Day 30

     Wow!  I actually finished the 30 day creative challenge without missing a day.  It is not really amazing that I created something each day for 30 days.  Over the summer, I go into creative overload.  (Some would tell you that is actually no differance than any other day).  The amazing part is that I posted this blog for 30 days straight.  That was the only hard part about the challenge.  But I did it!
     I am not sure I followed the directions correctly for Diva's challenge.  I think so, but I am not sure.  I did have fun with it however.

     I am not sure what type of challenge Kelly is cooking up for us next but if you want to play along head over to her blog.  It promises to be fun!
     Thanks for dropping by and have a blessed day!

Day 29 - Under the Sea

      I finished!!  I pulled out all my pens, pencils, and markers and set about to finish today.  I used lots of bright colors.  I debated for a long time about a watercolor wash over the whole thing for the water.  I finally decided to do one but keep it very light.  I wasn't sure how the pencils and such would react to watercolor.  I had done crayon resist with children a school a ton of times, but that was crayon. 

Week 26

       Have a blessed day and thanks for dropping by!

Day 28

     I meant to work on my ATCs again to day, but when I saw the prompt for Journal 52 - Under the Sea, I had to take some time to play with that page.  I had all sorts of fun drawing sea things all over the page, now I have to color this.  Hopefully I can post that finished page tomorrow.

     Thanks for dropping by and stop by tomorrow for a look at this finished.   Have a blessed day.

Day 27

    More initial ATCs for my swap.  My plan is to finish these this week, only 3 more to go.  I then hopefully will be able to mail some if not all of them.  Postage is a killer! 

     Have a blessed day!!

Day 26

     For some reason I just did not get so much done in the crafting department today.  I have been extremely tired  - again -  and just could not get motivated.  I did manage to finish some ATCs for a swap I am in and that will help.  Only 4 more things to go for these swaps.  Maybe tomorrow. . .

     Thank you for coming by.  Have a blessed day!!

Day 25

     Bonjour!  Today I worked on my journal page for Journal 52 - week 22.  The prompt is "travel".   I have never been to France and likely never will, but it is a place of fascination for me.  I love the language and spent most of today absorbed in French language programs.  I will one day learn this beautiful language of my ancestors.  One day. 
     The journal page is far from complete.  I hope to get some French stickers or something to add to it when I go to Michael's one day.  I water colored the background then printed 6 copies of the Eiffel Tower.  I cut each one out and layered pieces on the background to give it depth. 

     I will do a better scan of it when it is complete.  Thanks for dropping by and have a blessed day!  Au revoir!

Day 24

     String challenge # 46 with Adele Bruno!  That is all I may get to today.  I have spent the day doing this challenge.  Well, starting and restarting this tile.  I had a major "argument" with every tangle I tried.  I love the look of "jilli" (the area that has some blue on it), but I cannot get those shapes to flow.  Not at all.  There are several tangles that use that shape, but they give me a fit.

     Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have a blessed day!

Day 23

     It is hard to believe I have posted for 23 days straight!  Oh my.  I love this 30 day creative challenge, but these daily posts are hard to get to.  Not the creating part - that is a given over the summer for me, but the posting . . .
      I finished my journal 52 page that I started yesterday.  It is for week 24 and the prompt was courage.  I found a text I like and wrote it in the center of a piece of cardstock.  Then I tangled a border around the text.  The daily prompt was to use a color you are fond of.  Had to be blue or purple.  I debated for quite a while whether to color the whole border, but finally decided on just highlighting some parts.  I like it better that way.

Week 24 - journal 52

      Diva's challenge #173 was given by guest Sharla Hicks this week - "Redux, Remix, and Revisit".  My tiles aren't overly creative in that department but when I saw the directions to use gel pens as a watercolor wash - I couldn't wait.  So I played a bit with betweed - one of my favorite go to tangles and then again with some mooka.   I then played with using my gel pens to "paint" with.  This is so cool!  I plan on maybe another visit to this challenge if I have inspiration this week, but now this is what I have come up with.  Check out the site by guest blogger Sharla Hicks here.  It is really a good bit of information about how to add some color.

       Every Inchie Monday's word was "maid".  I will take one!  I drew a silhouette of a maid and then watercolored the background.  I really wanted to do a tiny feather duster, but couldn't figure out how.  I know when I look over the other entries, I probably will see one - these ladies are super clever.

