It is said that All Hallows' Eve is one of the nights when the veilbetween the worlds is thin - and whether you believe in such things or not, those roaming spirits probably believe in you, or at leastacknowledge your existence, considering that it used to be their own.

Well it's that time of year again...HALLOWEEN! And boy is it my favourite!

There is absolutely nothing I love better than carving pumpkins, and this year I invested in Lino cutting tools to do it.

I decided quite early on (yes, I plan my pumpkin picture ahead of time because I get SO excited I just have to do something!) that I wanted to do a layer effect image, so had been searching for an idea I could adapt to fit layers.

 

Yes I know my pumpkins are green, they're home grown accidentally by my Dad, and weren't given enough time to orange up, but I like it! 

Seeing as it was my first attempt using Lino tools, I don't think it turned out too badly, although I was incredibly nervous about how deep to go and think I could have pushed it a little more. And it probably took me way longer than someone used to the tools, but I got the hang of it in the end and didn't want to stop (as usual).

Having spent hours on my first pumpkin, I only had a little while left until it got dark, so had a nice simple design in mind for this one. 

Like I said, it's simple - but I've had the picture in my head for a while and wanted to see it come to life. And while I can sit and point out everything that is wrong with it, I think the teeth do it proud, I think they look fairly snarly and it's what I'm most proud of currently haha.

I hope everyone had a great October <3

It is the nature of the strong heart, that like the palm tree itstrives ever upwards when it is most burdened.

'The Tree of Life'.

So we did this activity at my art therapy class and I just thought I had to share. It was so worthwhile to do, I'd love to start a permanent one at home, but maybe with leaves instead of hearts and doves.

You see, you make the tree, and decorate with hearts filled with positive things in your life/on your mind, and fill the doves with the negative (so they can fly away and take them with them).

It really separated you from your feelings, which was such a relief! You don't realise how much you let them overcome you, and be a part of who you are, no matter how small. It felt so good just to take a step back to see everything in hindsight.