Laura Lea; an Illustrated life.

I suck at finishing anything.

2011-05-25T04:27:00.000-07:00

I have completely failed at the 30 day challenge and really I have no excuses, I am home all day long and instead of attending to my blog I just sit around drawing or watch Jeremy Kyle.

I have actually been trying to get organised so I can sell some things on Etsy, I have been drawing on Shrinky Dinks alot and attempting to sew a little.

But mainly, I've been watching TV.

A few drawings

2011-04-20T11:02:00.000-07:00

I found my camera cord.

2011-04-18T05:19:00.000-07:00

Update on what I am wearing today, I found my camera cord.

Day 10 – What you wore today

2011-04-18T05:06:00.000-07:00

Day 10 – What you wore today
I cannot find my camera cord so basically mash all the pictures together and thats what I am wearing today.

I am in serious need of retail therapy. I have barely any clothes since moving to England and its distressing. I also do not have much money at the moment since the only income coming into our little house is from my girlfriends job. I have been looking on ebay to find some bargains but everyone else wants cute things too so it all ends up being too expensive for me. I need to quit looking at fashion blogs and clothing websites, its all a bit depressing!

Day 09 – Your beliefs

2011-04-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

Day 09 - Your beliefs:
I am a atheist, I believe in science and knowledge. I think everyone should strive to find out as much information as humanly possible and not just rest when its easy and comfortable. I respect people's beliefs but I don't think they are something that should rule our justice system, our schools or a human rights (ie. gay marriage/womans freedom). If it makes you sleep easier at night pretending there is a "god" watching over us so be it, that is not my belief and I do not think anyone has the right to preach. There is enough information for me to make a intelligent view on the world and see that there is no logical way someone could of just created this world, this universe and all the species that reside here.
I am definitely not on the fence about this. I think there is good and bad people and religion does not have anything to do with that.

Day 08 – Origin of your Blogger name

2011-04-13T02:55:00.000-07:00

Day 08 – Origin of your Blogger name
Well, its just my name, except I spelt my first name how its pronounced.
Its pretty simple really!

Day 07 – Your best friend

2011-04-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

Day 07 – Your best friend

Firstly, there is ultimate best friend, Alex. I have known her since I was 18, we first started talking at a night club we used to frequent. The moment I started talking to her I trusted and loved her. The first night we met I basically spilled my guts and heart to her and instead of being freaked out my this she was the most wonderful person to me, and still is. She is the one who I can talk to about ANYTHING, she is the one I go to when I need advice or just someone to rant to. She is beautiful and smart (both much more than I am) and she is the most accepting person I have ever met. I honestly couldn't say a bad word about her except maybe she underestimates herself and doesn't see how impeccable she is!
She currently lives in Sydney and I wish she lived here with me. I haven't seen her for almost a year and I miss her so much.

Secondly, there is Louisa. She has to be the funniest person I know. We can make a trip to the supermarket hilarious and great. Even eating sandwiches with her is a adventure full of laughs and deliciousness. She also lives in Australia (in Melbourne) and I constantly wish she was here so we could go to thrift stores and do crafts together. I haven't known Louisa as long as I've known Alex but I trust her with my soul and I know she is a amazing friend who I will know for the rest of my life. Its very hard to look at photos of her life because I feel like I should be with her having a good time. She is very talented at multiple things including dressmaking and embroidery and she is also loyal and kind hearted and beautiful.

Day 06 – Your pets

2011-04-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

Day six:
I only have one pet, a rabbit named Theodore. I grew up in Queensland, Australia and rabbit are illegal there (unless you are a magician) so when I moved back to the UK I knew I wanted to get a rabbit because they are small and adorable. He chews everything which can be quite frustrating but he is very loving and friendly and mostly he just entertains me. I love watching him prance around with bits of food and happily hop around the room. He is only six months old and we are starting to think he might want a friend in the house. I personally would LOVELOVELOVE a puppy, I'm not too sure if Theodore would like this option so much so we will most likely get another bunny or maybe a kitten.
But I do really want a puppy. Either a chow chow or a english sheepdog.

Whoops!

2011-04-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

Ok so I've had a busy few days & I haven't had enough spare time to do the 30 day challenge, so I'll bunch the ones I've missed all in one! I was quite busy on Friday, I had to take Theodore to the vet for a check up and I also had a interview at UCA about the course I want to do, the guy who interviewed me said he liked my drawings and that he thought I shouldn't have any trouble getting in, I should find out sometime next week FINGERS CROSSED! Also Dan came to visit yesterday so I was busy being a good host by making pimms, it would of been rude to leave and blog!

