JPXMhK7YnsR09Dq1PpxwXnhOP5U8UELqAmkJvmw4pVF108rOGvknlrb_dtU2ES27Y5izm8W8aEBfNVcMDzOcKNT5s3BV-yxjPd5jweOgPT7_JO7TnKS23AG2ZuPrmAXfnq-M/s400/BookBindingCourse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few weekends back, I went on a bookmaking course at Artlink in Hull. It was part of the annual Humber Mouth literature festival in Hull and was delivered by Guy Begbie, who is an internationally established book artist. During the course I learnt various bookmaking skills, including Japanese book binding and the creation of a multifunctional pocket sized book. I really enjoyed learning a new craft and this is definitely something I would like to try again. The books you see above, I made during the two day course and my favourite one being the pull out book . Hopefully I will remember how to make them :-) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend Al and I visited Thornwick Bay near Flamborough. The sun was out and the East Yorkshire coast was calling! This is a great little beach, with many rock pools and caves to explore for such things as Sea Glass!! I will return to this area of the coast again one day. We left refreshed and ready for the week ahead of us :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you all have a good week :-)</span></div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-60252920247458109742011-04-21T07:40:00.000-07:002013-11-22T09:51:46.148-08:00April Sunny Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5640305503/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIL3jhda98ehVV_n9YAMJdejItOo0l7td7UJhyphenhyphenQ8EqRtkVn62r0m_yf0frpuaYpfURaxtNVBN4Q9MY7zqDiSdD4VIAj6-QV2x7_OIq72h5C1fx9Kjn7FwPItYWNGhG-ZRvKbTalQtccY/s640/P1000609.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am really enjoying the sunny weather here in the UK, the flowers, the birds, my garden and the smell of BBQ's. The Easter holidays are here and I am now off work for 12 days!!!! Today I am making the most of my garden, as the next 11 days will consist of Al and I knocking through our separate toilet and bathroom. The bathroom and toilet are very old, the current interior includes horrible pink tiles from floor to ceiling and a dark blue bathroom suit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst chilling in the garden this afternoon, I took some photos of Neo my cat enjoying the sun and I thought you might like to see them :-) I am kind of new to gardening and I have been experimenting with potted plants which is becoming quite addictive! I source most of my ceramic pots on Ebay and <a href="http://www.uk.freecycle.org/">Freecycle</a>, including the old Belfast sink pictured above which was free from <a href="http://www.uk.freecycle.org/">Freecycle</a>! I have also got into the habit of collecting stones, bricks and drift wood whenever I visit the seaside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Rhododendron</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5640854726/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWScQ3Fg87IdTFUD7oAHPLfUgs-58ICVUbWEg-qu0tNwuesGS8IfRsPAqcnhTcARVfMPGPGJJnpyjjcmaVdlKWxYJYVUeaQ2k2jVoKTeAm1c4HbJ_N1NW9zDzoSojgn4o5QWvyQ-vrpU/s640/P1000588.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Neo enjoying the rays :-)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5640854722/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzTAWLbgBdmH26huiUnsMjcZa0j8OuF-9QK0jhyAUYozsU025ScUL5lFlTCwYU5Bq3SyocD2y6VsFXAcSSbPyML1p57yBD85omUQX_FEE3wfX5b5PQ198LMtOaNfqVr89X3S8CnuM9Zo/s400/P1000558.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My potted Raspberry plant is growing fast, I will soon have to tie it to the canes.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5640854718/in/photostream"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAMAQoPYF_6x9uP1mDFxr3V46pwg1AHlxrBI1FvboVFlGx4prSFHzGy9svQqQw8aCP-NiDzAXt7yDGESDsrSzA1eEA9DKcAGnLYBanvJUqhK9tqrT35C9rZUZtt2jJs1herokVlZgIlc/s640/P1000579.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Neo and her shadow :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stretch! Back rub!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Easter!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you get lots of chocolate!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XXX Helen & Neo XXX</span></div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-49320827028513925932011-04-10T05:47:00.000-07:002012-04-11T04:30:54.494-07:00Things I LOVE on Etsy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/71669806/acorn-salt-and-pepper-pots"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jiNBUzf5FlPbwJZMK2KNbgGZlmxEYc3sVRTmRcUIERUtvnNqQw7AYQ8Kb5B531mPAQMDsgBBlIOVffISRXEo6Ywx8uuzic_W4kmjq5K4FcHLcDzaI1VV8WWDYC1H5_R4YDSlpfmqTcI/s400/il_fullxfull.233941470.