Other Art That I Do

I have always done crafts but the first thing that I have done which started me on the road to "fine art" is a metal art. I do not make the metal pieces myself, I buy them out of New Mexico. But they only metal pieces when I get them. It is up to me to make them into something more beautiful. I have even put some of my Zentangle work into them. I decided to take a few pictures of some of them this morning and share them with you.

Lady with Fan

Little Girl Blue

Zentangle in the Third Eye

Zentangle in Copper Wings

I had to get gas today and WOW, what a surprise! It was down to $4.03 per gallon and with my discount this was what I paid per gallon. Great Day, Right???

Hope your day is full of pleasant surprises.

Huggs,

Janie

Trying New Things

There are many times in our lives  when we need to try new things. Sometimes it is a new haircut or a new way of doing something. Well, I decided to try working on black paper with white ink. Not as easy as it sounds. There must be 1,000 white pens out there but do you think I could find them? No!! I did find one pen that is the best but still doesn't give me a continuous flow of white ink very well. Grrrrrr!!!!!!


Here are the black Zentangles that I did...I would appreciate your sincere critic.

Here is another Zentangle with some gold in it. 

I hope you have a great day!


Huggs,
Janie

The Unexpected Embrace

Today I had to go to a local craft store looking for a good white pen to do some Zentangles on black paper. When I got in line at the check out counter, a young mother and two little girls...about 2 years old and younger, were in front of me. The mother took the little girls out of the cart and put them down on the floor while she paid the cashier. As I stood there in line, waiting, the oldest of the two little girls said "hi" to me. I smiled at her and said "hi" back to her. Then the most unexpected thing happened!! She toddled over to me and put her arms around my leg and hugged me!! WOW! Talk about a wonderful gift!! 




I need a lot of hugs these days and this was so special and surprising. Then she looked up at me and did it again. I put my hand on her head and tousled her thin, toddler hair. Then she said "bye bye" and her mother took her and her little sister out of the store. I wanted to cry....from happiness....that this little girl hugged me, not once but twice. It might not have meant anything but to me it was the world!


Hug someone today.....
Huggs,
Janie

Busy, busy, and busiest

It seems like the last few couple of weeks I have been busier. I am definitely feeling better. That is the biggest plus in my life. I feel more complete, somehow. Had a nice long talk with a dear, dear friend yesterday and she is one of those few people who come into our lives (I am lucky to have more than one of them) that we connect with on a deeper level, almost a spiritual level. It was rejuvenating, and so wonderfully relaxing. It was as if time stood still for the two hours she was here. It is very quiet where I live and the only sounds were our voices, soft feminine voices sharing experiences and a cup of tea. Ahhhhhhh. I will treasure this for always as these times come few and far between and she will be leaving Alaska in a couple of days and I don't know when I will see her again but I hope she knows that my love and affection go with her wherever she goes. 

I wanted to blog today but have no photos to share. I wanted to say that I am so thankful to be alive today and to be feeling like a person without a disability...although it's nagging me a bit today. I am thankful for the beauty all around me, the beautiful green trees and flowers here and there, both wild and domestic. I am thankful for being loved and for having others to love. I am thankful for my ability to create and the opportunity to do so. 

Live sometimes passes us by before we really look around us....I feel like that sometimes, like I haven't given it my full attention. I certainly am now and I'm glad it's not too late. I once learned that if you don't make plans, both short term and long term that life will just happen to you. I think I have figured out that I don't want life to just "happen" to me anymore. I want to make plans and achieve them. I want ME to happen to life. I don't know if that makes any sense...but I guess what I'm feeling is that I just need to live life more fully, live it better, and make each moment count. I finally figured out that the moments in life don't just belong to others, they belong to me too. I am responsible for allowing myself to be happy...and to make myself happy, not depend on others for that. 

Well, enough philosophising for one day! If you tangle, keep tangling, if you don't, well....you should start! It's very relaxing and Zen-like. LOL But whatever you do today, you should do it because in the end it will bring you happiness. 

Huggs,

Janie

Busy

I have  been rather busy the last few days....sorting through a "mountain" of craft supplies in our garage....(I showed pictures in previous blogs)....and the good news is...I FINISHED GOING THROUGH EVERYTHING TODAY!!!  This is a HUGE accomplishment for me!! Now I need to get things packaged, wrapped, priced, advertised, and set up for my garage sale. I haven't picked a date yet and still need to contact a friend to see if she would be interested in helping me, and earning a few dollars. Getting things ready will not be the hard part because I have psychologically parted with everything I have decided to sell. It is a totally wonderful, magical feeling!

