Bike Art// Paper Cuts

I don't get many cycling injuries *touches head*, but when I do they are stupid.

This is a paper cut I got from opening the packaging on my bike lights. Totally a cycling injury.

Ok, so that's an example of a BAD bike paper cut. Here is an example of a good one by Katy Beveridge.

       

I'm a big fan of paper cuts, I love Rob Ryan's work and I hang Mexican bunting EVERYWHERE. It's so pretty, delicate and makes the most incredible shadows.

My friend even made me a pop up tandem paper cut card.

This paper cut of a couple kissing on a bike by Joe Bagley is one of my favourites.

Here is a video of Joe cutting it. It's hypnotising.

                                        

I'm going to give it a go. Worst case scenario, at least I get to make use of my cartoon plaster collection which I refuse to believe i'm too old for. Jude Brosnan

Happy O' Clock

 I have a think for over sized watches. That means I like men's watches. Men's watches tend to be more durable and bike/ Jude proof. I especially love this black matte plastic watch by MAY 28TH which is available at ASOS for £25 because of its beautiful bike illustrated face. 

Have you ever noticed that clocks or watches for sale are always set at ten to ten? This is because it looks like they are smiling (See) and everyone wants to buy smiley shaped things. Do you like bunting? It's because it's smile shaped.

I learnt how to tell the time on a Swatch Flick Flack watch which I wore until I went to secondary school and got laughed at for being so not cool. It recently occurred to me that I have been telling the time for ages and have only just questioned what the 'O' in o' clock means. Anyone? Well boys and girls I'll tell you.

Once upon a time people used to tell the time by looking at the sun and the moon. This wasn't always bang on accurate until one day someone invented a clock. Not everyone was convinced, some people wanted to remain old school. During this transitional period people who were flash would say "It's two of the clock" so everyone knew they weren't old fashioned sun and moon types. Over time we have shortened it to o' clock. Now we are ready for if that ever comes up in a pub quiz.

 

The new Mum-made crochet collar I'm currently sporting

Check out the 'happy o'clock' button

My Customised Waterproof Cycling Mac

This summer needs to sort its life out. Recently I have pretty much been in a constant state of drying. I have found it really hard to find a jacket that is safe to cycle in, keeps me dry and is not ugly as sin. Well I couldn't find one so I took the matter into my own hands, went all arts and crafts and sort of made one. 

I bought a polka dot shower resistant mac from Marks and Spencer, sewed on reflective tape (taken from an old hi vis waist coat), cut hidden air holes to avoid the whole condensation/ raining on the inside situation and added Liberty buttons, you know, to pretty it up. 

It ticks all my boxes:

* It folds up really small.

* has button up pockets which have so far kept everything I've put in them dry.

* It has a drawstring waist so I can look like a lady.

* If I put the hood up and wear my helmet over it, my hair stays completely dry.

* It's long enough to keep my bum dry, but not so long it gets in the way.

* I'm not ashamed to wear it when I am not near my bike.

I get lots of compliments when I wear it which is practically everyday at the moment. The only problem is people think I'm lying about cycling as I'm arriving places perfectly dry.

FYI:

* The original jacket was £29.50 from M&S and is no longer in stock. They do however have this amazing floral alternative.

* Buttons available from the haberdashery department at Liberty in packs for around £6.

* At night and in other necessary circumstances I wear hi vis over this so I can be seen and not hurt.