My Parents; My parents are named Lynne and Andrew, they married when they were young and my mother had her first child Tony when she was 19, a year before my parents wed. It was seven years from my oldest brother being born until my parents had another child, my brother Robert, then two years later I was born. The last and only girl. We lived in England (my mother is from Birmingham, my Dad from Kent) until I was 5 and a half years old and then we moved to Australia. My mothers sister had fallen in love with a Australian and moved here before we followed suit. My parents have had ups and downs but they are still together and as far as I know neither has strayed from their marriage. We are quite different, my mother is a bit of a roller coaster but extremely loving, my father a quiet sort who loves to read and enjoys shows about dogs. I love my parents even if we do argue alot. I think our relationship has improved quite dramatically since I've been older which is good.

What I ate today; Today I have had a piece of fish and some chips, a orange and 3 cups of coffee.

My Day; My aunt and uncle came around in the morning and took me to get some dirt for my garden and also gave us a breadmaker. Dan left around midday since then I have been sitting on the couch playing spyro and now I'm waiting for 'My neighbour Totoro' to start so I can watch that. I might have a nap later.

There I'm all caught up. I will try to find time to do this everyday!

Day two; my current relationship

2011-04-07T02:58:00.000-07:00

Day two;
Well this one is easy and a joy to write about. I am currently dating a beautiful girl named Beccy, we've been dating for a little over a year and we live together. We have never had a fight, which may seem weird but there just isn't anything to fight over, she's always supportive and there for me, she does the dishes if I ask and even when she is super crabby she still smiles for me.
She makes me very happy and I enjoy hanging out with (which is lucky because since moving to England we basically have no friends!) I like getting drunk and dancing silly with her and I also just like watching tv with her, or laying in bed playing cards. She never bores me or irritates me.
Its a really easy relationship and I know we make each other happy and content. She is extremely forgetful which can bug me at times but its easily forgiven, especially when she surprises me with flowers or candy.
We met at work and became friends very quickly, I can't remember our first real conversation we were both drunk at works christmas party, I just remember having a good time with her and instantly liking her.
We then hung out a fair bit and at her birthday party in January (last year) we hooked up a little bit and she told me she had a big fat crush on me. We started seeing each other exclusively at the end of the month and have spent everyday together since (except for 6 weeks when I was here in England and she was waiting for her visa).
Basically she makes everyday fun and I look forward to our time together and I can't imagine what it would be like to be here without her, I think it would be very hard. She brings light and love into my life, I'm a VERY lucky lady to have her.
It can be hard and annoying to deal with being stereotyped or discriminated against because of the relationship I'm in, I despise when rude straight men think it is ok to comment on it. Neither of us are butch or the "man" of the relationship, and our private life effects noone else bar us.
I hope I have many happy years to look forward to with one of the most amazing, beautiful, witty lady.

Day one; 10 facts.

2011-04-06T04:50:00.000-07:00

Day 1. Ten facts about yourself.

1. I am twenty four years old and I moved back to England last year after a very long separation (eleven years) from my home country. I moved back because Australia just wasn't cutting the mustard anymore for me, I wanted adventures and to see the world a bit more and also because a large portion of my family are here and I missed them.

2. I really like to peel things, apples mainly, I find something so satisfying about it and it really annoys me when a peeler isn't good quality.

3. I am creative, I like to draw and make things. Even if it's something easy like cookies or drawing a table, I just like to keep that part of my brain constantly working.

4. I live with my girlfriend who is amazing. She moved to England with me, we had only been dating for roughly five months when I left, I asked her to come with me because it felt right to be with her and I didn't want it to end. She got a visa and followed me over here two months later. She makes me very happy.

5. I have a pet rabbit named Theodore, he is wonderful most days! He follows me around the house all day long and he lays at my feet whilst I watch tv or do the dishes. He is very loving and cute, which definitely compensates when he is naughty and chews things he isn't supposed to like wires, shoes, clothes, the carpet or plants I am growing.

6. I am REALLY good at tetris. I have mad skills at it. I can easily finish it and beat everyone I know.

7. I have been gardening this year for the first time in my life and I LOVE it! I have been able to grow things from seeds and it fills me with pure joy to see them sprout and grow!

8. I can be very selfish, I like things to happen on my time schedule and I can often not call or write or even show up to things because I don't feel like going or I can't be bothered. This is probably my biggest flaw.

9. I adore things like Hello Kitty and Doraemon. I like to collect anything with Hello Kittys face on it, I have things like toasters, phones, bags, shirts, underwear, pajamas, ect. Most of my hello kitty belongings are in Australia in my parents spare bedroom.