A dear friend came back to town for a visit this week, and I adore her. She has great spirit, a wonderful sense of self that she shares with some folks (I like to think I'm among them), and is a sister in spirit to me. Thank you, Calle!

Last  weekend I had some of those "ah-ha" moments and they were really big deals to me. Today was another one of them, but today's was more in the physical sense, rather than the emotional/psychological sense. Today I swept three rooms, dusted two rooms, swept furniture, and moped the kitchen floor. Now to most of you that may not sound like a big deal, but if you have ever experienced severe chronic pain, than you will understand when I tell you that I am in very little pain, and it's more like an ache from hard work well done. Better living through a pain patch I have been blessed to have through one of my Drs. I never believed that I would find something to help the chronic pain I have felt for the past going on 4 years that gnawed at me night and day and never, ever went away! Wow!! This is so awesome!! 

I have been working on card sets for the bazaars which are coming up next November/December and will continue to do that on my European trip with my two daughters. I have a few other projects for the bazaars that I need to get started on too and feel like I have turned an emotional and physical corner that will allow me to accomplish all the things that I want to in the next few months. 

My husband brought me yellow roses last week and they are just beautiful, but the thought that He had in getting them for me makes me much happier than the actual roses. Thank You, my Love.

So, while much has been going on here in my little life, really the only photos I have to share with you today are these. I hope you enjoy them. 

Toy truck on antique (?) table at Chena's Restaurant where Anna, my husband's daughter took us for dinner on Father's Day. It was a wonderful evening! 

My husband, Alan, and his beautiful daughter, Anna. Photo taken at Chena's on Fathers Day 2011.

Have a wonderful day tomorrow and remember to live each moment as if there is no tomorrow. I think if we all did that that the world would be a much happier place, don't you? 

Huggs,

Janie

HAPPIEST MOMENT TODAY:

Have a wonderful talk with my daughter, Lisabeth, today about her grad school project. It made me feel good, like I was helping her in some small way to accomplish something that she felt a little "stuck" on deciding. Thank you, Betts!!!

ZENTANGLE OF THE DAY:

Just a sample of a letter on one of the new cards....simple but I hope you like it. 

 Brought to you by the letter D. LOL

A Zentangle Week!

For those of you on Facebook, you have probably already seen the post from me that my son, Aaron in Seattle made of me doing a big 16" x 20" Zentangle while I was down there visiting in February. I am going to post it here so any of my other readers can see it. I love how he puts music to video that he does. It might behoove you to go to his web site to see some of his other work and if you are in the Seattle area he would the THE guy to call for any video work you might need...and still photography as well. He is VERY good at what he does and I would recommend him even if I wasn't his mom. LOL

https://www.facebook.com/janie1313

So the video is very exciting to me and a wonderful gift from Aaron and I shall always be grateful to him for all the time it took to put this together. 

I am still recovering from the dreaded pneumonia but on the tail end of it, thankfully. The cough will linger, as it always does but all in all I am beginning to feel human. Yesterday I finally got to the hair dresser and got whole new look....short hair, highlights in the front and a wonderful new red/purple color. It is just fun and very cool. Today it is really warm outside here in Alaska and bright sunshine. I feel like I could do anything when I'm sitting here in my recliner writing my blog or checking my email, but the reality is that when I get up my body won't agree with my mind so I have to choose. Today will be another laundry day and more card making. Tomorrow I'll start getting serious about stuff for the Bazaar in November....it will be coming soon and since I'll be gone much of August and the first of September on my trip to  Europe with my daughters. It just dawned on me that I should plan something really great with my son too......hummmmmmmm....

Here are a few more views of some speciality cards that I worked on this week. Hope you enjoy them.

Blue pen and ink on blue card. Some highlighting with colored pencil.

Brown pen and ink on blue card.

Purple pen and ink on blue card, with some purple colored pencil highlights.

Pink pen and ink and red pen and ink on blue card.

BEST MOMENT OF TODAY:

Not waking up with the chronic pain I have had for 4 years. 

ZENTANGLE OF THE DAY:

See my cards for today's Zentangle.

I hope that you are aware each and every minute of the "art" that is all around us. It will fill your life with color, design, and joy.  By the way, what you think of this line of cards? Any ideas on what I could price a single card and envelope for?

