Something different

I found some blank blue note cards the other day and since I had just bought a new white gel pen, I wanted to play a little and see if the two worked together.  I'm happy to report I was pretty happy with the results.  I wish the gel pen had a finer tip so the patterns wouldn't seem so big (it's only a 4X6 card) but for a first time try I was not discouraged.  I know when you scan or photo anything dark the color doesn't stay with it, but I do wish you could see the dark blue - it's really pretty.  I thought I would add some embellishments but decided to do it after I posted this since they won't show up anyway.  Sometimes the glitter pens show up a little, but nothing like seeing it in person.

I'm sure you're super busy trying to tie things up for Christmas, or packing to get to that special place, so whatever you do or wherever you go, be safe, have a fabulous time, and be mindful of the birth of Christ.  Without Him we are truly lost in this world.  Merry Christmas my friends!!

Floating through the night sky

This time of year always seems to fly by so fast and everyone is in a rush to shop, attend parties, visit with friends and family, and lets not for all the cooking and baking!  Maybe that's why this appears to be so peaceful to me.  Like it's just out there doing it's own thing and following whatever or wherever path it chooses.  Don't get me wrong, I love this time of year for all of the reasons I mentioned above, but through it all we have to take time for ourselves (and to remember WHY we're actually celebrating) so we can have the peace we need to enjoy all that we're doing.  I hope you find time to enjoy some peace in your day!

Royalty

Some of the patterns I used here looked very regal to me.  Well one sort of has that court jester look to it, but that's kind of regal - right???  When I'm finally able to sit down and draw a little, I've been trying to incorporate some newer patterns.  Sometimes I finish a piece and it looks like something that was thrown together and then I'm not happy with it.  I mean, what's the point in taking the time to work on something if you're not going to be happy with the results.  I know some times it's a learning process but that's ok.  We all experiment.  The problem I have is when you're just throwing work out to get it done - like a competition or something.  For me art is something personal and you have to feel it for it to be completed and to be satisfied within.  Maybe that's why companies find good art (that someone has poured themselves into) and attempt to mass produce it.  It works on some level, but then again it doesn't.  I've been starting to think about Christmas (I know it's kinda late huh?) and the state of our country, so for me, I'm going to try and either make or buy hand made items this year to support our local artist and give money back to the place we call home.

Heading North

At the time I was drawing this, I didn't realize that I had been inspired by all the new Christmas items already popping up on the shelves- in OCTOBER!!!!  What are they thinking?????  I can remember my mom saying, "they bring Christmas things out earlier every year".  Well now I've turned into my mom and are saying the same thing!  Don't get me wrong - I love Christmas!!!  Not just the day but the lead up, the menu planning, the thinking of gift ideas, the baking, the crafts, all that stuff.  But not in October!!  Come on!!!!  Every season has it's place in time and we all know that Christmas will be here at the end of every year, so why rush it???  Anyway, I guess I'll have to hang my head as I realize that I too have been sucked into the premature thoughts of this upcoming Christmas season.  Enjoy today and ALL it holds for you!!!

Breathing room

Sometimes when I finish a tangle it has a sort of claustrophobic feel to it.  Like there is so much packed into this single sheet of paper that you don't really get a good look at everything.  Since I first started tangling I have the tendency to cram as much as I can get onto the paper I'm working on (don't want to waste paper you know), but I'm finding now (and maybe my eyes are going bad) but sometimes less really is more.  I'm enjoying seeing the paper behind the tangles and it's almost a liberating feeling - like breathing room.  In the US today is the last holiday weekend of the Summer - Labor Day.  I hope whatever you're doing on this last celebrated day of Summer that you're feeling your own breathing room and doing something that makes you smile!

Happy Independence Day!!!