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70841522/large-flower-wreath-bluebird-of">Large Flower Wreath - Bluebird of Happiness</a> by The Bakers Daughter</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62866811/two-dog-collar-corsages-special-value">Dog Collar Corsage</a> by Bean Town Handmade</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58423718/lasso-me-the-moon-print-8x10">Lasso Me the Moon - print</a> by Mkendall</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/52956095/rain">Rainy day - Journal</a> by Mamaroots</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bye for now x</span></div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-21162232230345223602011-04-03T03:40:00.000-07:002012-04-11T04:31:36.730-07:00No:1 Crazy Cat Lady<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">For all those wonderful crazy cat ladies out there, including gentlemen :-)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5582896796/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09RwKI2jGXaVqyVyxkjlwHRLIJVMUxxuIy_N4friqTJEJWEnel7XKsxOitQXmj3G5G3RxLeGuvh65YQQVw6BKDSNdl3KBt_rGGAON794cfSPHVv2RuhSuJmZWOY1pesnmKKH9MP00iBs/s640/P1000537.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I would like to introduce you to my newest illustration the 'No:1 Crazy Cat Lady'! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">As mentioned in a previous <a href="http://lifeofcattoo.blogspot.com/2011/01/work-in-progress.html"><b>post</b></a> this illustration was inspired upon the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">most</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">craziest of cat ladies out there. I came to realise that the most committed of crazy cat ladies would probably have the 'No1 Crazy Cat lady' tattooed along their arm, including all the names of the cats that had gone to heaven.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5582321323/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBvB-9KjcjYPqQmJy-Bh5ysrB_HN8TzNbnUfP-PbJmeDSq-naB1uK93_PhwZx4e4PKvciJF6NE1q6alYqjP_oEmn6HIwq_dBm_P3CyOkuzabNbcpKbQRNs7MGdAOKxtbUz0zOw2kwyCc/s640/No1CrazyCatLady.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The 'No:1 Crazy Cat Lady' print is now available to purchase in my <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Cattoo">Etsy</a> </b>shop.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Before I go I just want to say HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all the lovely Mums out there, especially to my Mum :-) </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Mum, you are the BEST MUM in the world! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">XXX</span></span></div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-29967434835635881832011-03-28T13:49:00.000-07:002012-10-08T03:17:21.295-07:00Help Japan - 1000 Birds Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://makikohastings.blogspot.com/2011/03/help-japan-1000-birds-project-now-open.html"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTC7gsTL5u3g0jhq4nAgGv__KIvQwy90GffvHTwtOm01OzFtT_SntYSGqG9Hll8p5-fN9jS8QvH-hdaSXc7sVCTixjJwcCWOl8xvvpWxuLO5Ja9P4ycmR9heaskg3HM03181B-8L-Acc/s640/BUY+BIRD+HELP+JAPAN.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What is it?</span></span></b></span></b></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This project has been set up by Makiko Hastings, Japanese ceramicist who currently lives in North Yorkshire, U.K., aiming to raise money to help Japan for their recovery from the devastating Earthquake / Tsunami on 11th March 2011. Makiko has family and friends in Japan, where many others are effected by the Earthquake. As you can imagine, Japan’s recovery will take a long time, it can be decades for people to get back their life. They need help more than ever. Makiko believes every little helps and can make a difference, which lead her to the idea of selling1000 handmade ceramic birds. All sales of the birds will go to Japan Earthquake appeal. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Why 1000 birds?</span></span></b></span></b></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The idea was influenced by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thousand_origami_cranes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Japanese story of 1000 paper cranes</span></a>. Please click here for the information.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #033076; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does the bird look like?