Huggs to all,

Janie

Creative Week

It has been one rough week for me. Having strep throat and pneumonia together, at the same time, in the same body, is definitely no fun!!!! I have tried to fill my time other than just laying/sitting around. When you are that sick you don't feel like doing anything and I have had a bit of a problem talking. That's interesting all by itself. 

So I have been making greeting cards downstairs in the third bedroom where we have a futon. I have a sheet and quilt on the futon bed and all my supplies spread out around me on both sides of me.

I usually sell cards at Bazaars so this is a good start. This year I have decided to do the following cards, in sets of 8. I need to get more cards and boxes and figure out the pricing. I would love to have your feed back on these.

No. 1: Special Occasion sets - on cream color cards either with a scalloped edge or regular card:

           3 Christmas Cards, 3 Birthday Cards, 2 Valentine's Day Cards in each set.

No. 2: Cream color and some sets on white color cards of Monogram sets of 8 such as 8 A's, 8 B's...you get the idea. So each of the 8 A's with be in different colors: red, aqua, purple, red, pink, orange, green yellow, and blue. 

No. 3: Cream cards with gold edging (very sharp looking) Hallmark cards. These cards are going to be sets of 8 just as No. 2 above, but the letters are all done in a dark brown and are strictly Zentangle. I only bought one set and now I need to get more of them as well, and boxes to show/sell them in with the clear top. 

No. 4: I have some card sets in blue with scalloped edges, as well as a green color. I want to get other colors and just have one or two sets of 6 or 10...haven't decided yet. These will be all different patterns.

Having this time to actually sit down and think, I have been able to define what I want to do for the Bazaars this year. I'm going to try to do three of them. They are usually pretty good income. So my list this year looks like this (but can change, of course):

• Card sets
• Small (4"x5") -about that size - Zentangle tabletop pictures
• Jean purses made from recycled jeans
• Soft snowmen, Christmas stocking wall hangings (small), antique Christmas Angels

If I sell these out then I will have my metal pieces (Nichos) that didn't sell well last year to fill in and a few other Christmas tree ornaments from last year. I found some really darling round Santa buttons in three sizes while getting my buttons ready to see at my garage sale and decided to use the buttons on the soft snowmen, the stocking wall hangings, and as ornaments for a tree.

I paint these, put a picture inside and add embellishments.

OK, I have rambled enough today and I'm sure you all have better things to do. So have an awesome day!!

BEST MOMENT OF THE DAY:

Waking up and feeling like the antibiotics are finally starting to take effect!! Yeah!! (And sleeping well last night)

ZENTANGLE OF THE DAY:

Since I've  filled the whole blog up with Zentangle things I will leave you with this "wild card" that I have decided not to use in any of my card sets.

Huggs,

Janie

Different Things On My Mind

It is different for me to just sit around and not feel or be able to to do a darn thing...to be this sick. But it does give your mind time to ponder life, and all the things in life that we do, think, want, don't need, and friends and relationships.

First, I must thank my Love and Lori for both insisting that I go to First Care when I did. I still am not feeling much better but by tomorrow I should be feeling some sort of "turn around" and then it will be slow but sure from there. Thank Goodness for Antibiotics!!!!! And over-the-counter drugs like cough syrup, throat lozenges, Extra Strength Excedrin, and the hand cleaner that has become so popular.

If it weren't for my art I would have been going insane. I have started a card project for the bazaars in November. I cut out patterns for a sarong (2 actually) for my trip in August, and a couple other patterns for jean purses and soft angel dolls for the Bazaars as well.

Keeping me from insanity.

Cute!!??

All those old jeans are coming into their day in the sun!! Black Jean Purse.

A Christmas Angel...Always wanted to make one and this year I will!!!!

I realized that my "Bazaar work time" is going to be cut shorter by my trip to Europe with my girls and I need to get busy. Also, I have a First Friday showing at Chartreuse for November, and maybe June at the Annex, and the Artisan's Courtyard in August. So I am busy, busy, busy doing art, which is something I have always wanted.  ~And Now It is Here!!~

I want to share a couple of quotes with you today that hold some meaning for me:

"NOTHING PASSES. 

EVERYTHING STAYS WITH YOU. 

