Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everybody!
Unfortunately I can't go trick or treating this year, because I am busy with school work, but I'll be going to the cinema to see Quantum of Solace this evening - I'll give a review at the weekend.
If you're doing anything over halloween, I'd love to hear!




In other news, this blog got accepted to BuyBlogReviews. They have loads of opportunities, all I need to do is "bid" on an offer, and if they like my blog and my price, I'm accepted and getting paid. Payment is sent every two weeks to Paypal.

It's Snowing in October!

It snowed last night, at about 9-11pm. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it, and I am so thrilled! However, I accidentally deleted the photos I took last night, but I have one from this morning- unfortunately it's all ice.

In 2006, it snowed on February 8th, and now it's snowing in October? Before Halloween? Still, I'm not complaining- I hope it snows some more closer to Christmas!

Fun Craft Projects for the Christmas Season

We're starting to enter the commercial christmas season, and all the shops are determined to get you spending. But it's possible to set the christmas atmosphere without the expense. Here are some fun and free christmas projects on the web, targeted at crafters of any ability.

Make a corkboard display - link
This helpful and detailed guide gives you tips on how to make your own moodboard or photoboard. Making a display board is very fun, and it's a nice way to display your life in pictures. I have my own board, filled with models, people I aspire to, things that make me laugh, and postcards from places I've visited.

Knit a scarf - link
With knitting becoming more and more popular, it is very easy to find a pattern online and knit something. But if you're new to knitting, it might be easier to start with a simple project- such as a scarf. And your friends will appreciate the warmth over the winter, too!

Windowsill Critters - link
These cute critters are easy to make and help keep the temperature up- they will be a popular gift, but you might not want to give them away!

No-Sew Sachets - link
Sachets are easy to make, and filled up with fragrances and tied with festive ribbons, will be very well-received. These don't even need to be sewn!

Sequin Ball - link
This is quite a simple, if time-consuming, project, but the effect can be stunning. Give as a gift, or hang around the house.

Halloween + Green : Etsy Picks

Some Etsy items I noticed whilst browsing (=

Do you like happy endings?

I was recently watching "The Count of Monte Cristo" on TV, and the plot is a beautiful one. Towards the end, I was yearning for the happy ending - I would have been really disappointed if the "long lost" young lover hadn't ended up with the countess and his illegitimate son. If her husband had managed to kill the father of his wife's son... I would've been very upset.
Does this make me a romantic? Perhaps, but I love the traditional happy ending.

An example of a sad movie was Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Ignorant little me had not yet read the book, yet proceeded to watch the television series made by the BBC. The story kept getting sadder and sadder, but I still continued to watch... Then it ended. And no prince came along to save the day (and Tess)... there was no last-minute pardon. That upset me very much.

What about you? Do you like twists? Or happy endings?

What Motivates You?

As I start up my blog again, I thought to myself: "Why do I do this?" As I do big jobs to earn a few pounds, I think "Why bother save up for a doll and use all my energies?" and I wonder what motivates me to do the things I do. I will pick the example of blogging, because it probably relates to most users.
Why do you blog?
Is it for money? The thought of an income?
Is it to vent out?
Is it to discover yourself as a person?
To keep in touch with friends and family when you're travelling?
To get the news out about your business... or your religion... ?
Or to connect with other people who share your hobby?
If it is a mixture of reasons, what is the main reason? Is there another reason you blog? You may find it does shape your blog ^^

I think the reason I blog is a mix... It is not for my real life friends, but I hope to make new friends through my blogging (which sites like entrecard help).
It may be, in the future, to tell people about services I offer - art commissions and hand-sewn items.
I want to find out about talented people on the web and tell other people.
I use the blog as motivation, too, for saving up money. For completing projects, etc.
I also hope to make some money from blogging, but that is a nice aside.

So what about you?

Does God Really Exist? : Feature

I normally don't choose to make a blog post simply about another person's blog post- it can be repetetive - but I really wanted to show you this post.
It is about a barber who was complaining about God. He said "God can't exist if there is all this suffering." The customer didn't want to argue, so he kept quiet. Then he saw a man with unkempt and wild hair outside. The customer turned to the barber and said "Barbers can't exist! Look at that man, he has bad and uncut hair." The barber replied "Yes, but he has not come to me to get his hair cut. That is why his hair is bad." The customer then said "Because not everybody comes to God, there is suffering"
Or that was the basic structure of the story. I really liked this story, because I feel that I and many others are searching for a reason for suffering. It is hard to believe in a God when there is death and illness everywhere. But this little story gives a nice little "explanation", if you like.

Go read the full story here...

I'm Back!

Over the last few weeks I've been very on and off... ill, then better, but busy and catching up.

Anyway, I have a target. I want to post at least 3 articles or posts each week until January. I also have something I am saving up for ! A ball jointed doll from iplehouse. (see right for picture)

She costs about $375 for the body + makeup, $60 for her first outfit, and $25 for her hair. In total this is $485, and that doesn't include shipping, which will probably be another $25 to the UK. My estimated total is $500. And that converts to £315.
I've recently got a job, which includes tutoring a little girl once a week or every other week - £5 a session. I'll be getting £5 a week allowance, and at Christmas I'll probably get £25 from grandparents and if I don't ask for anything big, £50. So, really, I'm getting a lot of help with it.
£5 a week until Christmas is £50, and Christmas money is £75. That leaves me £200 to earn.
Here is how I'm going to earn it:
- Paid blogging posts? Maybe one or two a week, if i get accepted. ( £20)
- Mylot - I'm close to the $10 payout and will reach it by christmas (£5)
- Foxcash - A PTC I have a decent balance at due to referrals, I just need to reach the clicking requirement... which may take a while - 250 clicks and only 4 or 5 ads a day. (£7)
- Selling cakes at school, but that brings in very little profit, and I will be giving 2/3 of the proceeds to charity anyway. (£5-10)
- Jumble Sale- I could sell clothes, books, toys ? (£25)
- Car Washing, if my Dad happens to be offering me the job. This will probably occur twice until January (£10)
- Online Commissions... Not so likely, but maybe I could offer my chibis online at deviantart for $3 each? (???)