Challenges 16, 17 and 18

Time is just a little bit tight as I'm flying to see our precious grandchild tomorrow. However, I was determined to get today's challenge finish and to post the last three. Here we go.

 For those not familiar with sewing tools, this cutter is the tool that replaces scissors for cutting fabric. You place it against a thick ruler and quickly slice off a piece of material. Yeah!

My boys, now both in their 30's, played the recorder in grammar school. It was required. Mom's hang onto things. I was happy to have a musical instrument to draw.

This is the view from my studio. It's fun seeing what others get to look at each day. We certainly do all have different perspectives! Now, I just need to figure out how to draw something I've made that I can take on the airplane.

Challenges 13, 14, and 15

Almost didn't make my self imposed deadline of one drawing each day in May. Today we had a luncheon at our house for our friend Esther, who is celebrating her 96th birthday! I mean, how many people even know a 96 year old. She is active, lives alone, mentally sharp and has school teacher handwriting. I can only hope to be doing as well should I make it to that age. So, finishing the leaves challenge was forcing this tired body to set priorities and chose to do the drawing for today. Obviously I managed. 

 The suggested drawing number 13 was obviously (I hope) a phone.

Number 14 was to draw what you see when you get up. This is the view from my bed. We have a two story house, so we see the tops of trees. 

Tonight's piece was to be of a leaf, leaves or trees. I chose my new coleus. Interesting leaves is this plants gift. Now I'm ready to unwind.

.

 

Challenges 10, 11, 12

For those who may be new to this blog, I am participating in a challenge to draw each day in May, from a list complied by the group called Every Day Matters. The pictures push me to sharpen my drawing skills.

OK, all drawings are not going to be "right on". I do have long fingers, but these are a bit creepy.

Here I was to draw my glasses which do not have frames. To get both sides even is still my challenge.

Dinner tonight was homemade pizza (no cheese).

On to the next challenges. Sometimes I tend to make the project too hard. Yet, I am learning how to use the tools that have been in my studio for years. That is a good thing!

Challenges 7, 8 and 9

I'm continuing my challenge of drawing the the Every Day Matters list for each day during May.

I was able to really settle into project #7. I can tell the difference when I get into the zone.

Someone may have been expecting diamonds, but not for me. This is a pin that expresses "dream".

I was a tad afraid of this challenge. Wait, isn't that idea. To challenge ourselves.

Challenges 4, 5, and 6

Continuing with the challenge of a drawing a day for the month of May.

Yes, this is a ceramic mug. OK, no handle, but designed to hold pencils, pens, etc.

Challenge #5 is my bed. I really wasn't floating as I drew that, but I guess that I just wanted a different perspective.

This is a ceramic dog that used to sit on the coffee table when I was a little kid. Probably worth nothing financially, but it reminds me of growing up in Mill Valley, CA. Memories are priceless.

Quilts and zentangles

 

23" x 25"

Recently I decided to follow the guidelines in a book, Kaleidoscope Quilts, by Paula Nadelstern. This is my first attempt. Paula does outstanding detailed work that makes my pieces seem every so humble.There are actually only four fabrics with bead work added. But I wanted to show you the quilting in the background.

First, it was very brave of me to use contrasting thread. I chose a varigated blue shiny thread. Then, I got into the zentangle mode and created shapes that, in the end, look like pebbles. This technique is called freemotion quilting where the quilt is moved as the needle is going up and down.. I am not restricted to straight lines. Basically, I was as free as if I had picked up a pen. This process made me realize that quilters have been doing zentangles for a long time-before the name became popular. Art expressed in a different form.

EMD Challenges 1, 2 and 3

OK, I'm saying it out loud. I am joining in the EDM challenge to draw from the EDM list, numbers 1-30, each day in May. Apparently, once you have committed yourself so that others hear your words, it's harder to back down. A continuous line drawing was very freeing. I plan to do more. Little by little this wonderful group of artists at Everyday Matters keeps encouraging me to push beyond my comfort zone. Thank you!