Challenge 52 - Give again

I've been working on bookmarks and wanted to give one to my step-sons wife when they were here the other day.  I like the way it turned out, except she'll have to read some pretty big books since it turned out wider than I thought it would.  After I added some embellishments, attached it to some textured card stock (thanks LeeAnn for the help there) and laminated it, I was glad I took the time to do it.  Even though the picture turned out crooked, it's just my photography skills (Tim and Jenny I need help!!) the bookmark was actually straight.  Laura hit the nail on the head with her Challenge because it does feel good to make and give something.  It's special for the giver and the receiver.  Happy day my friends!

Challenge 52 - Give

I guess this is the final Challenge for this year.  It's probably good since Laura has so much going on with her kiddo's and if you're anything like me, there's not been enough hours in the days lately so I'm sure I won't have to worry how to fill the time I have been working on the Challenges.  I am looking forward to another year of them come 2012.  Wow - 2012!!!  Weren't we supposed to be eating space food sticks and freeze-dried food by now?  Oh well, just glad we aren't!!!  This Challenge was to give - make something to give a piece of yourself away.  I made this for my step-son as we haven't seen him in a long time.  We've both lived away and are finally moving back a little closer together.  He has a wonderful family (a super nice wife and three adorable kids) so it was great to catch up.  Have an awesome week and be sure to make time for those who mean the most to you!

Challenge 51 - Fife

This is my last catch up piece for Laura's Challenges until she posts this weeks.  I do hope her kids are feeling better soon!  It's so hard when you have little ones and they don't feel well.  It takes a tole on the whole family but most often the mom carries the brunt of it.  Kids want their mommies when they feel icky!!  Come to think of it, I feel that way too but some luxuries fade away the older we get.  Darn!!  I'm enjoying sunshine here and I hope you are doing the same wherever you are!!

Challenge 50 - Biggify

I'm still trying to play catch up with my Challenge pieces.  If I hurry I might get caught up this week.  I've been busy working on some other projects and haven't had the tangling time I've wanted.  I was able to do some this weekend, so hopefully I can get them shaded and posted this week.  I'm really enjoying being back on my blog.  I'm not sure if anyone reads this (besides Mr. Thisorthat because I send it to him - he he!) but this is a great outlet for me and I truly missed be away.  Well, back to the drawing board as they say......

Hello Strangers!!!

I'm embarrassed that I've been away so long, especially after making a promise to myself to post everyday.  When I made that promise I wasn't expecting to pack our house and work (like a trooper) to get it ready to sell.  It was a much bigger task than I ever anticipated.  I'm just glad THAT part of it's done!  Now I have to wait for it to sell so I can really get things packed up.  In the meantime, I'm visiting family for the holidays and finally got the chance to play catch up with the things that I REALLY want to do.  This challenge piece is from a few weeks ago, but I figured I need to start someplace.  Happy day to all my Internet friends and followers!

Challenge 45 - Punzel

I was excited to try out this new pattern, but it proved to be more difficult for me than I thought it would.  After I finished the first one (which I'm not convinced it looks like it's supposed to) I decided to change my layout and added some different patterns.  I'll have to do some practice pieces before I attempt another "official" piece to post.  Practice makes perfect - right???

Challenge 44 - Tangle from inside

Yay, I'm back on track!!!  Even though it turned out a little crooked (which of course I didn't realize until I finished) I felt good about getting this week's challenge done. I'm sure I put too much pressure on myself so now I can breeze through the rest of the week.  This started as the Equerre from Genevieve Crabe and honestly I don't think I've used it too much.  I wanted to find a pattern that I could easily add other patterns to so when I saw this it was a winner for me.  I'm sure I'll use it again after seeing how easy it was.  Genevieve always comes up with the best patterns!!!  Anyway, I hope if you're one of Lauras' challengers that your piece comes as easy for you as this did for me.  Happy tangling my friends and a happy day to all!!

Challenge 43 - Sunflower Fun

I know LAST week was the Sunflower challenge, but for some reason I'm having challenge block.  I finally was able to come up with something Saturday night, which was too late to post for the challenge, but not too late to post on my blog.  So here it is - last weeks challenge.  I'm feeling pretty good about this week (it's less specific I guess) so hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to get it posted and be back on track.  I guess that's the good thing about having your own blog - you can do whatever you want - ha ha!  We're having the dreary version of fall here today so I hope you have sunshine wherever you are!

Challenge 42 - Hope

The challenge this  for was to tangle something representing Hope. Hope can and is a lot of different things to a lot of different people.  But after thinking about this, I've come to the conclusion that hope is something that spreads.  Even if it doesn't start with us (because we've lost hope due to something we're going through or have been through) the people around you that have hope will share theirs, which ultimately spreads hope all around.  You will eventually find your hope again (yes, I'm speaking from personal experience) and then it will be your turn to spread hope to others.  Really, we all have hope inside of us, we just get overwhelmed sometimes and forget its there.  Share your hope with someone who's misplaced theirs - it's a gift that WILL make a difference!!