</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b></b></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #033076; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></b></b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #033076; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each piece is handmade and individually decorated by Makiko from her home studio. The birds have no wings, instead ‘HELP JAPAN’ logo were embossed on its body, which emphasising the wish that with YOUR HELP they can hopefully fly for their life once again. Red chest is a symbol of Japan. Individual birds are numbered from 0001 to 1000. This is for administration purposes so please bear in mind that Makiko will </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOT</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> take any order for any specific numbers. Makiko’s signature is embossed on the tail. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Birds are made out of ceramics, in a form of a chopstick rest. It is small enough to hold in your palm. You can also keep it as a lucky charm, which is a tradition in Japan. (e.g. to wish for your child’s growth and good health) </span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://makikohastings.blogspot.com/2011/03/help-japan-1000-birds-project-now-open.html"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVJhwyXD-vf34SA8eM32h5vqhmSNrb77MVQ5DtYkroAwZg3Pl-bKi2j-teebNr0OYYB_PWw99XGdtvNbpM63xoMWtKndJBJjBIvwIM0G1YDwrYHoRyvavuAnJSWoxM3cdEKn0GTFIRpQ/s640/birds+canvas.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How long will this project last?</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The project opened to the public from 27th March. It is set up as an on going project to help Japan long term. Makiko will be making birds until the sales reach 1000 birds. Remember, even TV stops showing Japan related news, it does not mean that they are fine. So please don’t forget they need continuous help. Every Little Helps. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Where does money go?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each sales will be calculated regularly and will be sent to a Japan Earthquake appeal organization in Japan. Makiko will inform the outcome on her <a href="http://makikohastings.blogspot.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">blog</span></b></a>. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Who can help?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">YOU! Anyone who are happy to help. Every little DOES help for people in Japan now and the future. This project is accessible worldwide. You can also help by spreading the word. What individual can do might be small, but putting many of those individuals together, ‘WE’ can certainly help Japan. So please spread the word. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How much is it?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These beautiful birds are only </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">£3.50</span></span></span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> each! There will be an additional fee for P&P.</span><b> </b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is an option for those who are happy to donate extra.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Please go to:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Makiko Hastings <a href="http://makikohastings.blogspot.com/2011/03/help-japan-1000-birds-project-now-open.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>blog</b></span></a> to find out more about how to purchase one of these wonderful birds and make a donation to the </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Japan Earthquake appeal.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>GOOD LUCK MAKIKO!!</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am looking forward to holding my little bird</span></div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-14900133362523697762011-03-19T10:58:00.000-07:002012-10-21T01:53:18.424-07:00Notre voyage à Paris<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">As mentioned in my last post, my husband Al and I recently visited Paris to celebrate my 33rd birthday (yikes!) and our 5th wedding anniversary! Below are some photos from (notre voyage à Paris) our trip to Paris :-)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539750432/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjFD_9NYyh6LjfFDYrglqCtpEOgaxe4pGQIkVcv90G-lUIgokKtm_kcWeSawLkCKdp5ZxMCUm6lOjnRiD9S0DLmbqLGFGjXXe1kh1XB3OtSfRT-Yo8B5RnmNmHufCN2-HXUo6tx3SuFU/s640/P1000290.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539170713/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMLxW-M9JbBoxCNU_z5_HVbm0U6y3gFR3MANpUa-jXL5n-_TLoGAqkwuUJIUGr5MKLxoAbugQtXwGSe7H1LxMmmadlB55pYWCO8ERWpG7BEf3r8ASMNB72D3r7bxMgxWTogeV8wZnyT8/s640/P1000307.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Great use of urban space I think!