Friday, November 23, 2012

Friday-9am

I decided to push myself to do challenges this week.  My plan was to combine the Goulet Ink Drop monthly challenge and the APR challenge (Thanksgiving) by using the five inks for a watercolor type background and then draw maple leaves on top.  (Leaves changing always reminds of the coming holidays.)  I got this far and let it dry overnight.
But Tuesday my hands were still not working right... 
...so I used a couple of rubber stamps instead.  I've been kind of missing my stamps a bit lately, anyways. 
Not the best job, for sure, but I was just delighted to be participating.  :)  I thought of redoing it, but the time is dwindling to work on Christmas card ideas.
****
Suddenly on Wednesday I woke up feeling more human than I have in three weeks!!  Only coughing occasionally and my head feels clearer.  My hands were working better, so I started on the zendala dare
I used sugar cane, aura-leah, and purk from my Tangles Binder. 
Actually tried shading a little on the tear drop shaped (purk) section.  None of these look exactly like the tangles I got online.  I guess I kind think of the various tangles as suggestions and adapt them my own way.  ;) 
Karma got her blue bed back up on the love seat.  She's been one happy camper.  
No howling in the bathtub and beating up the shower curtain as soon as her favorite bed was back in her favorite spot. 
But what's this?  
After all the protestations...she will sleep in the brown bed on the floor after all.  Cats!! 
Early in the week we had fog and frost. 
Looked so delicate in the sunlight as the fog was lifting. 
All week I worked here and there on the Tangles Binder...and finished last night!! 
I love it!  I can flip through...hundreds of tangles at my fingertips!  Now I'll be more likely to experiment with all these...and I can add any new ones I run across, too! 
We had snow here on Thanksgiving. 
Was really coming down for a while there. 
Well, mostly so windy that the sky was a white-gray curtain. 
So, this morning we woke up to White Friday--LOL! 
The wind was coming our way so we got some snow on the porch this time. 
Karma immediately wanted out, of course. 
She ate some snow outside.  When she came in she did her quick turn around to eat her footprints thing she does.  I usually take away the plastic in the winter, but Karma made a big protest over that, too, this year.  (I keep it there for when I leave the porch door open in the summer so that rain doesn't get on the carpet.) 
I think Karma is getting more demanding as she ages (be eight in February).  She's always been a diva, don't get me wrong.  But let's just say that she doesn't seem to like change as much as she used to.  I know how she feels--LOL!
****
Dagan and Leah went to her grandparent's for Thanksgiving.  I told them that I'd rather wait longer and have our Thanksgiving at the new house after they're more settled in so I can see their new home.  
****
For you new followers, the past 13+ years I spend quiet, lovely holidays alone (with Karma now).  Since Dagan met Leah we have our own separate Thanksgiving and Christmas after the fact at some point.  Works perfectly for me--no stress--peaceful--and they get to spend time with the other sides of the families.  I get to see them during the whole year, so I don't mind at all.  In fact, I think I suggested it.  I remember all the years of running here and there.  Karma and I have a wonderful time.  :)
****
Well, speaking of...the Diva is crying to go out and eat snow again.  Hope those of you in the US had a nice Thanksgiving and everybody else just plain had a really good Thursday.  :)  And to those of you who were crazy enough to tackle the crowds for Black Friday--more power to ya and I hope you got the deals you were hoping for.  Me--I'd let my fingers do the shopping--ROFL!  
Stay thankful!!  ;)
****
"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'Thank you', that would suffice."
Meister Eckhart

33 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

karma - a typical fickle cat. :)

LOVE the zendala!!!

Jennibellie said...

Lol love Karma =D *squishy cuddle* I really like the look of the crisp stamped image over the mergey background, gorgeous.
"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'Thank you', that would suffice."
Meister Eckhart - LOVE <3
=)

Anonymous said...

Isn't it wonderful to feel better?!!!

Victoria said...

Hello Friend! wowness..so very beautiful..love the colorful energy and the leaves are so striking..totally stunning..magical too! Love your mandalas always!! powerful! and aw..sweet kitty!
Wishing you a beautiful holiday and Many blessings to you and yours!
HUgs
Victoria

Shelly said...

