Decked My Halls

Hey everyone! I have missed checking in daily and getting around to leaving comments. This is the "commissioned" zentangle that is not quite complete. It will be a gift from mom to her 16 year old daughter. I will be adding some color also. The job is going very well (though I'm not sure what my employer would say). Very excited that my brain still works!!! Though I would really enjoy spending more time on my art, can't deny that getting out of the house and meeting some new people has been good. It has been hectic this past week trying to get the decorations out, shopping and the job. Pleased to say the decorating was completed today, now behind in wash, BigBoy arrived home safely this afternoon for the holidays, a whole lot to be thankful for! Also, I sold five pieces of art this past week, all a result of the show in November! AND today I found out the owners of the gallery have saved a spot for me after I emailed some photos of my art! I am to meet with them this Wednesday at the gallery. Uh, my concern is, when, cause I need some more pieces! OK......so I will be working that in during my sit down time!!! Working on getting around to "see" everyone the next couple of days! Ho Ho Ho!

Zentangle for Niece

While watching the football game Friday afternoon, then later in the evening some other tv with the family, I managed to do this zentangle for my niece in a Roller Derby theme. Hoping to give it to her framed on Saturday at my great nephew's birthday party, I was disappointed to see that again I had made my image too large. It is almost 11 inches wide....I must mark my boundaries in order to have it fit an 8x10 frame opening...now it will not work in my favorite frame for zentangles! OK, I will punt, have a mat cut to fit and put it in a 11x14 frame. Had a nice long weekend with the family, Mr. U, BigBoy and VolleyGirl went to see "Blind Side" last night, it is a good movie. The Christmas extravaganza is almost complete in the front of the house and I kept washing through out the days so I am not far from being caught up. I have tomorrow free, then start work Tuesday. I have a few errands for tomorrow. Hope you all have had a great weekend!

I'm Still Around

Since my last post I have finished sketching out, started painting on a Maytagarama, started this zentangle, almost 8x10, which is already sold, and agreed to do a specific drawing for my niece for an auction by Dec. 5th. I know, probably should say no, but we help each other out, be supportive and it will also reach another group of people to my art.

I just received a call yesterday and my start date for work is Dec. 1st, Tuesday. That Tuesday and Wednesday I go in 10 until 2, Thursday and Friday is 9 til 4. That's just because I will be training for a couple of weeks. Generally I will work 10 til 2. Ah, yes, right at the holidays....but I knew that would be the case. I have still not sold anything at the coffeehouse but still hopeful I may before it's over. My niece has a prominent role at our main library and has gave me information about exhibiting there and I just emailed them. Also, recently she was at one of our swanky restaurants for an artist's reception for an exhibit and spoke with the manager about my work and I am about to contact him. Why....well, I enjoy doing my art for fun but I would also rather bring in some extra income doing my art on my on schedule than working at something totally unrelated away from the house. Not that I mind getting out of the house that much, may be good for me....we will see.

Got the big grocery run today, cooking some for us here at home this week though we will be at my in-laws for the main Thanksgiving meal....my contribution is a German chocolate cake. I usually look for a new cake to make but I haven't made this and I don't think my kids have tried it. I will come up with something new for Christmas. Speaking of that, have picked up a couple of things for the kids, and Mr. U already while I've been out. I really hope to get by to leave comments.....maybe tonight since BigBoy came in last night and they are going somewhere later today for a night. I miss the interaction with y'all so much!

