Monday 27 August 2012

Dreamcast Worlds: A Design History.

It's not often you'll see me post about gaming as I usually have my head stuck in a sketchbook but when I started to read about a old school friend's latest venture - I couldn't not tell you about this!

As you'll know if you've ever tried to write, illustrate or publish a book on any subject, it is a costly and time consuming task. What Zoya has cleverly done is made up several packs at varies different price ranges for interested readers to fund the book for her. So not only does she get the money to back her book, these potential readers are gaining all kinds of great things from a PDF chapter of the book at $5 to a sponsorship deal for $2,500 and there are plenty more packs for a wide range of prices.

A very good deal indeed for everyone involved!


So, what is the book about?

In Zoya's own words..

'Dreamcast Worlds will tell the poignant story of Sega's last games console. It will expand my 30,000-word MA thesis written at the Royal College of Art into a book covering three different Dreamcast games. I take an innovative and unique approach to history, stepping inside the game worlds to tell the story of the Dreamcast through buildings, artefacts and spaces.'

With high interest from enthusiastic backers, from games industry veterans to dedicated retro games collectors over the past seven weeks, the funds raised so have reached over half way, but with only four days left to go there is still a big push needed!

I whole heartedly suggest you get yourself over to http://www.indiegogo.com/dreamcast to find out more and get yourself to the links where you can buy your own slice of this book. Let's make this book happen!

Good luck Zoya!


UPDATE!!
31 August 2012 - Zoya's target of $5000 has now been reached after a nail biting few hours! This means the book will most definitely be going ahead! Here is what Zoya had to say this morning http://www.indiegogo.com/dreamcast?c=activity
Make sure you keep checking the above page as you'll be able to see how the book is progressing and where you may be able to help!! 

Tuesday 14 August 2012

DIY Rotating Goal List.

Just a quick one this morning!

I'm sure I'm not the only who struggles with completing massive to-do lists. Seeing this fantastic blog post courtesy of Cornflower Blue made me realise I need to try something new!

Sooo this is my version:

It does have another row of post-its but they have top secret information on them!! :) 


What do you think? What tricks do you have to get through those pesky ever growing lists?

Off for a nosey at everyone elses Handmade Monday offerings :) XX

Monday 13 August 2012

American Birds.

I've been back from the States a couple of months now, so this is a well over due post!!

I absolutely LOVE birds so I could wait to get bird hunting while over in New Jersey, New York and Washington DC!

I don't know all the names of these birds so if you do or know anyone that does, please let me know as I'm very curious to find out more about them!! :)

Blue Jay.
Blue Jay.


Rusty Blackbird.
Rusty Blackbird.
House Sparrows.
Starling.

Swans.
Northern Mockingbird.

Northern Mockingbird.

Red-Winged Blackbird.

Laughing Gull.

Turkey Vulture.

Turkey Vulture.


American Robin.

Gray Catbird.

Northern Mockingbird.

House Sparrow.

House Sparrow.
Purple Martins.
Purple Martin.
Great Egret.
Great Egret.


A Family of Ducks and Ducklings in the War Memorials in Washington DC.
:) XX

Tuesday 7 August 2012

These Better Days Are Shining Through.

HELLO HELLO HELLOO!

Well, if you saw my last post a couple of months ago, you will know I was really struggling with work, food and life in general. I took some time out of creating and networking and spent time focusing on my diet, finding a job and I went across the World to visit my sister.

I have to take this opportunity to thank everyone that left me comments and messages of support. It really helped to know that I am not the only person going through what I have been. Sometimes when you get into a rut and feel so low, you start to think if that is how it will always be, that you're weird because everyone else just gets on with things, that it's a mind over matter problem that you can't seem to shake. It's reassuring that it's not just me!

So ....  THE GOOD NEWS!

I finally acquired full time work! I literally went from working between 4 and 12 hours a week to working almost 40 hours a week over night. I was incredibly low and didn't feel like I had a lot to be happy about. I went from no routine that caused me a lot of problems to a fixed routine around my full time work that has solved so many of the problems that I had food wise, mentally and socially.

I went to America for the third time in June! I went out to see my sister and we visited New York (again!), Washington DC and indulged in some very relaxing days down in Cape May. We even got to spend some time with the gorgeous twins she looks after - I never realised two year olds could be full of so much character! It is was an amazing trip and when I came back, I felt so relaxed and ready to start the new chapter in my life.

I've been busy over the last couple of weeks painting a canvas for my friends wedding gift and also made them a lovely card. It was so nice to crack out the paints and get creative again! On top of that I'm starting to work on my business again and hope to have it up and running in a months time .... WATCH THIS SPACE!! :)

I have had an amazing few weekends with my best friends hen do in Manchester, meeting a rather nice man and celebrating at my friends wedding this weekend. I feel like things are going in the right direction for the first time in a very long time.

I won't bore you with anymore rambling, instead I'll show you what I've been making ...






I'm off to catch up on what's going on over at Handmade Monday before a day of drawing fairies and birds :)

Happy Tuesday! XX