Snowkids and Zentangle

Yes, we actually had a bit of snow last week, along with the subfreezing temps. Here are my two little offspring, able to stand that close without punching or aggravating......that is in many of the other photos I took.

Finished this commissioned zentangle just this morning. It had MANY requested personal elements to be included. Some of them you may recognize easily and some you may not. I learned that I cannot do this by putting down a "picture" then trying to work around it. Had to begin over again after learning this. I literally have to draw a big squiggle line, study it and add the elements to it. Kind of like the game my dad and I used to play with BigBoy when he was young, draw a line, then the next one has to add to it or make something out of it. My time is very short to get some additional pieces ready for my exhibit that begins next month. I have worked a bit on an ink piece that hopefully I will post later this week. Wanting to do a painting, pencil drawing and some simpler zentangles............

The Art of Christmas

Pictured above are the recipients of the zentangle created especially for them by request of their daughter...who just happens to be a magnificent artist living in the same town as myself. How honored and flattered I was to be able to do this for her, for them! It went all the way up to the last minute, finished in the late afternoon of Christmas Eve. I called Michele (see her blog) and proceeded to frame it. Apparently, they were very pleased with it....that really makes me happy! We left after she picked it up to my in-laws for the evening, returned home to bake a pecan and key lime pie.......then it was time to wait for Santa!

Like I said...most of these pictures and symbols were specifically for careers, interests, family and personal meaning to this long married couple. Now....Michele has already sent me information to create another one, with two more to come! Last night I managed to create the outside border for it. Next week is busy, working a half day Monday and then three full days, probably because my best friend is off all week to attend her daughter's basketball tournament. I also agreed to work for the sweet 19 year old on Monday so she could be out of town. Next month I need to limit my days and hours so to get ready for the art exhibit. I did rest some yesterday though my knee ached the whole time. We had a nice Christmas, love having the kids free from school and home all day.....they have been very helpful. Next week is VolleyGirl's last week out of school and I hate that I will be working so much....may see if I can get a little more time off. I want to catch up with everyone's site.......remember patience is a virtue...so it may take me a few days. Hoping you are all healthy and happy! Off to the grocery store now....

Latest

Finished this a day ago and have one more to complete by Christmas! This and the next is are 8x10 in size. We wrapped gifts yesterday and hopefully will finish those today, attended a family

get together last night, seeing most of my mother's sisters and many cousins and their families. It is SUCH a blessing to see them all and I really should make the effort to spend more time with them...perhaps a New Year's resolution....hmmmm. Came back and watched "Elf" together again, still funny! Making my lists and checking them more than twice, have some cooking to do this week. I did not work Friday and do not Monday. It is still going pretty well. Met with owner of a fine art gallery this last Wednesday and decided to jump in and exhibit which will be Feb. 1-May 31. Must have pieces ready by middle to third week of January! I want to do some new art......so after the holidays is already planned looks like. I finally have my business cards printed up correctly after Staples did them and they turned out horribly....BigBoy did the artwork without asking me one question and he had me pegged perfectly. They are gloss black with letters reversed with a very light design in the background that you may miss if you look too quickly. Keeping very, very busy, not anal though like some of you may think I am.....my floors are really dirty and bathrooms need cleaning again...........I am not a maniac...have to watch the back, if it goes, I'm in trouble! Hope all of you are well!!!!

A Frozen Treat and More Freaking Facts!

I never know if I am tying up loose ends or just unraveling!!! The latter is probably the correct choice. Created this 'ice cream' treat last night. As I wander around my brain (yes, there does seem to be that much free space in there!), okay, wandering around looking for random, yet interesting thoughts, it feels like I am finding little strings from my past and present. How much do they weave together, the past with the present? What new thread am I weaving in for the future? Hmmmmmmm, a cool metallic, that will pop out and add some zing? Some rough string that doesn't pull easily through the fabric? Wow, I'm really not THAT deep, just occurred to me as I began to comment on digging up the next ten facts and noticing the zen treat posted above. Oh well, enough! Must not soil that clean brain space! The next ten nap inducing facts:

41) Like to topwater fish for bass but it's been years since I have
42) Both my babies were c-section
43) Emcee events such as dance recitals, fundraisers
44) Used to take Jazzercise classes
45) 2 separate carpal tunnel surgeries in 3 weeks before BigBoy's birth
46) Took walking tour of the Hoover Dam
47) Visited Teddy Roosevelt's home
48) Enjoy watching medical shows on Discovery health AND the fictional shows as well
49) Have ridden on a parade float
50) Held my 14 1/2 yr. old dog as she was euthanized

Now go splash some cold water on your face!

