A Real Challenge!

     When I get obsessed about something, it takes over.  I wish I didn't do that as it has interfered with more than one night's sleep.  Well, I got in my head last night as I was trying to fall asleep that I would put my first math unit into a google slide show.  Fine, except I have never used that and had NO idea what I was doing.  But my obsession would not let me stop.  So first thing this morning I took to youtube.  Watched a few videos.  Then opened everything up and prepared to struggle.  It was not as hard as I imagined.  Actually, I think it looks pretty good.  It did take me all day.  I would love to do this for all my units.  I see potential here.  I am just not sure I have one day to devote to every unit I teach, lol!
     Now for some challenges of a different sort.  I worked on these the day before though I probably could use some zen time now for sure.  Every Inchie Monday's word was physics.  So I googled it and this is what I found.  I could not come up with a better idea.

     Diane Clancy's challenge uses the letters RVI.  I have to admit this tile is not my favorite by a long shot.  Oh well, can't love them all.  I used reencuentro, v-way, and infinity.

     When I started gnarly on Made by Joey's string, I wasn't too happy here either.  Some days are like that.  However the more I drew the better I liked it.  I enjoyed doing white on the brown areas for contrast.  

     Whenever I sit down to craft or draw, my "buddy" plants himself as close to my chair and me as he can get.  I love having him so close, but getting up and down can be a bit . . . uh . . . obstructed.  The joys of a giant dog.  Wouldn't have it any other way.

Please do not wake me.

      Thank you for dropping by and I hope your day is going wonderfully. 
   

Hot Weather!!

     Seven and one half inches below the year's average rainfall.  Temperatures are closing on 100.  Yes, it is summer.  Full force.  The time for me to stay inside and uh, keep my eye on the air conditioner.  Closely.
     Also a great time for tangling.  I have signed up to help with the pattern database project headed by Ina Sonnenmoser for Pattern collections.  This site is totally awesome for tanglers.  Every tangle is listed by several different ways - alphabetically, framework, author, and more.  It also is a very fast website to look things up on.  I love it.  So when given the chance to do some drawing for her database, I jumped at the chance.  So far I have done 28 of them and have another 20 to work on when I finish with the blog.
     I took some time to roam around on pinterest.  (I can totally get lost over there).   I located a really pretty design and decided to make one of my own.  I wish I knew who the inspiration belonged to, but  don't.  Either way after looking at it, I closed it down before starting my own - so while inspired it is NOT a copy. 

     Diane Clancy's challenge was to use the letters NWL.  Diva's challenge was to use the colors red, white, and black.  See where I am headed?  Why not combine the two challenges?  I enjoy it when challenges can work together especially when I have a "few" other things to do.  (Like 20 more tiles).

nulink, wagon wheel, log cabin

     For Made by Joey's weekly challenge, we had to use her circle template and the tangle maryhill.  I love that tangle.  When shaded it creates such an optical illusion.  The center tangle is klokwork.

     Party!  At least that is what Every Inchie Monday wanted us to do.  Though it is hard to see, my inchie is folded and inside I wrote the word - SURPRISE!  When I think of party, I think of surprises.

      Now I think I will head off and do some tiles for the database.  That is so much fun.  I love focusing on one tangle.  It makes you really appreciate each one.  Of course, there are a few other things I might work on too.  Who knows?  But it is summer and I have time.  And I am not leaving the air conditioner!
     Thanks for dropping by and I appreciate so much each and every comment you leave.  Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Time for . . .

challenges, resting, drawing, school work, computer games, and sooooo much more!  Oh I love the relaxed pace of summer.  This past week I have worked on some challenges and also done a lot on cutting out and planning things for my school bulletin boards.  I have decided on a garden theme for the decorations in the room.  I will post pictures when I have them put up in the room - end of July.
    The Every Inchie challenge word was "radio".  I started to draw a radio then decided on the IHeart radio symbol.  Not really unique, but anyway here goes.

    The Diane Clancy challenge uses the letters DCA for tangles.  I used dessus-dessous, cirque, angelfish, and auraleaf.

     Made by Joey had a really neat circle string this time - three little circles inside of a larger one.  Putting the tangle socc inside the small circles was interesting.  I enjoyed using that tangle - I had forgotten how much I liked it when it first came out.  Sometimes it is fun to return to "old friends", even if for just a bit.