10. I have a ebay addiction. I can spend HOURS looking things up on there. I just like to window shop mainly but I also like to buy things. Anything really. If its in my price range and cute I will most likely buy it without thinking. This addiction got reaaaaallly bad a while back and I had to quit Ebay cold turkey (I was getting like 5-10 packages a day, whoops) It is alot easier for me not to buy things at the moment since I'm unemployed but I still buy something at least once a week. Maybe more.

30 day challenge for myself.

2011-04-06T04:15:00.000-07:00

30 Day Challenge

I have decided I want to do this, mainly because I think it will give me something to do during the day and also make me better at blogging. I will probably forget about or run out of enthusiasm for it after three days but here goes.

Day 01 – 10 facts about yourself
Day 02 – Your current relationship
Day 03 – Your parents
Day 04 – What you ate today
Day 05 – Your day
Day 06 – Your pets
Day 07 – Your best friend
Day 08 – Origin of your Blogger name
Day 09 – Your beliefs
Day 10 – What you wore today
Day 11 – Your siblings
Day 12 – What’s in your bag
Day 13 – This week
Day 14 – 10 favorite things
Day 15 – Your dreams
Day 16 – A photo of you as a child
Day 17 – Your favorite childhood memory
Day 18 – Your favorite birthday
Day 19 – Something you regret
Day 20 – Five things you want to say to five different people
Day 21 – Best job you’ve ever had
Day 22 – 10 things that bother you
Day 23 – Your home
Day 24 – Your hobbies
Day 25 – What you wore today
Day 26 – Your fears
Day 27 – Your favorite place
Day 28 – Something that you miss
Day 29 – Your aspirations
Day 30 – This month

tumblr

2011-04-05T03:44:00.000-07:00

I made a tumblr just before. I may be jumping on the band wagon a tad slowly, oh well.
I have a interview at a uni on friday, I need a portfolio so I have made a small handmade book and I'm just going to draw and collage a bunch of stuff and hope they like it. I'm going to take my sketchbook along as well just incase.
Unfortunately its not my first preference course but its still a predegree one and the nice lady who emailed me about it said they will be able to help me get to the illustrators course after I finish this one. Its only a year part time.
Totes do-able.
I have the house to myself all day all week now that Beccy has a job. Its good for our purses but its bad for my sanity. I just sit around listening to sad music and draw stupid pictures. I need some friends or something to do during the day other than the washing up!
I need a new DS, mine is dead meat, if it worked properly then I could just play pokemon all day and I wouldn't even notice the time slowly ticking by!

2011-03-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

Photos of sketchbooks get me so excited. Actually any type of stationary gets me excited, I seriously spend at least 3hrs a week looking at stationary. It is a very not so secret passion of mine. I would and could easily spend all my money on stationary. The smell of new books is a serious source of joy for me.

I've been working on a submission for a competition here, its for a hand drawn calendar for next year. Also side note, that website spotlighted me as a member, I feel very very honored by that. Other than my friends saying they like my drawings I've never really received any sort of acknowledgement so its really sweet for someone to publicly like my drawings. Its makes me happy!

Earlier this week I applied for a predegree course at a university near me, its kind of a broad array of subjects but it covers everything I would like to study (drawing! print making! graphic design! painting!) I have my fingers and toes crossed that I get in. I would be incredibly poor but very happy, plus if I get in I will have the best excuse for buying stationary! :)

Projects

2011-03-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to be creative and I've been sewing some of my drawings into some fabric I have. I think if I like them when they are finished I'm going to try and sell them, most likely on etsy.
Today Beccy started a new job and I'm home alone for the first time in forever, its kind of lonely. I'm just watching silly tv shows about gardening and doing some housewife things like the dishes and laundry. I'm also doing my sewing and later I might make some magnets. I don't want to waste this free time I have so I'm trying to be productive and not just sit on the couch playing kingdom hearts.
Here is a little sneak peek at my half sewn drawings;

Things I do when I can't sleep.

2011-03-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

My sleeping pattern is all topsy turvey at the moment. Its almost 4am and I'm not even slightly tired, so me and Beccy have decided to do a all-nighter and try to remain awake until its time to sleep tomorrow (today)
We haven't done too much, we are currently watching beauty and the geek and making coffee in our room, also I made some pretty amazing pictures in paint.Which I plan to do many more off.

Theodore; the menace.