The zendala is really neat- wish I had that talent!

Karma knows how to get things the way she wants, just like most cats. She cracked me up with eating her footprints- I sometimes wonder what goes on in their minds with all their little quirks!

Janie Junebug said...

Karma provides endless amusement. Such a perfect name. I thought I would die if I had to be alone on Thanksgiving, but I was alone yesterday until Elvis got here about 6 for dinner (he had to work); and I definitely didn't die. I had a very pleasant day. I sat on the glider on my deck and read. I was so grateful I didn't have to cook a big dinner, and I'm definitely not going anyplace this weekend. I love Christmas shopping online. Life is good.

Love,
Janie

Friko said...

I am glad you are so happy with your own company (and Karma’s, of course). Big holidays don’t do a thing for me either, I like to spend them quietly but festively.

It’s good that you are back doing the arty things you like and that you are feeling more yourself again.

Currie Silver said...

golly!!! where DO I start?! happy you are feeling fitter like a fiddle Now. the binder, oh my!!! would LOVE to actually leaf through it. I am trying to DO a little each day, most days, and also have been just colouring, too. it is all great for keeping mellow.
Gracie and I had a quiet Thanksgiving too and today, though dealing with that rascal pain who comes round Now and Then, I'm enJOYing a quiet colourFULL NOT black Friday. the only "black" part I'm enJOYing today is your Zendala AND the type in everyone's comment boxes since I perused Photo Art Friday earlier!!!
good job with your APR, too. I have to confess, I went straight for the Zendala, tangles, and Karma photos. She and Gracie are the same age [Gracie will BE 8 in March] and though I'd never really considered it BEfore, she's got a bit of the Diva in her, too!!
Brrrrrrr... snow. Chilly here, too, only 58 this morning when we were out. [I know, it's relative LOL!!]
xoxo

Beth said...

I am so glad you are feeling better!! Snow is in the forecast for us on Monday night.
Gotta love Karma!! Good or bad. :-)

Deanna said...

The zendala is cool. I'm so glad you are finally feeling better. We have had such beautiful weather lately, but today turned cold. At least no snow, though. I agree with you about not caring when I celebrate the holidays, but when I mentioned that to the kids, they had a fit. They are really big on tradition and seem to not mind running from one place to another. Oh the beauty of youth!

And no way am I crazy enough to go anywhere near a store on Black Friday!

Dana said...

So glad you're feeling better! I love the picture of the frost on the tree. So much poetry there!

Have a wonderful weekend!

betty said...

So happy to hear that you are feeling better and more like yourself Rita!! That is great news indeed! Did look like a lot of snow you got on Thanksgiving! Karma is such a character!! I'm sure she just has you laughing a lot throughout the day!

I think it is neat that you don't feel like you have to have Dagan and Leah be with you on the holidays but you can spend the time together on a different day and enjoy the time. I'm like that with son; I don't want to stress him to think he has to be with us on that particular day; any time together is a good time, holiday or not :)

betty

Far Side of Fifty said...

Happy Thanksgiving when ever you have it! You got your tangle binder finished..I am coveting that book you know!
I am glad you are feeling better!
Karma is a poop..tell her I said so. LOL all cozy in both beds now..what a cat!
Yes it snowed here too and the wind blew terrible...I am just not ready for winter yet..oh well..it gives me something to crank about:)

Jennifer McLean said...

Congratulations on finishing the zentangle binder, such a lot of work. I love your zendala, one of your best. THanks for entering your beautiful leaf painting, and I hope your hands feel better soon!

Anne's tangle blog said...

Your zendala turned out lovely! I'm glad you're feeling better now.

Unknown said...

Your zendala is wonderful, the purk really pops and this is so fun to look at! Love your little Diva--especially her eating her footprints-haha! Jealous of your snow! =0)

DJan said...

I am so glad to hear you are feeling better, finally! It seems like it's been hanging on way too long. And that zendala is really stunning, Rita.