There's Always Something

Above is the other zentangle I did sitting at the Art Festival the other week. I have painted on my washing machine themed paintings a bit........in between the 19 loads of clothes, tons of meals and running VolleyGirl to practice - then as luck would have it....

early last week BigBoy and I were downstairs and heard a fairly loud noise. 'What was that?' We checked outside around the house, yelled at VolleyGirl to see what happened, then he ran upstairs looking around and found it. The shelf/clothing rack and an additional shelf on one side of my closet had came down. Uh, um, er, well, okay, it was pretty overloaded and it was all in the floor and I could barely open the closet door. Great, that's all I needed, some big task to tackle immediately! Six large garbage bags full of clothes, shoes, purses and one bag of trash later - it is now stacked in the bedroom floor to put back in. Mr. Unplugged fixed it today...he was waaaaaay underjoyed about it....let's just leave it at that. (Mr. Fix-It is not synonymous for Mr. Unplugged...) VolleyGirl is to sand the spackled spots (don't ask), then vaccum then I will be ready to pick a bit more out that passed the first cut, organize it all, and hang the rest up. We have alot to take to our church's thrift store. Though I hated every minute of it and the timing stunk.....I WILL BE SO PROUD!!! This week: besides the wash, food, painting - hit the volleyball ad sales again, take care of Father's Day gifts with the kids and shop for VG....she turn's 16 on the 22nd!!!!!

Thank You!!!!!!!

These detailed little coloring books arrived recently from Artist Victoria O'Neill.....there is a little stack of them and they are simply amazing! If you have not checked her site - you should. Thank you so much Victoria!

The incredible Soulbrush sent me these awesome ATCs last week along with four inchies! I love the variety and color in them all. The lovely card they came in is her 'Table Mountain' print. Thanks so much Soul.....you're divine! All these miniatures are like gourmet art snacks, don't you think?

Wow, couldn't figure out why I had this one real sore spot on my back about the size of my hand.....then it hit me (fortunately very lightly). It is from the numerous pats on the back I received from all the supportive, encouraging comments left on the previous post concerning my participation in my very first art festival! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Lastly, (whew) above is one of two zentangles that I completed while sitting at the festival last weekend. Yeah, the little blue spots to the right are where I accidentally made a mark on the paper...the wind was blowing. I'm thinking I may go back and do something there in black or just add some black. Till later everyone!

A Virgin No More! Hear About It!

You will never guess what I did yesterday........it was my first..........um, no, not that! I participated in my very first art festival! Decided at the last minute (Friday afternoon) to go for it. Spent until after midnight finding enough easels and framing four items for it. Wasn't really expecting to sell anything- just needed to take that first step even though I didn't have that many items. Low and behold, the heavens opened up (not with rain, thankfully) and someone purchased two items as I started to pack up! The zentangles, who would have thunk it - she bought the two zentangles below that I had framed. I also met one of my blog friends, she was in the festival as well. Visit her site if you want to see the photo her husband took. http://www.micheleleeart.com/ She does some beautiful work and has a good heart.

Michelle said when I first met her yesterday that she had told friends about my zentangles and thinks it could be my little niche.........

I probably will do more.......

Barely There

I may be caught up with my comments, hope I haven't overlooked you! Please don't be offended if I have. I did this botanically challenged zentangle at the end of last week. Hoping to get to more art soon!!!!!!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, what to post about tomorrow...........

Amazing Love...

My good friend Soulbrush has once again bestowed an award to me. I am always flattered and grateful for the acknowledgement that it may be worth someone's time to bother reading my blog. Thank you so very much Soulbrush, you are always an inspiration. I will pay it forward soon.

Monday I finished this drawing while waiting in Barnes & Noble Bookstore as VolleyGirl and a couple of friends were in a movie. I also worked on another zentangle last night, should post it Friday or before.

Sunday Snippet

Look at this gorgeous card with a watercolor of a English bulldog celebrating Easter!!! Lolo sent three of these to me and I was so excited and touched. (Okay, maybe I'm always a bit touched) The envelope was lovely as well and as I pulled it from the mailbox, I immediately knew it was from her! Mr. Unplugged was very impressed....anything bulldog makes him happy. Have I mentioned I may have rhinoplasty to get my nose halfway embedded into my face........gotta keep my man happy...........THANKS LOLO! You are such a sweetheart. I have been receiving these wonderful gifts in the mail and I feel like the Little Drummer Boy, I have no gift to bring.....I shall be thinking (warning). Hmmmm, filled cupcakes, nah, coconut cream pie, nah, buttermilk biscuits, nah, locks of my hair....er, can't spare that.......collected slobber from Apollo.....yuk! Wait! Soulbrush!....nah.......my footprints in ink.....nah.....okay, may have a small dilemma here.

