Illustration Friday: Surrender

Need I say more?

S2S #4: The Squatter

Debi posted the character sketch for this guy. He was a challenge! Not really the position, but the fact that she specifically stated the place that she saw him. Since Chipotle is a chain, I had to find a "Chipotle Chair". I used some creative liberties in this one. I'm not extremely pleased with him. I have had issues with each sketch so far, so why should this one be any different?

I think that it's because I have to come up with these from reading and my imagination. I never have been great at sketching unless I can see the subject right in front of me, life or photograph. I can't really do that on these. All the more reason to keep practicing and making progress.

The Squatter

Mandala "ish doodle"

Since Phine from Zendoodle-Wedge commented that my last Zentangle challenge was a mandala. It reminded me of the only other mandalaish doodle that I have done. I shared this with my facebook friends the day I made it. Unfortunately I was letting dust pile up over here at the Sketch-n-blog at the time. So, I tought I would take this chance to share it with you.

More doodles from days-gone-by to come ;)

Zentangle: Ixorus Challenge

This week's challenge was to use the tangle entitled "Ixorus" somewhere in our Zentangle. On Sunday I created a few tangles for my Bible Study Journal cover that where mainly different Christian Icons. With those still fresh on my mind, I had to incorporate the crown of thorns.

I like the way it turned out. My outer strokes are a bit different than the original pattern. I didn't realize this until after completing. Mainly because I do these without looking directly at the tangles. I commit the inspiration and process to memory, then do what comes naturally to me from there on.

Join the fun....

Illustration Friday: Dusty

I had to look to see when I last submitted an Illustration Friday entry. It was three and a half years ago! I hope to start contributing more frequently this year. Heck, this one is definitely progress over the last 3 years...a big whopping ZERO submissions.

So here it is, my interpretation of "Dusty":

I was never fond of all the chalk dust when I was in school. Oh the horror if it was my day to erase the board!

My Name...All Zentangled Up

I just posted my Zentangles a couple of hours ago, and I got some great comments from CZT's (Certified Zentangle Trainer) already. I just love getting comments. One, it makes me feel special, of course. Also it gives me a chance (and valid reason) to visit others' blog.

I'll get to the point...I checked out Sue Clark's Tangle Ink Art and found another challenge. Did I mention that I love challenges? Anyway, this challenge was one she did of Linda Farmer of tanglepatterns.com. This challenge was to "Zentangle Your Name" 

You see, the actual Zentangle kit and process has patterns with names. Let me say, this is the first time I have used an "official" Zentangle pattern, or at least knowingly. Honestly, the process of using a specific pattern that was developed by someone else, and named, is a little bit hard for me to get used to. It feels like I'm cheating, or on some level copyright infringement. 

I really wonder where the line is between copying these patterns and copyright issues. A lot of the "official" patterns are patterns and variation of patterns found for centuries of art, textiles and in nature. 

On a certain level, it feels rather uncomfortable to "copy" a pattern that someone else has done, to the "t" anyway. I'm not saying it is wrong, especially in the sense that this is a personal thing, not really professional. The question becomes valid if someone was to use these patterns in a professional piece of work. Even if the pattern could be proved to be found in nature, could the artist get sued for using a theme that was constructed by someone else? I know, Tisk Tisk...Way to get stressed over something that may be nothing.

I may look at the official designs for inspiration from time to time, but in the future I think I will just "wing-it". Unless, of course, there is another challenge like this...I like challenges, what?!? It's just that I feel process is more enjoyable, creative, and relaxing when I'm not trying to "copy" a design pattern. I also feels that it shows in the final product...even though this is about the process not the product. But hey, I want to show you something pretty. Is there anything wrong with that? (Don't answer that, rhetorical question ;)

Now that I am done thinking out-loud, here is my name in Zentangle form. 

Zentangle: Challenges 1-4

Since I only learned about this challenge on the 5th week, I completed the first four challenges before moving on to the 5th. For the first time I feel like I'm on the ground floor and looking forward (instead of looking back and having zillions of previous challenges to do).

Here are the first four Zentangle Challenges at I am the Diva CZT

Simple

Two Pencil String

Eyes Wide Shut

Starry Eyed Surprise

Join the fun, why don't ya....

Zentangle: Orbs Challenge

Recently my talented friend Lori Greenberg  introduced the concept of Zentangles on Facebook. They are very similar to the type of doodling that I have done for years. I jumped in head first.

Miss Lori then introduced me to the weekly Zentangle challenges by "I am the Diva CZT" That was just yesterday, and I have caught up will all five challenges posted thus far.

Without further adieu, here is my Orbs Zentangle... 

Pay it Forward: Handmade 2011 Facebook Status

Did you or any of your friends post a Facebook status at the beginning of the year stating:

Pay It Forward 2011. I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who comment here. They in turn, must repost this on their status and send to their first 5 “commenters”. The rules are simple: it must be handmade by you and it must be sent to your 5 friends in 2011

Well, I did. Sounds like fun, right? I decided to make it just a bit more fun. So here is what I did.

Step 1: Message the 5 recipients with these questions:

Favorite color
Favorite animal
Favorite flower

Shoe Size
hat size
ring size

Living room colors
Bathroom Colors
Bedroom Colors

Not that everything I am making will need all this info...but I needed some of it, and some was to throw them off course :)

Step 2:  Pick your poison..