2011-02-05T07:56:00.000-08:00

Because of ^ that extremely cute menace I haven't been able to scan anything for over two weeks, or charge my phone. He chews EVERYTHING! With cords being his favourite thing to destroy. So we had to buy a new cord for the scanner. Beccy bought me a moleskine for my birthday last year and I've only recently started using it because I have emotional realationships with my sketchbooks and I feel like I'm disappointing them if I start using a new one and start ignoring the old ones.So today I scanned quite a bit, from all different books. you can see them all on my flickr if you'd like.

2011-01-16T03:57:00.000-08:00

I want a haircut. Or perhaps just some nicer hair. I cannot DO anything with the wavy mess I have.

a few photos.

2010-12-30T07:02:00.000-08:00

I've been on a decorating rampage lately. I want to decorate everything! I have started with our bookcase, I'm adding a bit of pride to our living room. Its still in progress but, I think its looking quite nice so far!
Theodore is amazing, everyone should have a bunny as a pet I think. His face is far too adorable and when he's happy he jumps in the air and clicks his heels together, literally jumping with joy. Its enough to make me forgive and forget all the wires he's chewed and destroyed!
I really need to do laundry but I'd much rather spend my time looking online at other peoples decorated rooms!

2010-12-28T11:39:00.000-08:00

These are my very best friends.

I love the snow

2010-11-30T05:57:00.001-08:00

The night we found a kitten.

2010-11-17T02:57:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday night me and Beccy (Beccy and I?) went to the corner store to purchase some ciggarettes and outside the door there was this tiny little cat, she wouldn't of been even a year old and she was so skinny, you could easily see her bones and spine! Noting that she was obviously a stray (or if she did have a owner they were not the type of people who deserve a pet) we took her home, she was very stinky but very friendly and very very cold. We decided since it was late at night in the morning we would call the Cats protection or RSPCA to come and help her & if possible we would keep her.
So basically we tried to feed her and all she could manage to get down her poor starved throat was some milk, which after hours of trying to feed her we were happy with because we figured at least shes getting some sort of nutrition! But then....! in our makeshift litter tray she starting pooping out blood, alot of it too. We were up pretty much the whole night worrying and in the morning as soon as we could we rung every animal place possible, the RSPCA came and took her to the vets. I'm not sure if shes ok or not, I hope so but, it just makes me wonder: why had noone helped her before? Why did every other jerk at the corner store just ignore her? It's a shame that in this world people can't be bothered to take a night out of their lives to save a animal.
It really wasn't that difficult of a task for us to call the RSPCA and if someone had helped her sooner then she probably wouldn't of had medical problems.

As of late

2010-10-17T04:22:00.000-07:00

I haven't been doing much for the past two weeks, I've been working and thats about it. I've barely been drawing because after three months of unemployment bliss my body has gone into shock of actually having to do something during the day. We hopefully (fingers crosses) should be moving into our own place in two weeks time, the walls are bare and a boring white shade and we've been told we will be allowed to paint them, as long as the real estate approves our colour choices. It was my birthday last wednesday, my Aunty got me a bunch of canvases and paints, it was a perfect pressent! On friday I had a day off and I started a few paintings, I'm going to try and either finish them today or start some new ones. All I've been drawing this month is either fish or people, people in magazines mainly, heres a few:

Supernanny

2010-09-26T03:33:00.000-07:00

I am in love with Supernanny, I want to marry her. I think me and Jo Jo would be very happy! We could drive around in her taxi, snuggling in the back.

sealife

2010-09-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, whilst in Brighton with Beccy enjoying a lovely long weekend (full of booze, sleep-ins and a glorious amounts of delicious food) we went to Sealife. It's quite a amazing aquarium, they have sea turtles, sharks, a sting-ray (I don't think it was the culprit who killed Steve Irwin), baby manta rays, clown fish, basically everything you would imagine living under the sea (insert the little mermaid tune).

I couldn't help but stare at all the fishes face, round eyes, scales and what-not, it got my drawing fingers all juicy! So expect alot of underwater ugly coming at you blog, like so:

Hello.

2010-09-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

This Blog is about me. My name is Laura, I reside in Kent, England, current living situation: my girlfriend and I live with my cousin and her husband. I enjoy very cute things and drawing. One day (soon I hope) I would like to make money from such things. I've actually been thinking long and hard about doing a floristry course; roughly I spent about 30mins on such thought whilst making bouquets for my cousins wedding. I think it would be a beautiful life to lead surrounded by flowers, plus it wouldn't destroy drawing and painting for me but I'd still get to be creative. Win/Win really.
I plan to post pictures I've drawn, cute things I've seen & stuff I've made with my own bare hands (and sometimes a oven) for example, heres a picture I drew for my dearest friend Louisa: