Rockabilly Worldwide... Part 2

So, after blogging about the new on-line community "Rockabilly Worldwide" the other week, I thought I'd write a little update on how I was finding it after being a member for a while. 

Well I'm sad to say, I've deleted my account!

After signing up a little over a fortnight ago, I've been disappointed with the amount of activity on the site. There was very few discussions relating to anything other than bands, making it near impossible to join in if you only enjoy the music and don't actually play in a band.

And a lot of women seem to use it as a tool to upload their photo's (for likes) Which I have no problem with (I do love a pretty pin-up) but photo's on there own with no information/details/personality, why not just get a tumblr account or similar? It felt a little like some of them were creating an account to say "Look at me" and that's about it!

The amount of companies spamming discussion boards with advertisements got a little to much to handle as well!

It did start to remind me of the Myspace days, collecting a load of random "friends" to look cool, but never actually speaking to any of them.

I am definitely disappointed, I really wanted this site to be successful. Maybe it will once it's been up and running for a while and I'll keep an eye on it, but for now I won't be going back :(

  

Pumpkin Pie

So... as we've been bombarded with all things American just lately, what with the Presidential election and people finally starting to celebrate Halloween in style (as the Americans do) And of course the coverage of the horrific and devastating super storm Sandy, America has been in my thoughts a lot. 

 This year instead of just carving funny faces into pumpkins then throwing them away the day after Halloween, I thought I'd get into the spirit of things and go all American with a spot of baking 

...And what could get more American than Pumpkin Pie?!

After searching on-line for a recipe I found one on the Sainsbury's website, one that seemed easy enough that a baking novice like myself couldn't mess it up!


INGREDIENTS

• 1 Medium Pumpkin
• 3 Tablespoons of Sugar
• 3 Eggs
• 250ml Full Fat Milk
• 125ml Evaporated Milk
• Pinch of Nutmeg 
• Half a Teaspoon of Mixed Spice

There was a recipe for the pastry case, but I bought a ready made one... I'm not that much into the spirit of baking that I'm going to attempt my own!

Anyway, after chopping and simmering the pumpkin for 20 minutes I mashed it and then added all the ingredients together, poured the mixture into the ready made sweet pastry case and cooked on a low heat until the pie was set. 

THE TASTE TEST

Not what I was expecting!

I don't know what I thought it was going to taste like, but it didn't taste like I'd imagined.

It's egg custard with a slightly strange (but nice) taste to it

I do love egg custard! :)

Anyway, here's a photo of the results. Obviously Instagramed to "pretty it up"

If there is any Americans who happen upon this blog, please feel free to share your recipes and tips for Pumpkin Pie. It was yummy, but not that "pumpkiny", Maybe I didn't choose the right recipe. 

All advice is more than welcome :)

xxx

 

  

Rockabilly Worldwide

I discovered this while on facebook the other night, it might be worth a look.

It's a new online social networking site, aimed at all things "Billy"

rockabillyworldwide.com

I've already signed up, as I'm always interested in sites that aim to promote Rockabilly, Psychobilly and Kustom Kulture in general. Or just give people like me a home to meet and chat to like minded people. Where I live this subculture is virtually unheard of, so I find it difficult to meet people with similar interests.   

As for registering, it was so easy... it took me about 5 minutes. The amount of personal information you have to use is minimal too. 

So far there are around 500 members worldwide, not bad going really to say it's only just been set up.

I can remember I joined an online community pretty similar to this one a few years back, it started well but after a few months vanished (apparently due to lack of users) 

But fingers crossed this site will have more success and be around for a long time to come :)  

The Jim Jones Revue

I totally forgot...

To kick off gig season, last Friday me and my better half went along to see The Jim Jones Revue at The Plug in Sheffield.

This is only the second time I've seen them but they're fast becoming one of my favourite bands. Even though the venue is badly laid out and slightly cramped to say the least, they completely blew the roof off! Even the gang of bratty girls who were more preoccupied showing off their dance moves to each other, and the small "technical" issues at the start of their set couldn't spoil it for me... They were fantastic!

Instead of waffling on trying to describe their sound to you all, here's a video from their new album "The Savage Heart"-

Cracking isn't it?!

If I'm completely honest I do still prefer their debut album, but maybe after a few more plays I'll have warmed to this one just as much :)

This is a Little Richard cover they recorded for their earlier album "Burning Your House Down"

Anyhow, I think you all get the message... These are an amazing band, who not only play some rather splendid music, but they know how to put on a cracking show too!

