Well, it wasn't a vacuum cleaner!

     I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday!  I certainly am enjoying this season and do not want the joys of Christmas to end.  But then, not having to return to school, I guess it may not.
     My Christmases of years past was lots of family and a rather large celebration.  Then people moved and losses occurred so that it became just my brother and me.  We are quite like a couple of very young children from the moment the tree goes up.  And since we have no other family to buy for - well, we go a bit overboard.  We generally hand each other a list and then throw in some surprises for each other.  My list was a few coloring books, some zentangle journals and pens, and a set of Inktense pencils.  Remember I said he was driving me nuts with his surprises? 
     You must understand about the vacuum cleaner remark.  We own a pretty good vacuum cleaner.  I have never in all the many years we owned it, used it.  Okay don't laugh or judge.  I just haven't.  My hand has never "driven" that piece of equipment.  Ray does that.  Always. So he took to saying he had gotten me a brand new deluxe vacuum cleaner.  Which of course I knew he had not, but that was all I heard - how this model would be great for me and how pretty it was.  He almost had me believing him.  He even went so far as to say he had wrapped a smaller box and stored the real deal in his car.  Brothers can be so nasty!  (But oh so wonderful!)  My surprises were a CD I did not even know was out - love Jim Byrnes and the blues, a rather "sweet" gift card that was also in part a birthday present and 3 more seasons of the show Highlander!  I did a rather good happy dance!!
     The last inchie??? Oh how sad.  I will miss the inchies, but I also will miss the community.  I have talked with someone about trying to help keep it going.  I just don't feel like I know what to do.  We will see where that goes.  In the meantime - the word of the week was goat.

      Here are a few of this week's coloring pages.  I did one in my new grayscale book, but I don't feel very confident about that.  I will improve.  I hope.  The flowers are done with the Inktense pencils, oh wow are they vibrant!! 

      Went shopping for groceries today since we could have some bad weather.  I didn't want to be stuck without food in the house.  Of course, if we lose power, I could be stuck with not so good food in the house.  Yuck!  I also bought a teeny tiny birthday cake.  That is my very favorite dessert in the whole world.  So once a year I treat myself.  Can't have it in the house any other time - too big a temptation.
      After the tree comes down I am going to pull out our treadmill and try to walk some.  I had done really well for a while but got . . . lazy.  No good word for it.  I am going to sign up for a "virtual race" that can be done at your own pace and however you want so I am hoping for motivation.
      Thanks for dropping by and I hope you are having a blessed day!!
    
    

Photo overload, sorry!

      I promised pictures of my Christmas cards so sit back for a few moments and indulge me!  I worked for three days on these!  I always say I will start on gifts and cards really early (like summer), but do I ever?  No.  Not even with more time than usual this year.  Anyway, I had a lot of fun constructing these and now just hope they make it through the mail without destruction!

          The inchie word was either moose or reindeer for this week.  I had to do Rudolph of course.  Although a "Chris-moose" was a consideration! It is so hard to believe that next week my beloved Inchie challenge will end - forever!  I do hope someone takes up the mantle and keeps it going.  I really considered it, but I would have no idea on how to proceed.  Oh well, here is Rudolph!

     Joey's challenge this week was to tangle around the word PEACE using tangles that began with each letter of the word.  I used pax, evilgram, anooka, chainging, and elfhat.  I am very satisfied with the results.  Do wish I had centered it on my page, but  . . .

     I seriously cannot wait until Christmas and opening packages.  Yes, I am quite the kid at this season.  My brother and I have a blast shopping for each other and tormenting each other with hints.  He has been particularly mean this year.  I usually get some idea what he has done, but it is a total no-go this year!  I know he will get the things I asked for - coloring books, zentangle supplies and the like, but it those "surprises" that drive me crazy.  Normally we open presents really early using the excuse that it would be nice if I could have more time to use the things I got before having to rush back to school.  But I cannot think of a reasonable reason to open NOW.  I better grab my pencils and get to staying busy!
     I hope you are having a wonderful week.  I will try to get in a post next week, but I don't know.  I hope to be very busy!  Merry Christmas and the happiest of Holidays to each and every one of you!

Brrrr!

     It is cold outside!  Winter has arrived!  They are giving some possible wintery mix around here this evening.  Now in this area that can mean either the sky will clear up or we will have several inches.   Weather in this area is so unpredictable.  I think the surrounding mountains (I am in a valley)  must make it complicated for the weatherman.  Whatever.  I will look outside to see what the weather is like.  Much more reliable.
    Inchie's word this week is wolf.  Wolves are one of my most favorite animals.  I love their majesty.  The howl is breathtaking.  I have seen only a few "in person" and they were in captivity, but I do love them.  Mine sort of looks like he is smiling and doesn't look as awesome as I wish, but oh well!