      Thank you for dropping by and visiting.  Please leave me a comment and perhaps consider following my blog!  Have a blessed day!

Day 22

     I finished up this tile for the swap and then I worked most of the day on my journal 52 entry for courage.  You will see that - hopefully completed - tomorrow.  It still need some work.

     Thanks for dropping by and have a blessed day.

Day 21

       Fueled by yesterday's mandala, I used the same process to do a tile.  As I said before, this is lots of fun.  A little more free and breezy than I am used to. 

     I also finished up another tile I had started a couple of days ago.  I want to have all the swap things ready to mail, when I get some postage money.

      Thank you for dropping by and I hope you have a blessed day!

Day 20

     Quite often I haven't followed the prompt for this challenge.  Not that I don't think about it.  It just seems that my creativity takes a turn in another direction.  But today was different.  The prompt was to do a mandala.  I love those so I thought I would follow along.  Besides I was really inspired by Kelly's beautiful organic piece.
     I drew a mandala with the stencils, inked it in and started thinking about tangles to use.  It was very geometric - which a lot of my things tend to be.  It was structured and well laid out.  And boring.

Nope, too boring!

     So I got the stencils back out and put the dots on my paper.   This time instead of drawing in the outline, I "connected" the dots with organic patterns.  Then I filled in all the spaces.  It is not perfectly balanced in that all sides match, but I did keep basic shapes and numbers of things balanced.  For example, if one spot has 5 leaves, all corresponding areas have 5 leaves, even if they are not in the exact same place.

Ta - da!!

     I had a delightful time with this thing.  It was a blast to see it evolve and change.  I am definitely going to try this type of exercise again - maybe tomorrow!
     The stencils I am referring to are sold by Genevieve Crabbe at Tangle Harmony.  Check them out.  I have not used them in this way before but now that I have . . .
     Thanks for dropping by and sharing my fun!  Please leave me a comment!

Day 19

      More heat today.  Yuck.  I am not a real outdoorsy person, but I do enjoy some time out with Lakota for fetch and football.  He won't even stay out.  Poor guy.
      I had already had plans before I saw the prompt of  "candy".  Maybe we can count these as "eye candy".  For lack of a better connection.  The first thing I did was to play with a new tangle by Alice Hendon.  I just had to give it a try.  It is called "Dutch Diamonds".

      When I saw Ben Kwok's butterfly template I knew it had to be in color.  The problem is I struggle with getting color "right".  Don't get me wrong, I love color.  But it is not as zen to me as just working with black and white.  I tell myself "if I had better/more materials" but honestly that is just an excuse.  I like my butterfly - could even say I love it, but it is not as peaceful to do as those black and white pieces.

       Thanks for dropping by and saying hello!  I would love it if you considered following my blog!  And thanks for any comments you share!

Day 18

     There is an advisory due to heat today.  Sounded like a good day to stay inside and . . .  you guessed it, craft!  I haven't even gotten out of my pj's yet.  Bad me.  Everyone is just chillin.  Even Lakota doesn't want to go out.  He dashes out and takes care of business and then runs back to the door.
      I finished my inchie today.  The prompt was "lavender".  My favorite color, but hard to decide what to do with on an inch.  I used some tiny paper flowers I had from something else and then just embellished it.  I wish the yellow pen had showed up for the center, but since it would not, I used the orange.  Not real happy with the orange, but it works I guess.

      I worked on a couple of tiles also today. I have one ready for my swap and then did another for the string challenge over at Adele Bruno's site.

string challenge #45

      I just finished working on my french lesson.  I really would love to speak French.  I don't.  I know some, but I would thrill to be fluent in that language.  It is part of my heritage and just a beautiful language.  So I have this little program for my tablet and I work on it each day.  Who knows, maybe one day it will "stick"?
      I also got to plan some cards to put together.  I usually take a couple of days for that - one day to plan and another to cut and assemble.  Today was the planning day.
     Thanks for dropping by and leaving me some sunshine!  Have a blessed day!

Day 17

      I decided to work on some of those tiles that I need to get done for a swap today.  I need to finish them up and get them in the mail - I am already behind!  Story of my life as of late!  I finished up one tile and have a few others in the works.

     I hope you are having a great day!  Thanks for dropping by!

Day 16

     I worked a bit on my challenge for Diva's site today.  I feel like my mooka and auraknot are getting better, but still lack that flair I see others capable of.  They are both tangles I play with a lot so maybe I will get better.  At least I hope so.

challenge # 172

     I wish I could have taken a photo for my 30 day creative challenge and posted it, but it just didn't work.  Last night, as we were standing in the back yard with Lakota, I watched the trees fill and twinkle with fireflies.  My first thought was of running around, barefoot of course, with a jar in my hand at Nannie and Papa's house to capture them.  That was such a simpler carefree time.  Then my thoughts turned to blessings and reminders of God's love.  I have had a difficult few weeks due to "things", but I think the fireflies were sent to remind me to look up.  Think about all that is right and count my blessings.  I really wish I could have shown you a photo.  But since I can't, go outside and see if you have any fireflies to look at.
     Thanks for dropping by and paying me a visit.  I would love it if you could leave me a comment.  Have a blessed day.

Day 15

I decided to work on one of my Journal52  entries.  I was missing week 19 with the prompt of photography.  I really wish I had had ink to pirnt some of my old photos for the frames, but I didn't so I used some "photos" from a pack of emphemera.   I love "building" scenes with paper.

Week 19

      Then I decided to try and finish up my elephant.  I am very happy with the results.  I love the background.

Hope you are having a blessed day and enjoying Father's Day with some one special.  Thanks for dropping by.

Day 14

    Some days I seem to have all the time in the world to create, others, like today, not so much.  I probably spent more time staring at this elephant than drawing on it.  I suppose that is part of the creative process just the same.  I am so happy with the background, I hesitated to start on the elephant itself for fear of ruining it.  Hopefully tomorrow I will finish him.

     When I get it finished and shaded or colored I will do a proper scan, but for now, I am making do with my less than stellar photography.  Have a blessed day and thanks for dropping by.

Day 13

     I worked on on of Ben Kwok's templates today.  Not a lot of work, unless you count sitting and looking at it, trying to decide what to do.  I did that a lot.  But that is part of the creative process, isn't it?  I love what the background looks like, but can't decide on how to tangle the elephant.  I don't want him to appear too stripey!

      Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have a blessed day!

Day 12

     I spent some time today getting some ATCs ready for an online swap I am involved in.  Pardon the pictures, they are not the best.

     I have several more to go.  I love swaps because I get to see other people's art work "in person".  Thanks for dropping by and I hope you are having a wonderful day!

Day 11

     Another rainy day and time to craft!  Not minding that at all.  My goal today was to finish up one of the many journal 52 pages that I am behind in and also get my challenges and dares done for the week.  I worked on journal prompt for week 20.  The prompt was "book inspiration".  I love to read so this wasn't hard - it was hard to decide what book or books to use.  I went to an old child favorite - Dr. Seuss.  I love his wit and wisdom.  I watercolored the background, and then used pens and pencils to make the pieces to cut out.  I wrote quotes from lots of this books to fill the spaces. 

     Erin over at Bright Owl is back with her zendala dares!  I am so glad she has returned.  She asked us to think "happy" for this dare.  I love the colors black and red together so I went with them to make me happy.

      This week's challenge from Diva was to do something for Beads of Courage.  If you want to read more about this program for children check out her website (sidebar).  It is so wonderful.  I decided on a bit different take on this.  The past few days I have been struggling with decisions about some new medication for my a-fib.  All of this was made much more stressful due to a nurse who was . . . less than kind, shall we say.  It really has been quite of an emotional turmoil for me.  So I chose the heart to be my focus.  Then because I felt like I had been wandering around in a maze, I used the tangle "amaze" to tangle the whole heart.  Nestled in my heart, you will find some courage - perhaps a bit small at the moment, but there nevertheless.   Then I added just a few beads to represent the challenge.  It is very simple, but it means a lot to me particularly right now.

      While painting the background for my journal, I painted a tile to use for Adele Bruno's challenge.  Then I used the tangles she asked us to - all in green.

     Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have a blessed day. 

Day 10

     Thunderstorms and rain all day.  I loved the indoor time, even though Lakota wanted to go out and play.
      It seemed like a good time to get the Cricut out and finish the cards I designed the other day.  I usually design one day and cut and assemble the second.  It takes me pretty much all day to the cutting and putting together.  But I am not complaining.  I love making cards and giving them to the people I work with.  I have been giving our staff birthday cards now for as long as I can remember.  They are special people.

      There you have it!  I finished 10 cards today using the Folk Festival cartridge.  Loads of fun!  Thanks for dropping by and see you tomorrow!

