Magnetic Personality

Everybody is like a magnet. You attract to yourself reflections of that which you are. If you're friendly then everybody else seems to be friendly too.
-David R. Hawkins

Challenge 64 zentangle, quote

If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary. | | -Jim Rohn

The diva's challenge #64 is as follows:

Weekly Challenge #64: String Theory v. VIII "Fortuneteller"
So, as is the case with all the String Theory challenges, the challenge here is for everyone to use a common string in their work.  For this, i simply divided my tile into 4, then divided them again, through the diagonals, creating 8 special-right triangles. (Each triangle has a 90 degree and two 45 degree angles)

I called this challenge the Fortuneteller, because the string reminds me of those paper fortune teller i used to make as a kid. 



The one above is the first one I did -  too busy?  I really like the tangle pattern called "Ixorus" and this is the basic tangle I used on both these tiles.

 This is the 2nd one I did -  too simple?

This is the "string" described by The Diva.

btw, if you've only thought about checking out her site and haven't do so as yet, now's the time!

http://iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com/

Like many others who follow her bog and take on her weekly challenge - I look forward to every Monday so I can take on the challenge.

Springtime thoughts!

The seasons are shifting, The winter shades lifting,
The springtime is filling
Earth's children with mirth.
The daffodil yellow, The south wind so mellow,
The gentle rain falling,
Upon the green earth.
The song sparrow singing, New life quickly springing,
All nature is telling
A tale of rebirth:
The deep wells of being, Beyond each day's seeing,
O'er flowing with new Life,
Restoring the earth.

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-David E. Bumbaugh
Spring, 1998



I'm sitting here with the windows open and listening to the birds singing.  I just had to express my enjoyment of the moment on paper!

It's been an early Spring this year and I'm enjoying every minute of it.  The flowering Redbuds and Dogwood trees thoughtout the city provide  a beautiful landscape.   My tulips and jonquils and flocks are bursting with color.  

Busy week, 2 knitting projects, new zentangle patterns and a quote

Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.

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-Oprah Winfrey

Zentangles have become a passion with me along with knitting, mixed media and quilting.  This week became more than exciting for me because my newest tangle pattern "Itsy Twisty" was featured
on the TanglePatterns.com site. http://tanglepatterns.com/ 

My excitement grew as compliments came rolling in from other zentangle enthusiasts both on my blog and on the tangle patterns website.  To those who sent a compliment and all who have tried my new pattern, I thank you.

The zentangle tile to the left contains my newest pattern "Itsy Twisty" as well as 3 other of my tangle patterns:  Dazl, Serpentine and EO.  If you'd like to check them out, simply go to the bottom right of this blog to the Labels section and click on the "new patterns tab. 

If you've never been to Linda Farmer's Tangle patterns site, and you would like to learn more patterns click on the above link on on the Tangle Patterns Icon on my web.  Well worth checking out!

As for knitting, last week I finished a pair of socks for my granddaughter and I also finished another shawl/scarf.  I'm working on publishing the pattern as I've had so many requests for it. 

challenge #63 zentangle, quote

"More look up and admire the stars. A champion climbs a mountain and grabs one."


-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

This weeks Diva challenge is to use the new tangle design called "Fengle".

They remind me of starfish or stars in the sky.

A day with my granddaughter

Somewhere out there is a quote that states "if I'd know grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first".   Thursday was not only a beautiful warm, sunny day, it was an afternoon spent with my granddaughter Amy.  We searched through treasures at the Goodwill Store, then had a delightful dinner of pizza. 

Amy was kind enough to use the computer and lay-out business cards for me.  One uses a zentangle design I made and the other a logo I had designed for me by a professional artist:

When I was sharing some of my zentangle designs she fell in love with this one, so of course she now has it in her possession:

Happy St. Patty's Day zentangle, quote

I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.
-Thomas Jefferson

Itsy Twisty - a new tangle pattern

What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate.
Donald Trump

These two zentangle drawings both feature the new tangle I just designed called "Itsy Twisty".

Here's how to draw Itsy Twisty:

This design came to me while I was making a greeting card as I was embellishing it with buttons sewn on with ribbon.

 

Zentangle, quote

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"Happiness is like a kiss. You must share it to enjoy it."
Bernard Meltzer

My happiness right now is that my husband is doing well after his hip replacement surgery.  And, my friends were so very thoughtful in sending him flowers!

Challlenge 62, quote

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."

Carl Rogers

The challenge by the Diva this week is to create the tangle pattern "Paradox" within a spiral pattern.  Here's mine:

My newest knitting creation, quote

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun".

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-Mary Lou Cook

This past Tuesday, my hubby had hip-replacement surgery -- he's doing fine and growing stronger each day.
While he was hospitalized and while waiting during his surgery, I was knitting.  Knitting always calms me and helps me through difficult times as well as satisfying me need to be creative.  Here's the neck shawl/scarf I made during this past week:

Over the past few years, I have made several similar to this and have finally perfected this pattern.  I like these scarves for several reasons:  They keep my neck and shoulders warm, especially when I'm in a restaurant or wherever the temperature is cool but not cold enough for a sweater.  It's also easy to remove it when one of those "hot flashes" hit when you least expect it. 