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539170477/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXb_hTUcduOC_LVqmn2rwXNZGmcB-MsXYAx8tfrX28wa_VXyij9cYW8ElSj3bo4K1kmQqe6MNde5Ha9dfo-LW0dL95DmiFfj6YLeZreLsdStQXa9JIsxn9TLFuwiheIdHGpDcwc78hS7o/s640/P1000312.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Paris - Montmartre</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539749336/"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5ZJV_dofQpvUdesN6kceGxXeDHNgv9UWk1yAeEUWjuVfgsLriEGvQvg4cyjgeyXiwpv-A2g169w910e25-q9qlUyKGPHZ1BruGInZrNxiactWj0nU0YoBmPIeiTpnmQOvtS7LRPgenI/s400/P1000314.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Paris - Montmartre</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of the many lovely cafes</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539749112/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6Oq7CV4usEkjYXKXhWEoJEtz5eidP4R5S83YnDAUdtFMIqlpZmcutaa3hjzGGaBLQswh3A7AG54MCPVbeAANZvBYaVZCqt2DNHEMS4HkGqi8UISG1dkhE3XvNKaw28mAzAvI_TuGwd8/s640/P1000321.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paris - Montmartre, Eiffel Tower from Sacre Coeur</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539748422/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7fTY5AKnF7N-3RItaFiNSlIxDKQdBM8TLTTynO62sq642N0WXt89G35EVhSIHtF1yrl-FQ_RXvJqwsxFgLN4ZZE9TSzXvBcHZJLNCFk36nRwDbch8heOZtolD5T2iS-gMwFgM7oluck/s640/P1000346.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paris - Père Lachaise Cemetery</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim Morrison</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539168913/"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq9nohHfYpa0xJq3riZfs3_9OaWOoP_sLoI4OJY54L56NRV0DyU53x5A0zSKIRfbbWyjRxYbrgBt5AJwKFvN5695pLbMIIy7htrfUnIIzFF0-i0TMxgwodU3mti0ZZlTqQivJrXCyMsc/s400/P1000356.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Paris - Père Lachaise Cemetery</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539747876/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhMT4iX6FRdauYi7zAQypmvMmEuYCCnN385RWG802aXThScA2DhSkseWv94a01KpmpfHlPwGMaTSZ0x_qX6QrfCUzf0RvnjcrW06cG9GUCIRgYQXSSNS1NGdsSspz3zczmURokYXc0fc/s640/P1000368.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Paris - Père Lachaise Cemetery</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Oscar Wilde</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539747546/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cmMmBpOINuQDsD9i46tR6XuA4sPLg4XiCe7BPt-0j1qll402Ndn3cykjPSahDqiLozX4FRof9omsP4RFhn7shThCbH75zQyta2fp86PaByysXNcvRurLPIyb3MJRk2fC5UqKgO6Kl4E/s640/P1000372.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Paris - Père Lachaise Cemetery</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Oscar Wilde</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539168019/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF78fPYSb_Hcy7b3KOWEOpxrcbTMfsbPN_bdw9lbD6wXeLQle4aMZwEiv1X1wQD4PypaFKLqdtnac8MSBdclxF31oyTWb4hlxwPcfmhNwR1H8YqcLoRKX2JkhjQqMEicEz295eYlHbfog/s640/P1000386.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Universcience Museum, Paris, Science Fiction Exhibition, R2D2 & C3-PO - originals</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539746608/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzzXTDyYPtnFnHxSHQOfdx8GECuBbUtCWLP-ASTtCdMmT9DsLFM7XmNzJ66eeP0RjYQC0SI97DKlEUip8pMA6IWhVHiLMSQqz0w11NbmVUfqbcDO4k2Q9XVh0enmj0Q0ekMaeJty0vko/s640/P1000405.jpg" width="483" /></a></div>
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<div class="photo-desc" id="description_div5539746608" style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Paris - La Défense</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">“Le pouce” (the thumb), created by French sculptor César Baldaccini. Designed in 1965, weighs 18 tonnes and is 12-meter high.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539167255/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_Cob7qP8gP0kz9yp7wILDYCJH5VIUyEpbR32JkHuyn6FVI79iwfQpFu5CkuLZsmy_HUgb55WOMdgQbTwoDnz8N6IYwGnm7Sm4B79x7BglEvrKsTpRdqXLColgpR9ymq1L-bYe3s7yBU/s640/P1000406.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jewish quarter, Paris</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5539746150/"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwA03xDdeLTumdtTNRtxXI9xOZwXRNpUdLs03n4SgOClwmiPUGaBLyIdAsoDyks7I_xyd5PFqcjTs7q4ElMk86SY5YJujwDtcSjJunjdhqGhJTjFKl5CqCuVpQj2nRKvEKnqQZg6zfmE/s400/P1000409.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parisian Bakery</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px;">Au revoir!</span></span>Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-61774292940652272832011-03-15T09:48:00.000-07:002013-11-22T09:44:41.147-08:00Try Handmade Interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoUfE_pQiGISv0vYTDzpMOmn5sTT0i7StmYbYUSnFaiPEVTdBHeNflZCnsgSINLrI3J6WzRCENQNimsgTKLNh3MJ4RkisnzIPotiN7kCH2ZxT4ZcuTd11nQy_WJPsmH8KHk3fA_djA6c/s1600/TryHandmade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoUfE_pQiGISv0vYTDzpMOmn5sTT0i7StmYbYUSnFaiPEVTdBHeNflZCnsgSINLrI3J6WzRCENQNimsgTKLNh3MJ4RkisnzIPotiN7kCH2ZxT4ZcuTd11nQy_WJPsmH8KHk3fA_djA6c/s400/TryHandmade.