One year ago today, sometime in the afternoon I put the finishing touches to Paved With Stars and declared it open to the public. Now, 956 graphics and 15,286 hits later, I'm celebrating the first anniversary of this site. I can't quite believe that is has been a year.

But without the people who keep visiting and commenting, I wouldn't be celebrating one month online, yet one year. I would like to thank everyone who has visited, commented, affiliated and helped me along the way. I hope we can make it through another year together.

Not much has been happening in my world really. I *finally* got my exercise bike, and I average about 4-5 miles a day. No weight loss yet, but I've only been doing it a week, so early days. The weather has been... bleurgh... which means "too hot" in my language. I wanted a proper winter and I never got it, so a warm summer will not make me a happy bunny. The only good thing about this weather is it's great for taking photos, especially of flowers as everywhere is in bloom. The computer has been generally behaving itself, although I had to delete all my PSP folders as loads of my favourite brushes had disappeared, luckily though I had another copy as back-up, so I've got them all back now. It was insane! Every single brush I felt like using had gone. Also my brother downloaded PS9 and I've fiddled out with it but.... meh... I don't think I could get used to it at all, it's so untidy, I couldn't even find the floodfill tool! I might dabble in it from time to time but I'm not as tempted to use it as I thought I might be. I'm also seriously considering learning HTML as I only really know that basic stuff. I'd love to have a go at making a layout but I don't really know where to start. *snaps fingers* I meant to see if they had any books at the library but I forgot.

And this is an unnatural time of the day to be up. 8am. *yawn* I haven't been up this early in years. I'm about to pop off to the nearest theme park to us, Alton Towers. I haven't been in about 5 years, and I'm really looking forward to it. No doubt I'll scream my head off like a wimp at first, but I'll enjoy it in the end... although I'm not sure about the new ride that goes 0-100mph in 2.5 seconds... 0.o

And now onto the anniversary update (of which I am quite proud).

Graphics

1 add effect. It's been a long time sice I did anything like this but it was for a contest so I thought I would have a go.

8 avatars.

8 banners.

8 blends. *dies* That's the most I've ever made in a couple of weeks I think. There were a lot of contests floating round, and I also had a few early morning inspirations that amazingly worked out as I had planned when I tried them. There are a couple that are not me at all, but I kind like the style and there is also one I found from a while ago. I hope you can tell which one it is.

1 bookmark. Made for a contest on AU, and what with Prince Caspian coming out, it made sense to make it, especially as I will be seeing it.. sometime, lol.

2 colourizations. Not the best I have ever made (me and Johnny Depp's skin colour do not get on at all) but I made them for contests and it gave me something to do.

12 retouches. Well this is my newest craze and I love it. I don't know why I never tried it before. I haven't quite worked out with PSP how to properly smooth out wrinkles and things, but having said that I think some people really over-do that process, as some people end up looking like wax fruit. I think I'll stick to trying to alter the colours for the moment.

9 awards. Many thanks to Stephanie and also the members of the AU forum.

Visitor

4 brushes. I made a couple of the sets out of the default tools in PS, not sure if I like them though.

5 things a site should have. My little list of things I think a site should have.... told in my own special way....

18 fonts. I added some more of my favourite fonts.

How to improve your graphics. A few hints that might come in useful for people who …. Erm… want to improve their graphics?

24 icon light stocks. I found a site which told you how to make these in PS, and because I actually could do this (go me) I made some.

100 photos. Yes, I am snap-happy.

4 standard textures. Not as many as last time, I think I wore myself out.

1 tutorial. How to make a basic texture. Hope it's of some use to people.

Site

1 affiliate. Welcome to TI Rifugi Oscuri

1 site award. Thanks to Fair Lady of Rohan.

Added an inspirations page, for all you talented people out there who are inspiring.

Huggles

Stephanie, Estella, Eliwen, Larien, ForeverFrodo, Jane, and EA.

Thanks as always for all your great comments guys!

And that's all for this update. If anyone could take the time to VOTE! for me, I'd really, really appreciate it.

So I'm off to get chucked around, get soaked and get turned inside out I reckon, so I'll see you all with the next update.

Have a good week!

JF

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