Challenge zentangle, quote

"After all, when you come right down to it, how many people speak the same language even when they speak the same language? "

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-Russell Hoban

This week's challenge #61 was to use the pattern "Gloven" which is the Dutch word for waves.

Balancing Life!

"Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance out how much of ourselves we give away."
Barbara de Angelis

The last couple of weeks have been a real balancing act!  Seems like I've been going in circles.    Time for some fun - I'm going to the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show in Bloomington with some of my friends - leaving tomorrow for a couple of days. 

 

Zentangle and quote of the day

"Never, never rest contented with any circle of ideas, but always be certain that a wider one is still possible."
Pearl Bailey

Challenge #60 from The Diva is to create a design using the Cirquital and Munchin patterns.  Here is mine:

 

New tangle pattern

Recently, while browsing through fabric and laces at the fabric store, I saw a piece of delicate lace with small eyelet loops.   This tangle design is very easy, using small letter e's up the sides of the triangles and across the bottom.  Adding o's as the eyelets, and drawing the mesh inside the triangles.  I've named it

E-E-O because of the simplicity of the design.   Also, here's my tangle tile using the new E-E-O tangle:



E-E-O



Mardi Gras challenge zentangle, quote

"The closing years of life are like the end of a masquerade party, when the masks are dropped."
Cesare Pavese

 

 I have observed that the above quote fits a lot of people - maybe that's why some elderly people are labeled eccentric

.People who know me well will probably tell you that I've never been one to wear a mask.  I'm as "natural" and "honest" as one can be.  While I do try to be tactful and kind for the most part my motto in life is not to wear a mask.

 

My flowers think it's Spring already

Nature, like us is sometimes caught without her diadem.

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-Emily Dickins

I'm afraid these will be "nipped in the bud" if and when the weather turns colder.  However, Mother Nature has her own agenda.

Valentine's quote and zentangles

Pure love is a willingness to give without a thought of receiving anything in return.

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-Peace Pilgrim

Challenge zentangle, quote

One hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, how big my house was, or what kind of car I drove. But the world may be a little better, because I was important in the life of a child.

-Forest Witcraft

The Diva's challenge this week is to use the Four Diamonds Triagle logo of the Four Diamond's Fund.  An orgization committed to children with cancer.  She participated in a marathon this past weekend -   read more about it by clicking on "the Diva's" logo on my blog.

Quote, Valentine zentangle

If you want to be loved, be lovable.
  Ovid

More valentine zentangles and quotes

People need loving the most when they deserve it the least.
John Harrigan

Quote, zentangle

Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination.
Voltaire

 

Quote, zentangle

Don't smother each other. No one can grow in the shade.

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-Leo Buscaglia

Love

The greatest weakness of most humans is their hesitancy to tell others how much they love them while they're still alive.

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-Orlando A. Battista

Valentine's day is just around the corner.
Don't forget to tell someone you love them - do it today - don't wait!

Quote of the day, zentangle challenge

Children are natural Zen masters; their world is brand new in each and every moment.
John Bradshaw

The Diva's challenge this week is to use the tangle pattern called Sanibel.  

Birthday quote

Maturity: Be able to stick with a job until it is finished. Be able to bear an injustice without having to get even. Be able to carry money without spending it. Do your duty without being supervised.

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-Ann Landers

This week, one of my granddaughter's turned 20.   As I was looking for a quote for this post, I ran across the one above by Ann Landers.   I'm not sure if Nikki even knows who Ann Landers was, but I decided to post it anyway. 

How many of us can say we meet that defination of maturity on a daily basis?   There are some days that I certainly don't, but I do try.  Anyway, it's "food for thought" for all of us mature people!

Right place at the right time!, Quote, zentangle

There are two kinds of light -- the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.

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-James Thurber

My husband and I were driving west this am and as we approached our county courthouse it was illuminated by the sun:

I'm not adept at photo shop or anything, so this is straight from our digital camera.

Ham Casserole recipe, another favorite quote

This is another one of my favorite quotes:

 

"I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food."
W. C. Fields

Here's a new recipe I've customized from a recipe I found in a magazine.  I was looking for a way to serve leftover ham in a new way.  I found a recipe for the potato gratin and then added my own touches, including the diced leftover ham (along with a little humor)

A little drink of water!

"In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.

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-English Proverb

Tommy decided that he was thirsty and Bob's drinking glass was right where it was convenient!

Zentangle suggestions, quote of the day

"It is the little bits of things that fret and worry us; we can dodge a elephant, but we can’t dodge a fly.”  ~Josh Billings

I read this today on another blog (http://tangledtranquility.com/) and it reminded me of the quote I heard my Mother say so many times:  "It's not the climb of the mountain, it's the grain of sand in your shoe".  

Some times it is the little things that are so difficult for us.

When I'm feeling a little out of touch with myself, I've found creating a zentangle can help relax me and get back on focus.  That's part of what zentangle is about - thus the zen in the word zentangle.  Here is the zentangle link if you'd like to check it out.    http://www.zentangle.com/index.php

One day I hope to be able to afford to take the CZT training.

There are several books available about zentangles as well.  I just ordered  "Zentangle 6" by Suzanne McNeill, CZT from Amazon.   But if you are just beginning I recommend "Zentangle Basics" and Zentangle 3" as those are my favorites. 

If you are a quilter, "Zen-sational Stitches for Quilting" by Suzanne McNeill is a wonderful book as well.