     Diva's challenge was to do something for the Beads of Courage.  You can read about what this organization does for youngsters facing a lot of medical procedures on her site (see side bar).  I decided to use the beads to honor the courage of those who have had to deal with the horror of Orlando.  Some with losses.  Some with coping with the clean up and justice process.  I chose one bead for each letter in Orlando.  Then found a tangle that began with that letter.  I also added a heart to show my heart is with those folks.  My tangles are operation, rainbow bridge, log cabin, akirfa, nzeppel, dash off, and o2.

      This last piece was just for fun.  No challenge, just time to play around.  Sometimes I don't do enough of that.  I get caught up in challenges (which I love) and forget to spend time to do my own creating.  For no reason except to express myself.

      I think when I finish here I am going to work on some math plans for the beginning of the year.  I actually love to do that.  Now, I don't love doing it when I am pushed for time.  But over the summer it is seriously one of my favorite things to do.  Strange, huh?
     Thank you for dropping by and saying hello.  I really appreciate all the wonderful comments you take the time to share with me.  This community of artists means so much to me.  It has seriously changed my life.  Again thank you for being a part of it.  Have a wonderful day!

Yahoo! My books came!

    After much to-do, my coloring books finally came.  And I must say it was worth the wait. They are very nicely done.  They are packed full of Ben Kwok's templates to color and tangle and play with!  But one of the nicest things (well, to me at any rate) is that inside both of the books there is some of my art work.  There is an wonderful thrill every time I see my name in print - however small it might be.  Beyond that, if you like coloring books and like tangling these are two really nice books.  I plan on buying some more of this series of templates by Ben.  Beats printing them.

     The pelican came from the Birds book.  My funky cat came from the Lovable Pets book.  I went a little crazy with the cat!  I used markers, gel pens, watercolor pencils and regular pencils - anything I could reach!  While not at all my usual treatment of a template, I really like him.

     Every Inchie Monday's word was ghastly.  I honestly had no clue what to do.  So I went with the first thing in my head - a tiny representation of  "The Scream".  It isn't really super, but it does get the message across, I hope.

     Diane Clancy's alphabet challenge is one of my very favorites.  It sort of forces me to look for tangles that I don't use so often.  The letters were BPU.  I used batumber, pokeleaf, and u-four.

     With the Roman numeral challenge behind us, Made by Joey came up with another good series of challenges - circle templates.  Sounds like fun.  This week we had to use the tangle flux in the template.  I chose to use a monotangle.  Well, it really sort of chose me.  I got carried away with flux. 

     I guess it is time to go and cut some birthday cards.  I haven't done any cutting since I got out of school and my poor little Cricut looks a bit lonely.  I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and took advantage of a really good paper sale and now I am ready to get cutting.  Thank you for dropping by and saying hello!  Have a great rest of the week and I will be back again soon!

Monday is Challenge Day!

     The weather was incredibly hot on Monday and I am battling a sinus infection which has got me more than a bit cranky, so staying inside away from the pollen and doing challenges was my idea of a wonderful Memorial day. 
     Made by Joey's Roman numeral challenge has finished.  I completed number XV.  Joey says she has another series ready for us - I can't wait to see what that might be.  Here is tile XV and the completed page of all fifteen.  What a fun challenge this has been!  Thanks, Joey!

      Oops, just noticed the top of XV got chopped off in the scan.  Oh well, the whole thing is visible in the full version.
     Every Inchie Monday's word is "robot".  I can't wait to see all the cute and interesting robots over on the site.  You really should go check out this fun challenge - it is only a tiny inch a week and soooo much fun!

       Diva challenge # 270 was to use the new tangle skye.  I love this tangle.  However, don't interrupt me while I am attempting it - I might go "less than zen" all over you!  It is a really hard one for me.  I struggle with what goes where through the whole thing.  I am getting better, but not by much.  Because of the struggle it isn't so relaxing for me.  Maybe it will bet that way.

     I have sort of a mini zendala for the Diane Clancy challenge #59.  I started out with heartstar, then added some Maddie around it.  I needed a tangle to use the letter s, so I chose sandswirl. 

     The last thing I worked on is a coloring sheet, not my own drawing.  There is a coloring contest on a website and I am going to enter it.  I enjoy coloring though I don't always do a lot of it.  Sometimes the ease of just black and white is more peaceful.  Sometimes.  There are those moments that just scream  "COLOR!"  You know the kind.

    Okay.  All this week's challenges are complete.  Now what does a crafty lady do???  I think when I finish here I will head over to Cricut's Design Space and get some cards made up.  I love that program and could play for hours just designing, not too mention the cutting and assembly.    Considering the heat is still massive, not to mention the pollen, I definitely will be choosing something from the inside.  Have a wonderful day!  Thank you for dropping by!