In The Palm of My Hand and Taking the Challenge........

One of my latest obsessions........love to get my hands on a zentangle!

I am (gulp) taking the challenge, given by none other than Soulbrush, of posting 1o facts about myself for the next seven days. The challenge is not DOING it, it is THINKING of things, by the seventh day I will probably be counting hairs on my head or doing weird, insane things, in order to have something to list-stay tuned for I could be making the news later in the week! O.K., here goes:

1) I have never been outside the U.S.

2) Played the trumpet in school for 8 years

3) Have been in seven weddings yet didn't have one of my own

4) Held my mother's hand as she took her last breath

5) Sang my first solo at 35

6) Have slept overnight in my car more than once

7) I have always enjoyed watching t.v.

8) Drove myself to the ER with appendicitis

9)Quarterback on intramural football team in college

10) Sprayed cotton one summer

The Latest

Lately it appears all the art I have had time for are the zentangles, thank goodness I enjoy them so much. I do find them pretty relaxing as Teri C. says. Hopefully I can get moving on to some other avenues soon. Still plugging along on the Maytagaramas. May try my hand at pointalism (sp?) soon also. Up late again as VolleyGirl was up late finishing a project for school, seems it has been that way all week.... yea! it's finally Friday! Have a great weekend!

It's Better For You Than Ice Cream

Today I have some cleaning and cleaning out to do, ugh, lots of vaccuming too. The vaccuming is not knee and back friendly but it needs to be done. Still wish I could twinkle my nose like Samantha on Bewitched! VolleyGirl had hours of homework last night or I would have had her do it. Pretty much homework and volleyball is all that she does, her room is going to require a bulldozer, since I refuse to touch it. Spring Break from school is coming up so she will have time then.......keep the door closed till then.

I created a new zentangle last night but this one was created last week when I did the flower one. Last night Mr Unplugged and I had been in the den a bit when I announced it was time for a zentangle. "What's that?", he asked. "What do you think it is," I said. "Is that some kind of ice cream?", he replied.

Tomorrow, Apollo takes the platform.

Weekend Update

We have our first snow on the first day of March!!!

I created this zentangle last night while we were watching a little tv together after the day of volleyball. Welcome to March and Spring???

VolleyGirl played well in this weekend but her team was eliminated in the second match of tournament play on Sunday.

Have a lot of catching up to do around here at home and with all my blog friends! Give me a day or two.....there's laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning.....ugh. I had already been feeling a bit under the weather and two days of cheering have left me terribly hoarse but I'm betting you will even notice!!! Mr. Unplugged and VolleyGirl requested my silence last night however.............(no respect at all around here! Ha.)

Bowing To My Habit

Yes, I'm hooked. It is 10 p.m. and I must get up around 5 or so to get ready and go to the volleyball tournament and what am I doing? Talking to my imaginary friends....oh, I know you are not but that just popped in my head. Did I mention that by 2 a.m. I still could not fall asleep last night? So, crazy talk now. Anyhow, I wanted to post a little ink ditty composed the other night, I'm not sure if this qualifies as a zentangle or not. I texted it to my son yesterday and he replied, "What the h___ is that?" Now, first, is that anyway to text yo' mama? Uh-uh. But the point is it's just not his thing, even though he is majoring in art and doing his share of it right now. Hey, I have a very point-blank crew around here that is mostly interested in art that is realism. It makes me laugh. Upon showing some work to Mr. Unplugged I get, "What's that for?" I say it's for fun. So y'all have fun today!