It's Time to start the SEEDS!

Have you thought about how quickly this year is already moving? I know most of the country is blanketed in snow and there seems to be more coming, but here in the fanatical gardeners world, it is time to start the seeds. Even if you have to start them indoors.
Most seeds that you start indoors need to be sown 8-10 weeks before the last frost date for your area. In my little world that was 2 weeks ago, but there is a reason I am behind.  Anyway it is now time to gather your seeds and containers and plant markers and start sowing!
Here are some great ideas I have found for starting them.
Mr.Brownthumb shows you how to make "ghetto greenhouses" with 2 litre bottles ( I have a seemingly endless supply of those) and there is also a great article on Robs page for seed starting.
My favorite method is to start them in a baggie with soil. It works the best for me and takes up a lot less space than the other methods I have found.This week, I am starting Madasgcar Jasmine, fortnight lily, passion flowers and lots of others. My kitchen will be filled with little cat food cups that I soak my seeds in and baggies everywhere! I can hardly wait. But then I am always happier when I am playing in the dirt!  Here are a preview of some things I have planned. Hope you are planning your spring garden too.
Coneflowers Echinacea

Fortnight lily ( dietes iridioides) 

Madagascar Jasmine ( Stephanoitis Floribunda)

Passionflower ( passiflora incarnata)

And Rudbeckia! I just love flowers.

Hearts for Artoo

Laura's son Artoo has been very sick, so this week's  zentangle challenge was to combine 2 of the challenges we have already done in to hearts for her little one. These hearts are filled with love and prayers for little Artoo's healing and peace and rest for the family as well.

I always post more than 1, but these hearts are dedicated to Artoo and my newest little great nephew Christian, just 1 month old and recently hospitalized for an infection.  The prayer of my heart is that both these little boys will heal quickly and grow strong and healthy real soon.

I just love a good challenge!

I just love challenges. I for some unknown reason like to test myself just to see if i can do something. You know, Sudoku  puzzles, crosswords, word tangles, "can you see this" images, anything that makes my little brain stretch a little. Lately I even seem to enjoy those silly little quizzes that psychologists use to determine your personality and etc...... Is anyone else like that, or am I just weird?

Anyway, I have been doing Laura's challenge each week and today as I was uploading some zentangles to my flikr photostream I found another challenge I have yet to check out.
This week's challenge at I am the diva CZT was breathe, relax and smile. Not easy to do while trying to doodle. True to form though I could not stop with 1 doodle. So here are the best 2 from this week.

Now I am off to check out the new challenge at Life imitates doodles  If you haven't checked into zentangling, you're missing out.

Tuesday's Tangle

This week's challenge from Laura was a new tangle pattern called ixorus. I had such fun drawing it, I couldn't stop. I ended up making about 6 tiles and then forcing my family to choose the best of the bunch. Zentangling has become my newest obsession. I don't get tired of doing it and every little tile is so different. These are  their choices for my best tiles.

My favorite artist and I have decided to do a collaboration. She will do the painting and I will add doodles. I can't wait to get started. I have been her biggest fan for many years so the chance to work with her on a project is so cool. I get so excited when I think about it, I am doing the happy dance! When we get it done, I will be sure to post it. Till then have a great time tangling.

Wednesday's Word

Tuesday's Tangle

Last week I began following Laura's zentangle challenges. I just love drawing these little pieces. They start with no design in mind and each little line just adds into your pattern. I guess I love the spontaneity of drawing something and not knowing what it is going to be.
I read a blog last week that talked about silencing the inner critic. It was a wonderful post and it made me really think about my drawings and when will I be satisfied with them. I wish I could find the post again so that I could link to it for you.
There are so many people doing such gorgeous zendoodles and zentangles that I could spend hours looking at them all. Each one is so different. My biggest problem is I can't stop drawing them. I have become addicted. ( ok, there are worse things I could do. Right?)
This week's challenge was orbs. I had a lot of fun drawing the orbs and no fun at all trying to decide which to post.
Here are  my entries for the Weekly challenge # 5. Orbs

If you haven't tried zentangling yet, Check out this website. I think you will love it.

Been doodling when I should be working!

I can't stand the cold weather and this past week's cold storm and actual snow at the beach has made me lazier than ever. I don't want to work, or cook or do anything I normally do, but boredom and I are not a good combination.
I have recently found zentangling and zendoodling and have become crazy about it. I never thought I could draw anything, but these little pieces don't have to look realistic and you just incorporate any "mistake" you make into the design, so it is right up my alley.


Laura, over at "I am the Diva" posted a weekly challenge, so last night even though I was a couple of days late, I got my pens and paper ready and attempted the challenge. I haven't ever responded to a doodle challenge, so you can't, laugh. PROMISE ? Ok, here they are, I made 2.....

If you haven't tried zentangline check this site out. you will love it. This is also a great place to find patterns.

Enjoy, Hope you don't get hooked on doodling like I did.