Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Placemats, quote

Even overweight, cats instinctively know the cardinal rule:  when fat, arrange yourself in slim poses.  ~John Weitz
Yesterday I finished these place mats.  Each has a different cat and are reversible to a fall leave pattern.  They were easy and fun to make.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Zentangle challenge 72, quote

"Imagine the possibilities."    -unknown


This weeks challenge from the Diva is to use the tangle pattern "Crescent Moon" creating differenct possibilities with just the one pattern. 


Friday, May 25, 2012

Zendala Challenge, quote

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things that escape those who dream only at night.
Edgar Allan Poe

Here is my creation for the 7th Zendala challenge this week.   At first I wasn't sure I cared for them , but I'm beginning to enjoy making them.  She gives us the outline, and we fill in the patterns created by the lines with different tangle patterns.  The most difficult part with doing my zendala was trying to get the gecko's to look similiar in each space.   

Thursday, May 24, 2012

zentangle, quote, Nook or Kindle?

"Books are the bees which carrry the quickening pollen from one to anothers mind."  - James Russell Lowell


For several months now, I've been thinking about purchasing a Nook or a Kindle.  Most of my friends have the Kindle Fire and really like it.  However, when I go into Barnes and Noble they have a pretty convincing spiel about their Nook.   I can't seem to make up my mind -- any suggestions?

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Zendala Challenge #6, quote

Beauty is being in harmony with what you are.
Peter Nivio Zarlenga

For the Zendala Challenge this week, I decided to toot my own horn, so to speak and design it around my tangle pattern which I call Dazl.   


Monday, May 21, 2012

Zentangle Challenge 71, quote

He who walks in the middle of the roads gets hit from both sides.
George Schultz

This weeks challenge by the Diva is to use the new tangle pattern "pea-knuckle".  I'm not real satisfied with my results as I found it difficult to get the lines to come together the way I wanted; however, here is my tile:


The month of may seems to be speeding by!  This past weekend, I watched the Indy 500 qualifications.
Can't wait for the race this Sunday - it should be a very competitive one this year.  Lots of good drivers and some rule changes this year. 

 

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Zentangle, quote, flowers

"Flower in the crannied wall,                                          
I pluck you out the crannies,                                      
I hold you here, root and all,
in my hand,
Little flower."      -Alfred Lord Tennyson














I love flocks! 
This photo was taken earlier this Spring, but I hadn't posted it so I thought I'd share it now.  My hubby placed his rain gauge in the center of the flocks!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Challenge #70, quote

"Where ever you find humor, you find pathos close by it side."
|  
-Edwin P. Whipple

The Diva's challenge this week is to use the color sepia somewhere in the zentangle.



Also, just another reminder that if you've not checked out all the wonderful zentangles submitted each week on her blog, do so.   The creativity shown in taking on each challenge is awesome!
Just click on the Diva's gadget shown on my blog page.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day!

"There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one” - Jill Churchill




Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers! 

As a Mother, sometimes I feel that I wasn't the Mother that I should have been.  Perhaps some of you feel the same way at times.  When I found the quote posted above, it helped me understand that there's no way one can be the perfect Mother.  I am now content in knowing that I am a "good" Mother.














I am also blessed to be married to a wonderful man who always remembers Mother's Day.  These are the beautiful pink roses he gave me!


Friday, May 11, 2012

Zendella challenge, quote

Fortune's wheel never stands still the highest point is therefore the most perilous.
Maria Edgeworth

                           
I've come across another blog featuring a Zendella every week.  The blog is http://thebrightowl.blogspot.com/ , so I decided to try my hand at a zendella.
I discovered that doing tangle patterns in a structured circle rather than random designs
used in zentangles is a little more difficult and time-consuming for me.   The above design is my first attempt.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Zentangle challenge #69, quote

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
Walt Disney

This weeks challenge by The Diva was certainly a challenge for me.  I had tried the tangle pattern "groovy" before and it was difficult for me.  I'm still not completely satisfied with my attempt but here it is:

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Birthday zentangle for my daughter, quote

"A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart."  ~Author Unknown



Today is my daughter Jan's birthday!  I wish her  love and happiness.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Wedding quilt, quote

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."
 |  |
-Mignon McLaughlin



This is the quilt I made for my nephew and his bride's wedding gift.  It's a king-size quilt, therefore I had a difficult time getting a photo.

When I asked Stef what color she wanted the quilt and she said purples and plums, I didn't realize that it wouldn't be a simple task to find fabrics in those colors.  Finally with the help from my quilting buddies adding some purples and plums from their "stash" of fabrics, I had enough to make the quilt.  I added the blues and turquoise to match the floral fabric I bought for the vocal point of the quilt.   The quilt photographed more blue than purple.

This is a closer photo which shows the floral fabric a little better. 

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Diva challenge #68 (re-do) zentangle, quote

"Self-interest makes some people blind, and others sharp-sighted."
Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Well folks, I "dropped the ball" this time and I'm "red-faced" because I mis-interpreted the instructions of the challenge.  This is my corrected one using duo tangles Hybred and Stricircles and/or a variation of said tangles.

A nice surprise

"It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself.  Makes you wonder what else you can do that you've forgotten about."   -Alan Ball, American Beauty

Last weekend was my nephew's wedding.  I had asked he and his fiancee if they'd like me to make a quilt as their wedding gift;  their response was an enthusiastic "yes".  And of course when I asked what size, they replied king size.  I didn't say anything at the time, but I had yet to make a king-size quilt and I was a wee bit overwhelmed at the thought of making that sized quilt.  I have made lots of wall-hangings and double bed quilts but never a king size quilt.  To make a long-story short, I did complete the quilt and am very pleased with the results. And trust me, a king size quilt takes a lot of fabric and time!  It took me over 6 hrs. just to hand stitch the binding around the edge of the quilt.  I haven't posted a photo of the quilt as yet because the photo I took didn't turn out well.    We are planning a time to take the quilt  to them and I will take another photo.  Stay tuned!