The man himself-

I know these aren't the clearest of shots, but being this close  there is an upside to tiny venues... 

Post Degree Work

These are the first 2 pieces of work I've made since graduating. 
Even though they're not hugely different in style or meaning I've found these 2 pieces a lot more relaxing and enjoyable to make. 

I'm putting this down to me not having to explain myself or explain the choice of words, colours, font I've used. Also being able to take my time creating them and not having to work to a deadline. 

Even though I loved art college, the constant justification of every decision I made was getting a little too much.

Sometimes I have no obvious reasons for liking something or choosing to use it in my work... I see it or think it and use it because I love it! 

 The first piece I made "Some Secrets Should Never Be Told" is in the Ransom letter style which I've been using for a while. I found the base pattern for the font in "Twisted Stitches" By Phil Davison, then tweaked each letter and changed the colours around.  The meaning behind this links in with my final degree show where I'd hand stitched secrets taken from my personal diaries. Even though I have a habit of being too "open" I still do have secrets I want to keep hidden... much to the dislike of the tutors marking my work! I think it also resonates with many people, admit it... we all have skeletons! Secrets that could change lives if they ever got out!

If you haven't already, buy it! It's a brilliant book full of dark, fun and creepy patterns... It's the best £13 I've spent.

My second piece is a new font I've been working on, it's a direct copy from a font chart I found in a mumsy cross stitch magazine. I really wanted to just sit and sew this time around, not have to concentrate on altering and designing new patterns, but just enjoy the process of stitching. Which I did!

It hasn't got the same impact as my previous pieces so perhaps I wont use it again, but never the less I had fun doing it :)

The phrase is how I feel more often than I'd like to admit! 

Even when someone makes me mad or upsets me I stay calm on the outside but can feel my emotions bubbling up on the inside. Maybe it's politeness or because I'm scared of confrontation, I don't know? But stitching this piece definitely helped get out some frustrations! 

Even though my degree is over I can imagine I'll still carry on producing work like this, its proving to be a very therapeutic way of dealing with issues I'd normally bury.


On both of these pieces I've used a 14 count Aida and regular embroidery thread... 
It is normal practice to iron the fabric when you've finished, but I REALLY hate ironing! 

xxx

Pug Pants

Now I'm not about to start making posting pictures of my underwear a regular habit, but...
  
Look at these!

Aren't they just the cutest pair of pants you've ever seen?

I just had to share :)

They cost me £4 from TopShop.

The worst thing is I can never wear them. It looks like they're proving very popular as they only had 3 pairs left, and none of them in my size... These are a size 8, it was either buy these or   have none at all!

So, it looks like these are going in a frame!

Delusions of attractiveness

I now know I'm not a model!

After recently entering an on-line modelling competition, I can't help but think I'm being a little ambitious... and slightly deluded.

I've never done any type of modelling before, let alone something which will be heavily publicised on a large Rockabilly/Psychobilly clothing website. But yesterday afternoon I found myself sat in front of my laptop uploading pictures to send to them. Its not that I've changed my mind and don't want the job, I do, desperately! But really, what was I thinking?

I wouldn't say I'm that hideous to look at, but some of these girls that have entered are absolutely stunning, amazing figures, cute as a button faces all accentuated by their fabulous professional photographs. 

Some girls on the other hand seem to have plenty of Facebook friends willing to spam the pages of all of their friends to get them votes. Sadly I don't, so I'm at the mercy of the the public! Currently I'm middling which I suppose isn't too bad, considering all I've offered up is a few average holiday snaps! 

Now don't get me wrong, I don't expect to win but the thought of coming last fills me with dread! 

I've never had a great deal of confidence for reasons I won't get into in this particular blog, but over the years my self esteem seems to have improved, or so I thought. 

It wasn't until the company had uploaded my photo's that it dawned on me that I'm far from equipped to deal with the overly harsh and sometimes brutal criticism that often gets handed out by complete strangers on Facebook. 

But more than that, it's knowing that the people I work with have seen me enter, and fail. 

It's the thought of people thinking I'm vain and above my station that upsets me the most.

The people I have to work with are less imaginative to say the least when it comes to their style of dress, and to say that I stick out like a sore thumb would be an understatement! Me, along anybody else who differs from "the crowd" are seen as less than attractive and undesirable. So for me to fail this competition in full view of all of them will be more then a massivive embarrassment!

It's done now anyway, there's nothing I can do about it and like I mentioned earlier... as long as I don't come last I suppose I'll survive all of this!

My photographs are out there another month for all to see... I might see if I can book some time off work until the competition's over! 

xxx