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Sunday whilst sipping a cafe au lait and<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><b> </b></span>browsing the web at an internet cafe in Paris, I came across my interview with website 'Try Handmade'. I must have squealed like a five year old child, as everyone in the cafe turned around to look at me with great distaste. This was my first interview, so I was very excited! I would like to thank 'Try Handmade', especially <a href="http://tryhandmade.com/columnists/ellie/">Ellie Thouret</a> for giving me this opportunity and putting together such a nice interview :-) Please see interview <u><a href="http://tryhandmade.com/interview-helen-dalgairns/">here</a></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I go I would like to mention, Alan and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary at the weekend, including my 33rd birthday (yikes!). We celebrated both of these events in Paris, photos will be in my next post :-) Bye for now xxx</span></div>
Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-62466772029427955512011-01-31T14:21:00.000-08:002013-11-22T09:55:20.316-08:00Work in Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5406013926/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYKFhPIh8wYA-o4RSNPpgy172SjrmsLVLM6IZYz9zXxJrqgRMhc47x-zefFoFciCWmJUf7Dk4vyonmSTmkoVluEdOI2dxD79IssPoAU3BFGylS9KKMhQyUzllsJ6zCjo3jz-bk0980cw/s640/WorkProgress.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
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This is a sneek peek of some new artwork. </div>
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The orange cat illustration is titled 'No1 Crazy Cat lady' and I am thinking of reproducing this into a print, greeting card and a tote bag. I know that there are many crazy cat ladies out there but this lady is more crazier than any others. I came to realise that the most committed of crazy cat ladies would probably have the 'No1 Crazy Cat lady' tattooed along their arm.</div>
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Bye for now x</div>
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Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-33505872010323477072011-01-21T14:03:00.000-08:002011-01-22T02:30:27.210-08:00Dear CatDear Cat, I promise......<br />
I will always give you a little kiss on the head everytime I leave the house<br />
I will always jump with joy when I put my keys in the front door and <br />
hear your MEOW! <br />
I will always love you, even when I find a poop in the bath!<br />
I will always make sure you are safe and warm!<br />
I will always make sure when mowing the grass that I leave a bit uncut for chewing on!<br />
I will sometimes let you sleep on my bed.<br />
I will not complain too much when you are malting everywhere!<br />
I will play evil paper ball with you until the newspaper has disapeared<br />
I will tell you when I think your grooming has turned into an obsessive compulsive disorder.<br />
I will tell you when your breath smells!<br />
I will try not to fidget to much, whilst you are a sleep on my lap. <br />
I promise you this much for now.........<br />
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What do you promise your cat?Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2912127819619819849.post-92020103200513208252011-01-17T00:42:00.000-08:002012-10-21T01:54:38.998-07:00An Artist's Studio is Not Complete Without a Cat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5363376140/"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTaUqSDbwWRuTy16ZUjRml4Nbe6a3q5y0sygWFf0XiPeeXheXgxD8gh7QFyzhCdkgX7YJ9zp59IGOTOxhE_uMHDEMg31K4ipKn5aJrF3CaaPjmE09-EeEEgVIM-OG5juMoVy0MSsEPfs/s400/P1000094.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Not everyone will agree with this comment but I think most cat lovers will :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'The Artists Studio is Not Complete Without a Cat' print will soon be available to purchase in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Cattoo">Etsy </a>shop.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cattoo_etsy/5362765357/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDhz6z0rLlTU0tC21HqVWSpuYExk9gTJjBi2eHOvrblU0pA_ewxIrB-c4139MsNqmWL00XxhOhfJZPTPmr-MaRESdkNgyBQPLeVVaD2B1dcNHMVswY0rRm0gv7aHn_AvdhUo_UOMFvuo/s640/The+Artsit+Studio.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bye for now x</span>Nellie and Neohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709881276892366852noreply@blogger.com3