EVERYTHING MAKES A MARK"

and

"HAPPINESS IS THE BY-PRODUCT 

OF AN EFFORT TO MAKE SOMEONE ELSE HAPPY"

I believe these two with all my heart. Do you have a special quote or quotes that have meaning to you? I would love to see them. Maybe one blog will be devoted to all the responses I receive.

THE QUESTION!!!!

Yesterday I said that I would blog about a question. I SERIOUSLY want each of you to send me an answer. I will answer  the question first to get you all started thinking

QUESTION:  What is Important About Your Life RIGHT NOW in 10 Words or Less?

My Answer (after much thought)....remembering the "Right Now" part...

ANSWER:  That I am alive to work on my "issues" and to feel love.

ZENTANGLE FOR TODAY:

I hope that I don't overwhelm you with all the tangles that I post. I love sharing them and have heard from so many telling me that they have purchased pens and paper and are tangling too!! I am so glad that I have added something positive to someone else's life. Thank you so much!! So, my tangles for today are already posted above except for this one. I don't know if I like it or not. I plan on shading it with colored pencils so maybe I'll like it more. We'll See......

It's purple ink on white paper...I think I need a class on using my camera!!!!

Anyway, I hope that today a wonderful day for you, no matter where you are.

Huggs,

Janie

Zentangles and more Zentangles

I haven't been writing because I felt like I was coming down with something. Sure enough! Yesterday I was diagnosed as having these great summer additions that were NOT on my list of things to do: pneumonia and strep throat. This, dear friends, is just plain unadulterated CRAP!!!!!

However, one of the good things is that I have an excuse to just sit on the couch or bed, all propped up so nice with pillows, drinking homemade milkshakes and doing .... what else .....ZENTANGLES!!

I finished the commission and have received permission to share it with you. It is 20" wide by 16" high, in a dark brown frame. These aren't the best photos but it gives you an idea.

This is a little closer so you can see more detail.

I also did a Zentangle for a new business card I am putting together just for my fine art shows. It will probably be a white card with this image or part of this image on it. I just love blue Zentangles!!

I have really fallen in love with blue pen/ink...This has a light blue and a dark blue.

I also have found a site that had free ideas and templates for initials, etc. So I started doing a set of cards yesterday but would love to have your feedback. Please be truthful....if you don't like them, I need to know that, OK??

Black letter with two different red/pinks to highlight.

Black letter with two different purples to highlight.

Pretty rough looking to me. Just black ink. I was trying to copy something and I think I just need to do it on my own by freehand. Whatch ya think?

 

It is sunny, over 20 hours of daylight, and quite warm and I have two fans running to keep the temperature in the house about 70. Outside everything is green, green, green!! I love Alaska in the summer time!!!

OK, guess this will do it today. I'll have a question for you tomorrow that I really hope you will answer. It should be a lot of fun!!!!!

Huggs to all. If you are sick, get well. If you aren't sick, STAY well!! LOL

Janie

PS my own computer is in the shop for another week so I'm using my Love's. It won't allow me to preview my blog so please forgive anything and everything!!!

Goobers

Goobers:

1. the peanut.

Also called goober pea

2. a facial pimple. (See also goob.) :  How does anybody get rid of goobers?

3.  a tumor. (Jocular medical slang. Possibly because it grows beneath the surface like the goober—the peanut. See also boogie.) :  The patient with the abdominal guber is going into surgery now.

4. that stuff left on the window from the dog's nose rubbing on it. 

So, my Love and I have discussed from time to time the "goobers" on the large picture window directly above the couch. It might be because the couch is Gracie's (aka "the Princess") lounge, napping place, bed, and look out over the yard, otherwise known as her kingdom. 

The cloudy looking things are actually Gracie's goobers.

More Goobers for your enjoyment! euuuuuuuuu!!!!!!

The word "goober" fascinated me and I decided to look it up in the dictionary. They do not list #4 above but I think that they should. Don't you?

BEST MOMENT OF THE DAY:

A dear friend comes over on Friday afternoons to help me clean. Today, being Friday, was a great day. The kitchen looks beautiful!!

Kirsten brought me these lovely pansies the first day she came to help me clean. They are so pretty!!

ZENTANGLE OF THE DAY:

I finished my commission....but am a bit reluctant to show it to you because I haven't shown it to the people who commissioned it yet! Believe it or not I'm scared to death. I have done some other things and thought I would share with you what I did last night. I actually did it just to relax.

This will be a new cell phone skin.

I hope that you have an absolutely lovely day!

Janie