Falling and spinning

During the week of the pinwheel challenge I must have started six or seven pieces that never made it to completion.  I just couldn't get the pinwheel concept from my head to my paper.  It was so frustrating!!!  This week I was just playing around and before I knew it, I had these pinwheel looking things staring at me.  How could that happen????  Well I guess whatever the reason is (like I don't do well under pressure, or I'm stubborn and only want to do things in my own time) I'm glad I got this done and it could fit into the challenge of weeks gone by.  Maybe the message is that it's ok to march to our own drum.  If that's the case my friends, then drum away!!!!

Coming together

I  am admittingly (if thats a real word) having a hard time with this weeks' challenge.  I've made three or four attempts to start it but have not been happy with any of them.  Why is a pinwheel so hard for me????  I wanted to get something posted and since all my free time has been spent doing challenge pieces that haven't turned out, this is my substitution for today.  It was nice to work on something that seemed to come together with ease.  I needed ease!!!

On another note, I'm sure most of you know Molossus, whose life imitates doodles (Sandra Strait) well she is having a giveaway celebrating her 300,000 views to her blog.  It's an awesome giveaway and it closes on October 1.  If you haven't checked her work out, you HAVE to!!!  She's one of the best there is and she is talented is so many mediums - a true inspiration to all (not to mention she's uber nice too)!!  So go check it out and enter.  But let me know if you win!!!

Challenge 39 - All you need is love

I thought when I saw the Challenge for this week it would be easy breezy, BUT I don't know how many drawings I started before I got far enough into this one that I finished it.  Love can be so many different things and as I found out, I love a lot of things!!  First and foremost my family, but also flowers, hearts, quilts, and color (which obviously didn't make it here).  Of course there are tons of other things that I love but how do you draw them???  There are friends, books, certain foods, places (like the beach), websites (I love reading others' blogs) and just too many to name or even draw.  So for today, these are SOME of the things I love!  Maybe tomorrow I'll get to the others.

Preclude to this weeks' challenge

I told you yesterday that I had done a trial run piece to this weeks' challenge.  I'm sure I've seen the paradox before, but since I'm not very good with the names of the patterns, I had to review some instructions before trying this one out.  After I got started on it, I really liked it!  It amazed me how by drawing the lines (which didn't look like they were making anything but a mess) ended up looking like this great pattern!  I think I need more work because I would like to be able to make a deliberate pattern, so I'm sure I'll be practicing this pattern more in the coming days/weeks.  I hope you're enjoying awesome fall weather wherever you are!

Challenge 38 - Between a pair of ducks

Since I have never used this pattern before, this proved to be a real challenge for me.  I have to admit that I did a practice run that I will post tomorrow.  I think I like how this turned out, but I like to use more than one pattern in my tangles so this was hard for me to stay within the challenge guidelines this week.  It helped after I did some shading, and I like the pattern, but I think next time I will have to add something else to go along with it.  Thats just a personal preference for myself.  Hope this is a great day for you!

Yay! Challenge 37 - Kiss my grids!

Well true to my word - I posted a new drawing and lucky for me it was this weeks' challenge.  I missed last weeks and kicked myself all week long.  First one since I started doing them (boo hoo)!  I probably wanted to do a little more to this one, but Little Miss Thisorthat has been keeping me busy today and since she's napping, I thought I had better get it posted.  Today is an awesome three-day weekend eve, so whatever you have planned this weekend, be safe and enjoy those around you!

Wrapping things up!

This is my last challenge piece for this week.  I'm glad I've had the time to play around with it.  Sometimes (like all of you) I get so busy that the challenge is just getting the piece done, but when you have the chance to really study and work the challenge, it becomes a whole different piece.  Also as I finish this up, my travels will take me home tomorrow.  This has been a wonderful break but like with any trip, it's always nice to think about going home to the things you're comfortable with.  I wish there was some way to pull both of my favorite places together, but since that's impossible, I'll just enjoy each place when I'm there.  Happy day my friends!

Another Challenge 35

I've found some time this week and I'm enjoying this challenge!  It doesn't seem as lengthy or time consuming to me so I've been able to do a couple of them.  I'm still not sure I have the total concept down, but I'm winging it this week and just going for it.  I hope today is an awesome day for you!

Final Pendrill!

I have been trying to take my time on this piece but when you're attempting to match it up with something else, it's much harder than I thought it would be.  I'm pleased with the way this turned out (which the perfectionist in me wants to re-do the first one now), and my sister-in-law was equally pleased.  She plans to mat and frame this one and the first one (thank you Laura for the pendrill challenge that started this all) which is awesome!!  It's wonderful when the people you care about, enjoy what you do.  If you know someone who does something you admire - tell them!  It will truly make their day!!

Challenge 35 - Tile on tile

I like the idea of this challenge, but I wish I had a tile to work with instead of my journal.  You can't pack everything with you when you're on vacation - so I've realized!  I've always been a fan of "picture in a picture" and I guess that's why I like this one so much.  I need to work on some new patterns I think so that everything doesn't look the same.  Hope you can find something cool to change up your day!

More Pendrils

I can't seem to stop drawing pendrills!!!  I seem to be stuck.  I have to color this one for my sister in law, but I have to be a little lighter on the pencils this time.  Hopefully I get it done tonight so I can post it for you soon.  I have a surprise for you tomorrow.  My nephew is getting married and I've been working on something for them.  You'll have to wait until tomorrow - he! he!  Happy evening my friends!