Taking a Stand

When we were kids we always knew where the line between right and wrong was.  We knew how far we could push our parents (which wasn't very far) and we understood there would be consequences if we crossed over the clearly defined (and sometimes unspoken) boundaries.  But the older I've gotten and experienced things with my own kids, the lines seems to have blurred - not only for kids but for the parents who once knew where those lines were.  How did that change?  As I walk through stores I (far too often) see kids yelling (and even hitting) at their parents while they appear to stand there stunned but apparently familiar with this type of behavior.  There is bullying all over the news and stories of even parents being involved.  How can that be????  When I was growing up the parents acted like adults and were the authoritative roll model.  I would NEVER have found my mom arguing (online (which hadn't been invented yet) or in person) with anyone.  She had way to much dignity and knew what was right and what wasn't.  One of the things our country was founded on was freedom of speech, but on this fourth of July holiday, lets try to remember that if we want the quality of life we grew up with, where the lines between right and wrong are clearly defined, then we all need to step up to the plate and do our part - like OUR parents did.  Love your families and enjoy all that this Independence Day stands for!

Where's the vacation?

I must need a vacation really bad!!!  It seems like everywhere I turn I'm seeing vacation themed things.  I see vacation wear when I get dressed (probably because I've worn them on a trip before), I hear airplanes and wish I was on one going to some wonderful place, and now that last couple of drawings I've made make me think of some sort of vacation destination.  I have vacation on the brain!  This one looks like a floating island with a huge palm tree in the middle.  There are obstacles standing in front (like always) hiding all of the exciting things going on there, but you can only imagine (the sound of live calypso music being played, feeling the cool crystal clear turquoise ocean as you relax and play in it, laying under an umbrella listening to the water rush back and forth on the shore, enjoying a fruity drink with, of course, an umbrella in it, and there's so much more).  See I told you I need a vacation!!  Since today is our Memorial Day Holiday, I hope you can not only remember the sacrifice our soldiers (past, present, and future) have and will make for us, but make today a little bit of a vacation in your world - wherever you are!  Be safe and enjoy!!

Long Legs

I was watching television the other night and there was a guy singing - the first thing that came to mind (besides what a great voice he has) was my gosh he's got long legs (I know what you're thinking and that's not the case)!!!  When I drew my string it was a little out of proportion but it was a fun way to start.  I guess when they say to keep your eyes open because you can see patterns everywhere - they aren't kidding!!  Enjoy your Memorial Day Sunday!!

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

Today is Mother's Day and it's a special day we set aside to celebrate our Mothers.  We live in a non traditional world these days and being a mother doesn't just mean you're a woman with children.  Sometimes the mother roll is taken by a father or a neighbor or a relative you're close with.  There are women who don't have children of their own (should husbands count?) but are there for friends, nieces, nephews, and others.  This is really a day that we remember how lucky we are to have those special people in our lives - that care about us, that look out for us, that have our back, and don't ask for anything in return.  The roll of a mother is very important so whether you're a traditional mother or a non-traditional mother, I hope today you know you mean the world to someone special in your life!  Happy Mother's Day my friends!!

It's no Easter Lily

When I first finished this tangle and stepped back to look at it, and it screamed out "COLOR ME"!!!  Even though it's not a specific type of flower (because I'm not THAT creative) I decided to give it an Easter feel since Easter was right around the corner.  Now that I look at it, I don't know that it even resembles Easter (since it doesn't look anything like an Easter Lily) but I like it anyway.  Who said you have to use only Easter Lily's at Easter anyway??  One of my kids brought me flowers for our Easter gathering yesterday and there were roses, carnations, daisy's, some green stemy things (I don't think that's the official name - but it could be) and they were as wonderful as any Easter Lily I've seen.  I love the color and the texture of the different flowers and especially the smell.  Mmmmmmm - how do flowers smell so good????  Anyway, whatever you're doing on this awesome Easter day, I hope you inhale it all and enjoy whatever it is you do.  Please take time out of your festivities to remember why we celebrate Easter!  Lovely day to you all!!!

Happy Valentine's Day EVE!!

When my kids were little, somewhere along the line, we started telling each other "happy birthday eve".  I think it was because they were excited for their birthdays and it was our way of saying its only one more day.  As they got older it flowed into the other holidays, so it's become a regular occurrence around our house to wish each other happiness on the eve of holidays (and yes Valentine's Day is a holiday).  We are enjoying warmer weather and sunshine which as we've learned this winter, doesn't always happen together.  So whatever you do today, I hope you have a fabulous Valentine's Day Eve and remember you are being thought of today in a special way by me!!