     Again I was able to combine Joey and Diva's challenges.  For Joey we were given a string and told to use the tangle Jax.  For Diva, a holiday tile.  So . . .  since I have some complicated Christmas cards to make today I opted for easy!

      A few of my coloring pages -

 

      Now on to those cards!  I purchased some SVGs to cut that are very complicated box and folding cards.  I want to finish them today.  Keep your fingers crossed they go together well!  I will picture them next time.
     Thanks for dropping by and I hope you are having a wonderful day!!

Gray Day

    It is so gray and dreary outside.  It is also raining.  The weatherman has whispered the snow word ever so slightly.  I doubt we will get any, but it does look to be cold enough the end of the week.   I have to go get groceries tomorrow so beyond that "let it snow"!  I would absolutely love a white Christmas.
     The Every Inchie Monday site draws to a close.  This will be the last year for that challenge.  I really hate to see that end.  There have been some very nice people I have met through that challenge.  I also have learned quite a few new words!  This week's word was wild boar.  Now I knew what one was but fortunately have never had any experience with one!  Unless you count seeing one in Disney's Lion King. 

     Joey chose my idea to start her Christmas tile challenge!  I suggested using a Christmas word to inspire tangling.  It could be done in several ways, but she added a link to embedded letters.  That was the start of my tile.  I used the word she chose, joy, and then just embellished all around it - trying to embed or hide the letters somewhat.  As an added bonus, Diva's challenge was to use the tangle afterglo.  So, I combined the two challenges and made a Christmasy arrangement.  I had so much fun with one.  I also kept telling myself to stop but had a hard time.  Even now I feel I could put that one little element in - but no!  It is done.

     And what would my post be without a few coloring pages?!  Here is a few more selections from Color It's book, A Colorful Christmas.

     Thank you for dropping by and leaving a comment.  I enjoy your "visits" so much.  Have a wonderful week!  Hugs!

Tom Turkey, Dewd, and a 3D object

     Good afternoon! I hope those of you that celebrated Thanksgiving are recovering from food overload!  It is just Ray and I but I overcook, and then don't cook for a few days.  Of course we get tired of leftovers, but who cares??  I have discovered my Instant Pot pressure cooker cooks one fantastic small hen.  I love that machine!
      On to a turkey who survived last week!  The inchie word is turkey and here is dear old Tom, breathing much better now that he has made it through the holidays!

      The 3D object challenges are finished at Joey's.  Who knows what will be next?  I can't wait to see.

      Diva's challenge was to use the tangle - dewd.  That is not one I am familiar with.  So off to youtube to find a video on how to do this tangle.  I really enjoyed learning it.  My tile is rather basic, but I think I will be using this again sometime very shortly.  It is a relaxing tangle to get into.

      I have been doing a lot of coloring here lately.  I enjoy just chilling and listening to some quiet music while I do that.  Very peaceful.  All my Christmas shopping is done.  A few orders need to come.  Tree is up and looks beautiful.  All set, Santa, so get here!

    Take care and thank you for dropping by!  If you are having snow where you are at, could you mail me some?  I really would love a white Christmas!  Bye now!  Hugs!

Happy Thanksgiving!

    I hope you are having a wonderful day.  If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope tomorrow is a wonderful one.  If not, well, I hope your tomorrow is still a wonderful one!  We went out this week and purchased a new Christmas tree - a much smaller one.  It is 4.5 ' tall.  It is prelit with white bulbs.  I have never had a tree with white bulbs, I have always had multi-color.  We also purchased a box of ornaments just to change things up.  I will post a pic or two next week when I have it completed.  I need to decide about a garland and some other items, but it is up and looks beautiful. 
     The inchie word was hedgehog.  Mine was a tiny bit larger than needed so some of him got clipped off.  I bought a paper punch with a one inch square years ago when I started this inchie thing and most of the time I can "guess" at the size, but hedgie got a bit bigger than he should have.

     Another 3D string to tangle from Joey.  We had to use the tangle paradox, one of my favorites.  There is also another challenge that I had to use the tangle cruffle so I combined the two of them.

    Diva's challenge was to do a duotangle with paradox and bunzo.  This is sort of a "wonky" piece.  I really didn't have a plan I just played with the two of them.  Not too happy with the results.

     Here are a few other things I worked on this week.  Both coloring pages are from Color It (of course).  The Christmas one is one the free downloads.  I am glad everyone seemed to enjoy getting the link.  It has been a lot of fun doing these.  The other coloring page is from their book, Blissful Scenes.  I have to admit I am really pleased at how the owls turned out!

     I need to get busy today.  I have several things I have to make ahead for tomorrow.  Have a wonderful week and take care!  Hugs!