Day 9

      It has been a tumultous day.  Well, more like the last 6 days have been.  I have been struggling with a decision over new medicine and have not felt the support and comfort I needed from my doctor.  I think I have finally found some comfort and reached a decision - shaky but a decision.  So I needed a few zen moments today.  I used my tiny bit of crafting time to finish up my owl template.  I really like him, but sort of feel like the beak disappeared too much.  If I ever decide to do him again, I will leave the beak empty of tangles.

      Thanks for dropping by and I hope your day is blessed!

Day 8

      For our prompt today we were asked to use a some color.  I decided on just a little color to help the mandala pop.  And of course, I chose my favorite colors - blue and purple.  I drew this mandala for a swap over at Cindy Angiel's Rainbow Elephant.  We had to draw a mandala then . . . "slice and dice" it into ATC cards.  Once I finished using my stencils to create the mandala and fill it with tangles, I am hoping I have the nerve to cut it into pieces.  Ouch!

      I also finished my inchie for Every Inchie Monday.  The word this week was "legal".  I decided on a judge's gavel.  Order in the court please!

      Thanks for dropping by and paying me a visit.  Since I am totally committed to this 30 day creative challenge, I will see you tomorrow.  Have a blessed day!!

Day 7

       I started this rhino template (Facebook - Ornation Creation) many weeks ago back when school was in progress.  I worked on it a little here and there during my art club time.  When I packed up to bring things home for summer, I almost left him at school, thinking I really wasn't too keen on it.  So when I found him peeking out of my book bag, I thought he might deserve a second glance.
       I finished the tangling and then used colored pencils to give him a nice gray look.  After that I cut him out and put laid him on some jungle scrapbooking paper I have.  He just didn't pop.  So I backed him in black and think that is a better look.  I love the look of rhino hide on the paper - makes him feel at home, I think!

      Thank you for dropping by and saying hello!  Have a blessed day!

Day 6

      I am trying to get tiles finished for the tile swap (which I am already far behind in).  So this was a good opportunity to work on those again.  Nothing major, but some relaxing fun.

    Thanks for dropping by!

Day 5

    I am working on tiles for a facebook swap.  So I used today to work on on of those.  Great opportunity to use some tangles from my new Design Original books, # 9 and 10.

     Been a haywire sort of day so I needed some zen.  My doctor wants to put me on a new med for my a-fib - Eliquis.  I researched it on the internet and it seems okay.  But meds, new meds, make me nervous.  I want to do the right thing and I just don't know what to do.  It doesn't help we are "talking" through a nurse.  I wish doctors knew how to use a phone.
     Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have a wonderful day.

Day 4

     For today's creative entry, I worked on my tile for Adele Bruno's string challenge.  I love the string and most of the tangles she chose for this week.  I didn't have as much crafting time today as I had to do the "doctor thing".  I suppose I should have brought my things to tangle while I waited.  But I forgot them.  Oh well.
    

     Thanks for droppin by.  Hope you are having a wonderful day!  See you tomorrow!

Day 3

      Oh please tell me this counts even if I don't have a finished project . . .
      Over the summer I spend a lot of time making cards and getting them ready for the school year.  I give birthday cards to everyone in my school building.  There are Christmas cards to be made.  I also have some other occasion cards on hand.  I start out by choosing a Cricut cartridge that I would like to focus on.  Then I go through magazines and Pinterest to find ideas.  I sketch them out and then grab my Gypsy and start designing.  This usually takes me the better part of one day.  Today, for example, I chose the Folk Art Festival cartridge and worked on designing cards.  When I finished I had 8 cards ready to cut and assemble.  Now when I pull out my cricut, I can finish them up.  I suppose for some this seems like a lot of extra work, but I find it goes pretty smoothly for me.  Here are some pics of my crafting today - I will post the cards when I have a chance to work on them.

     I also use this "over involved" process to work on my scrapbook pages.  With the Gypsy, I can sit and plan pages then when I have time I can cut and work on them.   Thanks for dropping by and visiting.  I am visiting all the sites involved in this challenge, but sometimes I can't get my system to let me leave a comment - but I am enjoying seeing all the work and I will keep trying to let you know!!
      One of my goals this summer is to conquer posting and putting pictures on my blog from my tablet (android).  It certainly would be very convenient if I can do this.  Maybe if I do that for thirty days I will be able to do it without feeling like I am stumbling through the process.  We will see.