Anna Calvi, Submarine, Cambridge and Christmas shopping

Anna Calvi is the amazing female singer songwriter pictured here whose stunning self-titled album I brought today today whilst on a Christmas shopping trip to Cambridge after just the initial listening I'm completely hooked she's so dark, brooding and yet sincere. The track first we kiss is hypnotic and rythmic, her music is Patti Smithesque combined with more melodic sweeping soundscape arrangements and whispered wails and laments, she also reminds me of a Mysterious David Lynch Heroine/leading lady, and pheonix love child from Diamanda Galas and Nick Cave!  Amazing I shall definitely be listening to this combined with Florence's new album Ceremonials, another epic strong woman fond of strong contrasting colours and not afraid to make a statement!

the official video for "Suzanne and I"

This is Breakdown from the new album ceremonials performed live on the jools holland show

This is a still from the film Submarine (2010).  This was a bargain just £5 on DVD from Fopp, it is a an Indy film I have been wanting to see for ages adapted from the Joe Dunthorne book of the same title. It is about a daring pyromaniac-al girl and an anxiety ridden love-lorn boy. Both of whom are lost and find each other mutually important at that time yet also destructive, they are both struggling to come to terms with relationships, whether through traditional family roles e.g. parents or boyfriends.

It is a really interesting film, that is shot beautifully for anyone who likes a wistful, coming-of-age darkly comic drama!

more amazing fungi and autumnal photographs

Slowly I'm realising that this blog is beginning to evolve into more of an art and photography blog which I am really happy about at the moment as I have found some wonderful opportunities recently to take some great shots of all of the wild fungi that seems to have almost magically popped up everywhere!

If anyone can identify them that would be great!

all of the photos are taken in Suffolk, England during these past few months. (Sept-Nov)

I started to take photographs more as inspiration for paintings and drawings, however these photos are inspiring me to create a much more dimensional piece involving textile practices and mixed media, I will keep you posted!

Recently I have been busy crocheting, particularly since the clocks have changed and now its so dark in the evenings.  The amigurumi Japanese style of crocheting little cute creatures and monsters is what I am aiming for in the next couple of months, hopefully to make something for Xmas presents for various folks........

when I get a little more organised I shall photograph some of what I've been creating but for now here are some photos and links to some fascinating crochet and textile arts sites that I love. 

http://www.castoff.info/wedding.asp

this is a great site for knitted inspiration and cute photos of one couples amazing day!

http://www.imadeyouabeard.com/

beards, craft and art what more could you want!

http://strangedolls.net/

gorgeous handmade slightly gothic looking dolls

http://twinkiechan.com/gallery.php?action=photoset&setid=72157603442665162

fruit and veg all crocheted to fill that wool hunger

a mixed bag of tricks including all things neon!

Bit of an artsy shot here are some of the conkers we collected to keep the spider poulation at bay in the home

a random shot of E.T. geeking it up to the max with his serious new nu-rave hipster look!

my "Diddle" notebook that i keep all my important  musings, thoughts appointments etc. invaluable!

The neon and glittery nailpolishes!

continuing with the stripy theme another notebook, i love the colours in those stripes!

I began writing this post almost a month ago now unfortunately I have been plagues with "technical difficulties" until now however I have been busy taking pictures, painting and furiously crocheting so much to report! this was the original post that i began the other day when i had a bit of a neon day!

It all began with my stripey tights purchased from the 'pound' shop (£1!). . . . . . .

then I decided to use my new 'sleek' range eyeshadow palette in acid, and neon highlighter yellow with bright green glitter.

the photo is taken at the end of the day so the make up has held up really well throughout the day not bad for not having used a primer or anything and through being at work all day! sparkly nails rounded off with a fairly plain black outfit and voila!

I have got some great new pictures of newly aquired exciting houseplants (cacti and venus fly traps) coming up and some other autumnal/wintery scenes!