Wednesday's Post

     Good morning!  I am glad you stopped by this morning.  I am inside where it is warm.  I suppose it is not really that cold outside compared to what some of you might be experiencing, but I am chilly. 
     Some good "medical" news!  My blood work looked good and my new A1c is 1.5 points lower than last time.  I have been working very hard - low carb bread, noodles, no heavy snacks . . . .  in other words struggling, lol!  But I am getting there.  Truth is I had gotten lazy there for a while.  When I first became diabetic, I went in to panic mode.  I wrote down every carb that went into my mouth in a little notebook - I mean EVERY.  Of course it paid off.  My hospital A1c was 12.7 and shortly after dropped to 6.9.  But living like that was wearing.  I sort of became obsessed.  Then I lightened up a little, then some more, then too much.  So now I am back to being more diligent, but not as fanatical.  Careful, not obsessed.  Okay, enough on me.
      The inchie this Monday was goose.  I chose to do the goose with her famous golden egg.  Sad news, Every Inchie Monday is ending after this year.  I really hate that.  I look forward to those little inches!  Perhaps I can find something to replace it, but it will be hard.

     This week's 3D object from Joey was to do the letter of our first name in 3D then tangle it using the tangle Elvira.

      I also completed several more coloring pages form the Color It freebies.  It was nice to see so many interested in checking them out.  They really are a great site.

     Now off to some online shopping.  I am trying to make up my mind about some Christmas presents.  I also am trying to decide whether to put a set of Derwent INKtense pencils on my own list.  Anyone use those?  What is your opinion?
     See you next week!  I hope you have a great week and take care!  Hugs! 



Wet Wednesday!

    Fall weather is here.  Cold (by my standards) and wet.  But since I no longer have to trudge out at 6 in the morning - I don't care!  Let it rain!  Now my dog who still has to make outside visits does care.  He does not like the rain at all.  Being a lab mix you would think he would, I guess the "mix" part is something that doesn't like rain. 
     The inchie word was owl!  I love this little owl.  He seems to have such a personality.  I really enjoyed looking at all the owl pictures when I searched for an idea.  They are gorgeous creatures.  I remember a school assembly (when I was teaching) and the nature center brought several birds of prey to show the kids.  They showed the owl and talked about him then they let him fly from one end of the assembly hall to the other.  No sound.  The owl made no sound as he glided over the heads of the children.  It brought chills to me.  So awesome.

     More 3D to work on over at Joey's Creative Inspiration.  This time since we had to use the tangle metal plates, I went with a steampunkish look.  Not my normal style. 

      For the Diva challenge we had to use the tangle wibble.  That is not one I have used so much, if at all.  I combined it with a facebook challenge and added the colors red and orange.

     I am enjoying getting a Christmas coloring page to print every other day from Color It.  The only problem is as I color I seem to be getting Christmas carols stuck in my head!  I wish you could see the glitter the gel pens add.  Take my word - it is sparkly!

     If you enjoy coloring and have access to a printer, go over to the Color It website and sign up for the free pages.  The art work is great and it is FREE, my favorite price!
     Thank you for dropping by and I hope you are having a safe and happy day! 

Happy November!!

     Yes fall is here.  The sky is gray - blue.  The air is chilled.  And the front yard is being covered in leaves.  And I am thinking hot chocolate!  What a wonderful time of the year!
      My inchie is the very famous Charlotte the spider spinning her web to help Wilbur.  I love that book.  Reading to children is probably one of the things I miss the most.  I love to read children's books.  I use all sorts of voices and drama and really get into it.  I had a child tell me once when I had been absent that even though the sub had read the book I had left, they wanted me to go back and read it again so they could "see" the characters.  Maybe I will record my very favorite Christmas tale and share it on here - we will see.

      The 3D object to fill was a cylinder.  Joey asked that we use Diva Dance on our work.  I kept mine simple.

      Diva's challenge was Hallow/Fall.  I decided on a pumpkin which covers both.  It also served as the last prompt for INKtober days. 

       And last a couple of coloring pages I had completed this past week.

    One more thing, I did a comparison of blending with colored pencils.  This might come in handy if you use them in your work.  I tried the four methods I have available with both my prismas and the polychromos.  I don't really have a favorite, it is just handy to have what they look like.

     Thank you for dropping by!  I love your comments.  They are my sunshine!  Hugs!

Fall Chill!

    The air outside is so cool and crisp - full of fall!  I love this time of year.  It is my favorite time I think.  Summer is my least favorite because I don't like the heat.  I prefer cooler weather.  I just got in from the cardiologist - good report, yahoo!  My cardio doctor is so nice, I really like him a lot. 
     The inchie word is squirrel.  It has to be Rocky.  The Rocky and Bullwinkle show was one of my absolute favorites as a child.   Bullwinkle cracked me up (the word moose is later on this year).  Can you tell with all these cartoon references I am a Saturday morning cartoon child?  The good old days!

     We are into 3D challenges over at Joey's and this week we had to use the tangle frunky in a 3D triangle.  If you look close you can see it. 

      Here are a few more things that I have worked on this week -

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