Power Dropped Tangling Continues

An unexpected power outage fried my cable modem and cable box so I'm just now getting around to posting these.  Apparently, posting from my Samsung Tablet is going to require an expenditure of brain power. You'd think mobile blogging would be easier. Above is "Bonsai" because I felt like it. I'm procrastinating on starting my study of the runes. I think I want to make them smaller. This is a bit large and I tend to stick with the same tangle to use up space.

This combines several recent Diva Challenges. I'm not quite brave enough to post my link on her site. She has some very accomplished tanglers and I'm a rank novice.  This combines the newest official tangle Rixty and  the challenge to use my initials as a string. I'm afraid I wasn't very creative that night. I also wanted to try the colors on the tan colored cardstock. I'm not sure how the cardstock would stand up to wet blending so I did the best I could with the stump.  I really can't see very well on this colored paper. But, I love the effect.

More tangling on watercolor. Just for fun - I attempted another Diva Challenge to use Quandary. I'm not sure it turned out quite as I thought it would but a few circles transformed it into flowers. There are no mistakes in Zentangle.

Fun on pale yellow cardstock with blue Micron ink and a bit o soft gray shading. this is a Zendala but I'm still having trouble planning them out.

BE as a greeting card.  I think I like the first one better and this one was challenging. Maybe I was just tired. It was fun and I see some elements I'm going to carry forth. Whimsy is such a release for me. 

Next I need to start focusing on the rune project so I can start packing up my fancy supplies for the big move. We had our home inspected by the buyers on Friday..... This could be it (with guarded enthusiasm as not to jinx it).  I should also think of something for Miss May's upcoming birthday. Maybe I'll just give her the blue teapot. 

Another attempt

Playing with the whole greeting card thing again

Below is attempt 2 at the peeking bunny. Thank you, Jean for helping make this bunny a little less bizarre and creepy.

When April Showers

Just playin with the painted paper

My first official Zendala. Stressful - I keep wanting to balance it and center it; but I know that isn't necessary. Actually, I'm pleased with how this turned out.

 Playing with my new Prismacolor watercolor pencils to see how the color works. Interesting. This tangle is on Bristol board.

We went to IHOP and the girls loved the bunny clings peeking around the corners. I decided to try a Easter card with a peeking bunny.  Gel pens, Inktense pencils

Haven't been tangling as much this week. I have bows I need to make and some custom orders to get out.

Old Rhymes

My mother saved this verse I wrote. I didn't remember it; but it does express my awe at the tenacity of the little chickadees that overwinter in the snow.  Written for Jean's Advent spiral (Waldorf thing)

A Spiral Verse for Winter 

                             by Lynn Tatro  1993

When the stars shone brightly,

and it snowed lightly,

The chickadee snuggled 

in her small snow cave.

To live through winter

one must be brave.

We go on rightly,

until the sun shines brightly.

Birdies Build Your Nest

I was playing about with this nest on some wet on wet painted watercolor. I got a little close to the edge so.... this is a work in progress. I think I may add some words and maybe some spray ink. Who knows?

Greeting card. You know, I may have actually found my colring style. I really like the limited pallet and the sepia micron pen work. This card is mostly to explore the coloring technique again though I may just send it to my mother. I'd really like to work a soft grey in here. None of the blues are exactly what I want. It could be very good or very bad. I will need to experiment when I have more time.

Spring has Arrived!

"Sometimes our fate resembles a fruite tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it." 

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Sakura tangle

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Sometimes it's fun to just tangle a tangle 

I do miss springtime in places outside Alaska. Here it is pretty muddy though it's nice to have the sun returning. There is a shift - yes - there really is a shift.

Coupla Greetin' Cards for Fun

Not sure I like this one - seems too dark. Still learning my way around color

Did this one in early February but just now scanned it. The part of the tree where I originally wrote Happy Birthday was pretty messed up; so I made it a 3d card ;D 

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

This bunny is one of those cardboard forms from a craft store that someone covered with dark flowered fabric. She was sitting on the shelf at Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Shop and I couldn't resist. I can tangle that!  So after several coats of Titanium White acrylic craft pain I watched Dallas Seavey & Ally Zirkle finish the 2014 Iditarod Sled Dog Race to Nome and tangled this bunny with a brown Sakura Identipen. It is also sealed with acrylic spray. It was a lot of fun. I had no idea with I'd end up doing.  Sometimes that is part of the fun. I'm seriously considering selling her in my Etsy shop so stay tuned./ I probably need some better pictures. The outside world doesn't look too Springlike and indoor lighting is the pits.

Spring is on My Mind

It's so hard to get good pictures. I picked up this watering can for $1 on clearance. Had lots of ideas; but sometimes the tangle just happens. I'm rather pleased with this. The flowers are from Turn a Leaf. Sakura Permacolor metalic blue and sealed with acrylic sealant. 

I tangled the bottom of another tea tin with pink and really liked the effect. I used a Sakura pink Micron .01 and .05. I'll probably do another pink can. Need to start saving now for another  set of colored Micron pens. This one reminds me of my mother who loves all things pink.

The Sun Breaks Through - Easter

After the dreary day of freezing rain yesterday, the sunshine was a blessing for Easter. The piles of snow are melting into liquid earth. It looks solid but it isn't. Reminds me of learning to step back. I used to struggle with it. The movements were painful emotionally and physically because I was concerned about stepping into insecurity. But, now, the forms and movements are coming to me faster. I have more confidence in my stance and strength in my intention. In fact this week I managed to learn two lessons and several movements in the Chen form at Internal Gardens.

 I love doing form so much that sometimes I have to force myself to do the daily Qigong exercises like Ba Duan Jin. They've become like brushing teeth or doing scales on the piano. I know they're important but they require so much attention and dedication. I eat my spinach but I make it into a smoothie. Sometimes it seems like the Qigong isn't supposed to be sugar coated. But, if I relax and just enjoy the movements without belaboring every imagination, I tend to spend more time. Somewhere there is balance.

Mom reminded me that I have a tough week ahead and that the improved weather and sunshine will make the tasks ahead easier.

- just about to movement 30 of the Chen form - so excited.

Spring Equinox Alaska Style

Brilliant spring sunshine heralded the Spring Equinox today. Soon the bright turquoise ice on the lake will be black and the trees will be shrouded in the hazy pink of new buds. But, it is not Spring here yet.

"If you want to shrink something,You must first allow it to expand.If you want to get rid of something,You must first allow it to flourish.If you want to take something,You must first allow it to be given.This is called the subtle perceptionOf the way things are."
-Tao Te Ching

I connected online with the Spring Forest Qigong Spring healing meditation today. The sound of Master Chunyi Lin's voice and chanting was comforting. After many years practicing Transcendental Meditation and Zen Meditation, Taoist Healing Meditation is a totally new experience for me. I find myself experiencing colors and sensations that I didn't feel with TM or Zen. Sometimes I encounter people I haven't met, animals, or places I've never been. It's magical. And, it is healing. The openness and inclusiveness is remarkable.

Last night Chai mysteriously hurt his front leg in the middle of the night. We truly couldn't find a reason or hint of what was wrong. So, today, I tried my hand at distance Qigong healing. When he came out of Jean's room she remarked that he only had a "hitch" and May didn't see any favoring of a leg. So, maybe, I'm getting the hang of this healing stuff.

Spring is a good time to go elsewhere. Alaska is not at it's best in March and April. Hawaii sounds good or maybe to see the seals in Monterey Bay. At any rate I'm ready for renewal and healing, sunshine, and green.