It has been busy around the Unplugged Palace, family activities and chores have kept me from blogging - imagine that! I barely had time for this zentangle last night. This afternoon, grocery shopping and volleyball practice.......hope to catch up with you all soon!

Friday Sky: My Week In Weather

I may as well join Skywatch Friday since I watch the sky every day of the week and take photos of it everyday with my cellphone. Yes, it's wrong, but I am very, very careful with my 'snap driving'. Miss many good shots for safety's sake........

Hopefully will post again later today, maybe a zentangle, AND Lolo sent me a gift!!!!

Sometimes It's Just Black and White

This is all I had time to do yesterday between wash, spoiled dog and family. Thinking that this is a zenflower....obviously, of my own botanical design! I may be framing it in one of the 5x7 cute brightly colored frames and put it in my art stockpile. The entire rest of my week has some sole dog duties and that limits me a bit but we'll see how it goes. Rain again today...took more cloud photos taking VolleyGirl to school. Thinking I may start participating in Friday's Skywatch.

This, That and The Other

Not quite finished with my pencil drawing, tried do so last night but Fat B kept coming up sniffing and blowing so I gave it up and finished this zentangle instead. The sun was coming through the kitchen window blinds late yesterday afternoon on the kitchen table where I take the photos to get good light. I loved the way it looked!

Working with the black ink really brings the contrast I enjoy though I plan more with the colored pens. The other day I purchased some neat small color frames with zentangles in mind, thinking that stepping into this venture I would throw everything against the wall and see what sticks!!! Plus, I like the variety and some things can be completed faster than others.

Recently I took on a challenge offered up by Soulbrush to post 70 facts about myself (many are still in a semi-conscious state). Those that participated were up for a card making kit via their name being chosen by Soulbrush's fluffy Snuffles. Proudly I announce that apparently my name had the lucky odor sniffed out by Snuffles!!!!!! The kit arrived just the other day! Thank you so much SB for your generosity and your constant support!

Yesterday I put some of my work in frames and started writing my resume- to be prepared for anything part-time that may interest me....there is one position that caught my eye......wheels are turning a bit in my head for directions to go in with my art. Those wheels have been locked up and rusty for some time now.....how do you denote wiping noses, field trips, team mom and homework task leader in a resume? Ha.

Apollo informed me that Mr. Unplugged was referring to next Saturday for a trip to visit BigBoy and not tomorrow.....information from spoiled-rotten bulldogs is unreliable. Must get on with the day, keep VolleyGirl and the 5 busloads of her class in your prayers as they will travel back from overnight retreat in rainy, Friday afternoon traffic.....severe storms here tonight and tomorrow.

A Bit Out Of Sorts

The kids are home, out of school this week and Mr. Unplugged has taken off so of course my usual routine is not usual right now. I haven't been on the computer all day. Washing, cooking, visiting. I did take VolleyGirl to a vball lesson yesterday and today. I have shagged the balls (okay, those of you from England, it is not what you think!!!!) meaning I have been chasing the volleyballs and picking them up during the lessons.......that I have discovered has been causing lots of pain in the evenings for me so I guess no more of that.

I did this zentangle last night with some new colored pens I bought a couple of weeks ago for mostly this purpose. I am still working on a colored pencil drawing.

Tomorrow the guys are going to be away and VolleyGirl is having three friends come spend the night. I probably will get some drawing time or computer time tomorrow night if Apollo, a.k.a., His Royal Hineness, Fat Bastard, Canine Messiah, will act right and not have been after him every five minutes to keep him from going up the steps and trying to cover the floor like a dustbuster! Hope to catch up with all the posts I missed today!