My "Corel" Week

     If you see my facebook page at all you know I am playing with a new toy this week.  I got a Wacom drawing tablet and Corel Painter Essentials.  I am very much a newbie, but I am having fun - which was my intention to begin with.  Thought I would share this week's endeavors -

     I am still playing with tools and how to do different things (that is pretty obvious), but I am getting more comfortable with where things are.  I am also getting used to using a drawing pen.  Just thought you might like to see what I am doing.
     By the way, please think of me on this coming Wednesday - that is surgery day!  I am both excited and anxious.  I really can't wait to actually SEE better.  But of course there is the "fear factor".  I doubt I will have another post til later next week - by then I can tell you how I survived!  Take care and have a great weekend!  Hugs!

Moving forward . . .

     Thanks to all of the encouragement I got and tales of how simple it would be, I went to the eye doctor yesterday.  Four hours!!!  I was exhausted.  First we had the regular eye exam and then they did the pre surgery stuff.  Surgery is scheduled for October 4th.  While I am still nervous, I am not quite as terrified as I had been.  Probably won't sleep the night of but then that is just me.  I am still reeling from the cost.  My insurance will not cover a penny of this due to my unmet deductible.  So it is all out of my pocket.  That is enough to make me sick, but then I look on the bright side and think for once  in my life I will have the ability to cover it, even if it will leave a rather large hole.  I am still blessed.  I am also very ready in some ways to just get this done.  That being said as I sit here nose nearly touching my laptop screen and still seeing a blur. 
     Every Inchie Monday's word was boa.  Unlike a lot of people, I don't fear or mind snakes.  I don't want to see one unaware, but if I know it is there it doesn't bother me.  My brother used to have several different kinds, due to a friendship with a herpetologist.  He had a boa, Maggie, that was nearly 5 feet long!  She was the only one I ever felt comfortable holding.  Her personality was so gentle.  She even came for a visit to my classroom.  The others - much, much smaller - I would never hold. 

     One more snake tale.  Once we were on the playground at school, several classes.  The kids came screaming that there was a snake!  Teachers ran and got kids onto the mulch area and were yelling and carrying on.  The snake was slowly making his way to the mulch.  A child went inside to find the janitor (who by the way was scared to death of snakes).  So I grabbed a long stick and went over to the snake and gently kept pushing it away to change its direction.  No biggie really, but the kids thought I was very brave and a hero!  So funny.  One child even told me I looked just like Steve Irwin!  (We will never tell them that if it had been a mouse, I probably would have run inside and left them to fend for themselves!!)
     Two more weeks to see the end of the Joey project!  I am really loving this.  It is so much fun! Hey, I will be able to actually see it soon!  Lol!

      Diva's challenge was to use "Crazy Nzeppel".  I love this tangle and I found I like this variation even better!

      A couple of things from my sketch book. 

      I am now in the process of learning how to use a Wacom tablet and Corel Painter Essentials.  I am loving it but need to get a lot better.  I love learning new things.
     Before I forget - I would love to have a "chop" for my initials.  Any of you creative souls have any ideas?? I don't have interesting initials like some (or at least I don't think so).  My initials are CSC.  Any ideas would be appreciated.
    Guess it is time to head off to something else!  Thanks for dropping by!  Hugs!

Wonderful Wednesday

    I usually try to post on Tuesdays, but yesterday I was busy.  In the morning I went to my first retired educators meeting.  While not necessarily thrilling, it was interesting.  I enjoyed seeing some old friends I had lost touch with and it was a chance to get out.  The highlight of my day was the afternoon.  I went back to the school where I taught and spent the afternoon visiting.  Oh that was delightful!  I got to hug and and be hugged (attacked is really a better word) by my kids from last year.  They are all so precious to me.  Then I wandered the hall way and visited with lots of old friends.  There are so many new faces it was hard to keep up with who they were.  I thought perhaps after all my anxiety about leaving that returning to visit would kick all of that back up.  Not so.  Today is a wonderful Wednesday and here I sit chilling and talking to you and making plans to draw later.  My day, how I want it.  Yes, it is a wonderful Wednesday!!
     Every Inchie's word is trout this week.  My brother suggested just doing a bottle of tartar sauce since that is how he would like to see some trout.  I went with the more "alive" version. 

