Lost Aussie on the loose

Illustration Friday - Artificial

Behind the scenes I am doing some boring Video chores, so while files were rendering and I was twiddling my thumbs I decided to "play" a little and create an entry for Illustration Friday.  Their theme this week is Artificial.  I think my Vintage Manga Mamma meets the criteria and it was fun to cook up a little bit of silliness.

For the Love of HTML

I'm busy cleaning out my "digital closet" as it were - refashioning the Lost Aussie website and trying to pull a whole load of disparate objects into one cohesive place.

It's not proving to be such and easy chore and I really do not like to CODE at all - being blond enough to leave that to the professionals - having said that, it seems like with a modicum of effort, tooth grinding and copious quantities of self chastisement, it can be done - with the aid of Photoshop and Dreamweaver.

Ergo you see the baby steps above, all designed and "sliced" and ready to be hotlinked, FTP'd and whatever else before the site goes live.

Several years ago I paid copious quantities of money to a Web Designer "wanna be" to revamp the LA website.  I may as well have thrown money down the toilet for all the satisfaction I gained from that adventure.  At least this time I know that what I see is what I get!

All About Eleven

A month ago my Husband climbed into bed, arranged himself and whatever he was doing, fidgeted for a while and when the clock turned past twelve looked at me and said:

"Have you forgotten something?"

I looked around, found the the four cats, eyeballed the dog asleep on the mat and noted that my phone was next to the bedside table.....and said

"No, I don't think so"

He proceeded to harrupmph and hurrah and said...

"well it's our wedding anniversary!!!"

"Hmmm" I said, somewhat confused.  "Well OK, if you think it is, then I'm sorry I have forgotten"

I then went through many mentally anguished moments before realizing that really, no, it could not be!
I even went and rummaged through our dresser draw and found the good old wedding certificate to PROVE that I had not forgotten the date.........which just happened to be a month hence!

SO....my Darling, first in, best dressed......HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.....HAPPY ELEVEN years....and because I am awake and have beaten you to it, will leave you with these thoughts....

The Significance of Number Eleven

11 is double digit and is therefore considered a Master or Power Number. In Numerology - 11 represents impractical idealism, visionary, refinement of ideals, intuition, revelation, artistic and inventive genius, avant-garde, androgynous, film, fame, refinement fulfilled when working with a practical partner.

Eleven brings the gift of spiritual inheritance, is gifted as the "Light-Bearer". It is the number of the Light within all. Strengthened by the love of Peace, gentleness, sensitivity and insight. Greatest facility is the awareness of Universal relationship. Is related to the energy of Oppositions and the Balancing needed in order to achieve synthesis.

Eleven is The PeaceMaker...

Enuff said............ I love you!

Dancing with the Diva

 

Today's been one of THOSE days....  I've been playing with "la dame" Adobe and upgrading my Mac and Windows computers to the new CS5 Suite. 
I'd like to say the installs have all gone without a hitch but, well, that would be a lie.  Between the updates of the new software, reinstalling all my plug-ins and having to re-license stuff to plug back in to the plug-ins ............ it's probably not far short of the sort of fun you anticipate when you go to the Dentist!

You would think that Beta testing for these guys would get you some kind of star points and head's up but truth be told it doesn't.  

I think my next Beta testing recommendation will be for a Magic Upgrade button, where you get to grandfather everything in and keep all the preference settings you have so laboriously compiled in your old and well loved version.

Having said that.......... I ADORE CS5!  Puppet Warp, Content Aware Scaling and the new Painting Tools are totally delicious!

Happy Mail Day

Recently when I was in NYC and visiting at the Apple store I decided that I would treat myself to a new iPhone cover.  Sad to say I was disappointed in all the ones that were to be had - boring and dull to say the least.   #1 Son did however buy a case and with it came a coupon and a note saying where it came from.  So, ferret me, decided to check it out and lo and behold it turned out that I could upload my own artwork and design my own phone cover.

And...........pointing left, that's exactly what I did last Wednesday and I am very pleased with my new, super dooper original phone cover which arrived today.

So, check it out at GET UnCommon and perhaps you will have your own art gracing the cover of your phone soon too!

I've actually submitted this design to add to their artist gallery for public choice, so I will keep my fingers crossed and see if it gets accepted!

Not only did the UPS man bring my phone cover today but the Mail Lady brought me a lovely package from my friend Christine in Germany.  She and I have been friends now for many years, but she is also a student in my current Digital Magic Online Class.  Her package was filled with goodies, art and a lovely message (written in English!) and was a lovely treat!  So Thank You, Sweet Friend!

A Big Splash

We are currently on our way to Toronto so that we can watch Manchester United play an exhibition match against the Celtics tomorrow.

Along the way we stopped off to check out Niagra Falls.  Last night we ate dinner overlooking the Falls and were treated to the summer fireworks show that was nothing short of spectacular.  This morning after the haze had burned off, the view was incredible.

I had to twist a few arms to arrange for the stop (not quite adolescent male stuff) but I think in the end, even they were impressed!

In the Moment

New York, On the Train...........

Illio Friday - Diary

It's ages since I contributed to Illustration Friday and I guess a day late and a dollar short, but better late than never!

This week's topic is Diary.

I have been busy with my sons arriving from Australia and continuing to work on my online classes, which are going like gang busters.

If you want to sign up for the next session then I suggest you do not wait. There are limited spaces left and I will close registration soon!

Real or Perceived?

Several years ago, before the advent of digital scrapping and Elements/Photoshop became a popular tool to use,I was trying to make my mark in the world of mixed media and pixel pushing - someone said to me that "digital art" was not "real art"...

I lived with that statement for a long time before deciding  that I would make my way in the world of digital art, regardless.

Funny how the worm turns.

Another Journey

In a few short hours the Boys will be winging their way from Australia to the US.  They have been doing this since they were 10 and 12 - traveling around the globe by themselves - kind of scary really, when you think that some adults find the thought of a trip from New York to Florida to be a big event and they count frequent flier miles like buttons on a plate!

David, at 16, has even managed to do his own (and his elder brother's) online check-in tonight.

It's heartwarming to see them so independent and at the same time I see them needing me less and less.

All part of their life journey I guess......
Regardless, I shall still worry until I see them front and center at Terminal 4 on Thursday!

Godspeed Little (Big) Men!
xoxo