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.

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. 

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.   

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?

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.   

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. 

 

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!

Challenge #70, quote

"Where ever you find humor, you find pathos close by it side."

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-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.

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!

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.

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:

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.

Wedding quilt, quote

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

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-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. 

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!

Diva challenge #68, quotes

The Diva's challenge this week is to use duo tangles:  Hybrid & Stricircles.  A fun challenge for me as I really like both tangles, so I made two this week:

"Imagination is the true magic carpet".                         _Norman Vincent Peale

We should give meaning to life, not wait for life to give us meaning.      -unknown

Zentangle, quote

"Everything in the universe has a purpose.  Indeed, the invisible intelligence that flows through everything in a purposeful fashion is also flowing through you."    - Wayne Dyer

Flowering bush, zentangle, quote

Art is like a border of flowers along the course of civilization.   -Lincoln Steffens

I don't know what kind of bush this is, but it's beautiful.  It's located in one of our neighbor's yard and she didn't know the name of it either.  If you know what kind of bush this is, please let know.

Fun photo, fun zentangle, fun quote





 "Today was good.  Today was fun.  Tomorrow is another one."   - Dr. Seuss

Last weekend, Bob and I attended our nephew's wedding.  At the reception they had a photo booth, masks, etc.   The bride and groom wanted us all to take fun photos in the booth as a memento of the day .

Bob needed a little persuasion, but finally he put on the mask and I quickly grabbed a mask for me.  As you can see, he's very photogenic even in a mask and my photos are always awful even in a mask!  But it was fun.

2 Challenge zentangles for Earth Day, quotes

This weeks challenge #67 is dedicated to Earth Day:

And the first rude sketch that the world had seen was joy to his mighty heart, til the Devil wispered from behind the leaves "It's pretty, but is it Art?.    - Rudyard Kipling


Here's my second one:

"The earth laughs in flowers." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Challenge 66 by the Diva, quote

"The aura given out by a person or object is as much a part of them as their flesh."
Lucian Freud

This week's challenge by The Diva is to create a tile with auras.   Again the pattern called Isoris is perfect for this challenge.  I've also added variations of two of my tangle patterns; Itsy Twisty with it's ribbons twisting throughout the design and EEO in the background.

Beautiful April Days, zentangle, quote

"There is no glory in a star or blossom til looked upon by a loving eye; there is no fragrance in April breezes til breathed with joy as they wander by."  -William C Bryant

We've had such beautiful weather this Spring.  The flowers and trees have been bursting with color and the April breezes are delightful!

"Everybody is a genius.  But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid."  ~Albert Einstein

Dr. Seuss quote, zentangle

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."
Dr. Seuss

Zentangle, quote

"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable."
Joseph Addison

Inspiration from friends!

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
Albert Schweitzer

Several friends and I meet on a semi-regular basis and via internet posts; we call ourselves "The Committee".  Each of us have talents in several areas wether it be quilting, beading, drawing, fiber arts, etc.
We share ideas and have "show and tell" over a cup of coffee (diet coke for me).  This is a personal thank you and tribute to my friends for sharing and helping me keep my creative flame "lit".

Challenge 65 Zentangle, quote

The Diva's challenge this week is to use the tangle pattern "huggy bear".

"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
Buddha

Some days one wakes up and needs to be reminded of the above quote.   So, if there are times you need affection, don't forget to hug yourself mentally.

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.