I posted the image below on Facebook, tagging the recipients. With these instructions:

Here is the deal...My Handmade recipients get to pick from discarded items that I will then turn into handmade gifts. (You know the 5 that commented on the status about a week ago)

*For those that can't see image:
A: Beer bottle cap
B: Cap'n crunch box (small)
C: Natural Light bottle box (empty)
D: Discarded T-shirts
E: A tin can

*Rule: Choice goes in order of the original comments.

Now we wait for the responses, so that I can start to work on them :)

Bonus: I will send a completed item to 1 random person that comments on this post between now and 11:59pm (CST) January 22, 2011. So get to commenting and sharing :)

Oh, and I need a way to contact you...so link to your e-mail or website that has contact option would be great. Oops, one more thing...offer available to US only.

Series Saturday: 1/15

I actually snuck in a bit quality time with Lishy today. My dad came to pick up the youngest two kids, and my oldest went to spend the night with a friend. I decided this would be a great time to break in my little list book.

This week's topic is: Book series that I have read. In keeping with the 7 in 11 theme (read lishy linky above if this confuses you ;) I realized that I have read exactly 7 book series. If that sounds pathetic to you, check out how many books are in R.A. Salvatore's Forgotten Realms books...yeah, I've read all but the last trilogy.


So here is my page:

I kinda got a little sloppy, lazy, and ran out of room...but hey, this is just for fun, right?  

Here's a question for you...What series do you suggest I read next? 

 

Resolution Problem Resolved

Instead of making resolutions this year, I decided I would make a one word theme of "Progress". This led to the Mantra of: Do this More; Do that Less; Don't Do that; Do this Better: More or Less Do Better!

 

Of course we all know that you can't have progress without a little planning. Or at-least a way to jot down challenges and celebrations. This is where my Progress book comes in. This is the place that I plan on writing down goals, ideas, and of course celebrations.

Meet Lishy

On a side note, the 7-N-11 goes along with the Fly Lady's mantra this year of 7 in 11...Doing things in 7's in 2011. Originally I created this book as a "list book". In keeping with the 7 in 11 idea I came up with a topic for each of the 7 days:

Sunday- Soul Searchin' Sunday

   This day I give to The Lord...Prayers, Blessings, and Opportunities

Monday: Menu Monday 

    Planning the menu for the following week.

Tuesday: To-Do Tuesday

    Big to-do life lists, kinda like bucket lists...if that makes sense?

Wednesday- Work Wednesday

    The Short and Long term business plans

Thursday- Thumpin' Thursdays

    The things that I want to do, and need to do. Like the big home projects.

Friday- Finance Fridays

    Ugg....budget, and goals listing

Saturday- Series Saturday

   All things that come in a series: movies; books; art and crafts (both by others and that I want to do)

I still plan on having my lists in this, but I'm not going to pigeon hole the little guy into that specific of a use. If I did that, I'd have to have 10 to 12 of these little things for different uses with me all the time. Progress should be simple, not more complicated.

So this little guy will be my planner/list keeper/idea jotter/etc.  How is that for general?

Inspiration credits for the ideas in this post:

• One word theme: Mari Smith's article "My One-Word Theme For 2011: Commitment"
• 7 in 2011: Marla Cilley aka Flylady Motto: "Let's Go for Seven in 2011"
•  List Book:  Aimee @ Artsyville: "List it Tuesday Series"

Blog Mash-up

I'm racking my brain trying to decide if I want to keep my personal blog and this blog separate or combined  them. Sometimes I post things on that blog that I just want to share here, and vice-versa. I do; however post things that feel a bit too personal for a full public notice. The other blog is mainly just viewed by my facebook friends. For today, while I am still indecisive, I will just post a re-post here... so here goes:

Believe You, Me

11 01 2011 In the last couple of days there has been a theme popping up everywhere I look. In books I read, and in status messages from friends. The gist of it is to “Believe in yourself”. The first encounter was a line in the book that I am reading for this month’s book club, “The Opposite of Fate” by Amy Tan, the line goes:


 “And now you see, it’s your belief in yourself that enables you to do what you wish.”

Upon reading that line I immediately had to share it with my husband.

Evidently, though it was  poignant enough, that didn’t get the point across. The very next day (yesterday morning) I was reading “Getting Things Done” by David Allen and came across another little nugget. This version was:

“Outcome thinking is one of the most effective means available for making wishes come true.”

Okay, so it’s not exactly the same point. While one is about perception, the other is more-or-less preparation. Then again, you need both to succeed in any endeavor, right? It does; however, have the “wish” theme going on. I prefer to use the term goal or dream. I don’t know, there is such a stigma on “wish”. Maybe I will delve deeper in that topic later.

This makes me think of a quote I grew up hearing, “pray as if you never planned, and plan as if you never prayed”. Hmm, isn’t that belief (perception) and outcome thinking (planning, or preparation)?
This brings me to the final of the three. Again, that is three in a 24 hour period. The face-book status was a “Status shuffle” from an old friend (not old in the sense of age, of course!):

“Only when you take the time to believe in yourself will others take the time to believe in you”.

There you go, point hit on the head. Typical Laura modus operandi…when you don’t believe in yourself, get conformation of value from someone else. Or as dear husband calls it “fishing for compliments”. It looks like this little lady needs to work on believing in herself a bit more…but common, is that really breaking news. I mean, really!?!