Playing Catch Up

Wow! I truly do not know what happened to the past two weeks. It is almost as if they didn't happen. I have missed both of the last two challenges from Laura, I haven't posted, in fact I haven't done any of the things I had planned. Oh Well, tomorrow is a new week and my todo list starts again. I am working in the studio a bit and making a sterling bangle bracelet with a gorgeous copper rose ( that my very creative husband sculpted) and some very pretty cobalt blue chalcedony earrings. I promise to post pictures as soon as they are complete.
Samantha G sent me a special request for a post about my seed starting method. Samantha, I hope I am not too late, I will write that post for you ASAP.
In the meantime, I will continue to Zentangle/doodle and get back to the challenges and regular postings.
Hello and thank you to all of my followers.

Thought for the week.....
Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, 
 for they shall never cease to be amused.


I hope you all have a wonderful Week.

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.