Looking at all that snow on Black Friday is preferable to being out in it looking for bargains! :-)

TammyVitale said...

Rita - come to my house and organize me. That tangles binder is heaven - I'll never get that far in getting organized (although I have to say things are better today than yesterday). So happy to hear that you are feeling better! May you feel awesome and may your hands work as you wish.

Dee said...

Dear Rita, the longer I live, the more I find that Meister Eckhart is right.

I really liked your zendala dare for Thanksgiving. Did you add color to it?

Like you, I enjoy getting together in less hurried ways with fewer people. That's because of my hearing loss and because the visiting seems better to me.

I hope you and Leah and Dagan have a wonderful time together when you do celebrate and that you have the energy to do a lot of oohing and ahhing over the new house. Peace.

Darla said...

Nice leafy autumn page. I always find your mendalas interesting, how great to have a notebook full of patterns. Glad Karma finally got you to figure out where the beds should go, LOL!

Darla

Unknown said...

Cool Zendala, and I am so envious of your great binder of patters!!!!

AliceKay said...

Your zendala looks pretty cool. Parts of it look three dimentional to me.

Karma lives a charmed life. Thanks for sharing her with your readers. :)

We've had some very cold mornings here lately...lots of frost everywhere and some pretty cool looking skies. We had snow showers on and off all day today, but nothing stayed on the ground. (the wind is still ripping out there)

I hope you, Dagan, and Leah enjoyed your Thanksgiving in their new home. Can't wait to see pics of the house. :)

Hope the rest of your weekend is a good one.

Queenie Jeannie said...

So happy to hear you being YOU again!!! Love the background and the doodle art! I wish I could do that too!!! I love your leaves stamps. VERY pretty and very realistic looking!

Karma - she's her own special 'person' isn't she???

This post just made me super happy! HUGS!!!!! I got some great sleep too, and feeling more me as well!

Anonymous said...

Your art is amazing. Love the art you show in the first two shots - fabulous colours!

And snow - how lucky for you!

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful inkblot and stamp work ~ very creative and colorful ~ Your mandala is coming along nicely and Karma is a dear as always ~ lots of hugs to you both ~ Carol (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Your APR piece is really lovely--it reminds me of Fall and Thanksgiving for sure!

I was really impressed with your mandalas and really, really impressed with the notebook of patterns you made yourself!

laurak/ForestWalkArt :) said...

as usual...i'm so late getting over here!!
i think it's kind of nice to have your own Thanksgiving...AFTERwards...i've done it like that before too when my sons couldn't make it! we had a nice quiet one!

i'm glad to hear you woke up feeling better...and i LOVE that new zendala!! wow!! you are so talewnted...so imaginative!! i just love to see what you do with the basic design each time!! amazing!!
and i like the way your leaf stamps look on the washed background. NICE!

karma...what more can i say?!! she's a kitty cat!! they are who they are!! =) and as we all get older...some of us may lose patience with some things...and not want to put up with 'change' so much!
give that furball a scratch or belly rub from me!

take care rita!!

Tracey FK said...

how funny that karma eats the snow... Mushu gets a brain freeze from the ice cubes we put out for him in the summer... that snow was really coming down wasn't it... and that tangle book is stunning... so much work but boy does it look like it was worth it...xx

Anonymous said...

your art is so lovely!
Karma is a beauty...we are getting our first snow Tuesday and this will be out puppies first time...the boys in my house can't wait.
have a great week.

Francene Stanley said...

Love your drawing attmepts. Isn't it wonderful to have something to occupy each day--your cat and your creativity?

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

Your mandalas continue to amaze me. The vision you have for embellishing them and the level of detail involved is mind-boggling. I wish I had a fragment of your artistic talent. :)

Unknown said...

Oh love the leaves and Tangles. You've got snow!! Oh not here yet please, wait till the new year.
Rita, I have now added the finished card to "Ooh, Messy" post...!

Felicia said...

Ok that is my favorite tangle you have done yet! Fabulous!!! To funny about Karma and the snow. Bennie decided he liked snow to.. but only INSIDE hahahaha

*hugs* =0)