     Space number six for the Joey's Inspiration Challenge!  I can't wait to see this one finished. 

     Here are just a few more things I worked on this past week - a coloring page and a couple of pages in my tangle sketchbook.

     I plan to work a bit this afternoon on my future coloring book.  It seems from all I have read that I now need to take all my drawings into a computer program, probably Inkscape, and "clean them up".  I have no idea what I am doing.  I hope it becomes obvious when I actually start, if not I am totally lost, lol!  I will let you know how it goes. 
     Thanks for dropping by and I hope you are having a wonderful day!

Joy in the Morning

      Many years ago I read a book by the title of Joy in the Morning.  I don't remember much about it now except the title.  Of course that title has lots of meanings beyond this book.  For me this morning it means the wind, and most of the rain, have gone.  We have no limbs down and we never lost power.  Considering the slightest wind can scare me, I feel very blessed it never got very harsh last night.  My heart goes out to all of those who dealt with so much more - losses and relocations.  My prayers have been with them (and perhaps you if you were in the storms or fires).  But to me this morning looking out at the wet, there is a bit of joy in this morning.
      A starfish for Every Inchie Monday!  My favorite color and a few glittery gel pen dots and he is happy to wave at you!

      Diva's challenge was to use squares.  Since I lean toward grid based tangles this wasn't difficult!  I think I must like their order and control.  Mmmmmm . . . what does that say about me?  Not too sure.

      Joey's challenge is so much fun!!  The hard part for me is waiting for the next tangle assignment.  I want to keep going and finish this piece! I try to make sure the current piece links well to the surrounding tiles - not always easy.  Four more weeks and I can see this product in completion.

      The last piece is one I take no credit for at all.  In fact it is totally a copy of one brilliant piece done by Lynn Shelton Mead over at A Tangler's Mind.  She gives step by step directions for her awesome piece and explains her thinking for connecting the 3 tangles.  I was mesmerized so I had to try it.  But understand, if you want to see a much better example check out her site!

      Now on to something else!  Have a wonderful week and I hope you and all your loved ones and belongings are safe - God bless!

Hermit Crabs and other Challenges!

     

      I love hermit crabs.  They are one of my favorite animals.  I have always been fascinated by their behavior.  Okay, now I don't want to start any heated discussions, but I know that it is advised (strongly) against keeping them as pets - cruel, bad for the environment, etc.  I get that.  Honestly.  Over the years I have had many, many of these adorable pets.  At one time I had a huge 20 gallon tank set up with sand, water, and climbing items.  I fed them crab food plus fruits and veggies.  I took them out once a week and misted them to prevent their drying out.   All of that is said in my defense of being a good crab owner.  One of my crabs was as big as a man's fist!  He was quite a thing to watch lumbering about.  Just taking the time to draw one made me think how nice it would be to have some more - you need more than one because they are quite social!  Also did you know that late at night they make these delightful "chittering" sounds?  Yep.  I do think ANY animal kept wrong is cruel.  But I did my research and hopefully gave them a good home for the years I kept them.  Anyway, here is my inchie.

      Loving this 9 tile Joey challenge!!  I am trying to pull a little from the tiles they connect to each week.  It is a challenge for me not to add even a little on the next week's tile. 

      A zendala for the FB journal challenge.  I love coloring or drawing mandalas.  They are so peaceful to do.

      And last a page from my newest coloring book.  I tried to stay with the warm color palette.  This one was nice because I did not have to worry about realism!  Just color!

       And now, off to . . . I am not sure what!  Whatever I want I guess.  I bought a vegetable spiralizer this week and I need to figure out how it works.  My plan is to spiralize (is that not a word?) zucchini to use as a replacement for pasta - an effort to help with the carbs.  We shall see.  My brother is looking at me somewhat skeptically.  He could be right1
      Thanks for dropping by!  By the way, if you left me a message about a swap, I need more info to contact you!  Hope you read this!  See you all!