Saturday, February 28, 2009

"You are NOT Invited..."

to my daily tea party...
which has been going on waaaay tooooo long!
This
congestion business is a pain...
nasal passages, chest, sinuses, ears, throat...
You name it...it's stuffy.
It's hard to breathe without gels and sprays and misted air.
The only thing "light and breezy"
around here is my
humidifier!
I really need to find myself a magic rabbit hole.
I need fresh breezy air!

IF Challenge: Friday, February 27, 2009
"Breezy"...(or...in my case NOT!)

"Of all the silly nonsense,
this is the stupidest tea party I've ever been to
in all my life."
~Alice

Friday, February 27, 2009

"Mom's Orchids..."

From Susan, David and the twins...
...partly captured here in a super quick sketch
while visiting
mom at rehab last week.
OOOH MY!
In real life "she" (the plant)
was gorgeous...and voluptuously lush
with lustrous green leaves.
making her stand close to 3 feet tall.
She was
decked out with dozens of lime green blooms
cascading one upon the other...
...and
from across the room looked "so easy to draw".
HAH!
After getting lost in all the foliage
I gave up on sketching the whole plant
and
I zeroed in on a single bloom
which I placed in the lower right corner...
In less than 5 minutes of sketching
I felt I was done.
Then I looked at it last night
added some color...okay...a lot of color...
and realized...
what "might have" been if I "would have" taken my time!
Oh well..."live and learn!" as they say
Or...
better yet...
in the words of Sarah Jessica Parker
...alias Carrie Bradshaw:

"As we drive along this road called life,
occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost.
And when that happens,
I guess she has to let go of the
coulda, shoulda, woulda,
and
buckle up and just keep going."
~
Carrie Bradshaw from "Sex and the City"

Thursday, February 26, 2009

"Lost...A Reprise..."

...and an addiction!

Just about a year ago...March 3rd , 2008...to be exact
I posted one of my "pen-tangled" designs
on my brand new blog...Water Blossoms.
The specific design was inspired
by a whole boatload of big philosophical ideas.
(Click here if you'd like to see it.)
Today
I post a similar piece...
drawn as a release of artistic energy...
right after watching yet another "Lost" episode
last night.
Yep!...Here I am...2009
still
addicted to my "faves" on television
and
still lost in oodles of doodles!
Time...Reality...Space ???
Not to worry.
No harm done in getting lost...
Right???
:)
HAPPY 23RD B-DAY COREY !
WE LOVE YOU! XO

"Reality is merely an illusion, although a very persistent one."
~
Albert Einstein

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

"It's a Small World..."

...of ATC cards...
The 1st three of my "Sunlight Series"...

Sun Flower...

Suntangle...
...and Sunkissed.

I am dealing with Day #3 of a miserable head cold...
I have been "told" to think happy, positive thoughts...
:( on that!
Instead...(in-between complaining and whining)
I have chosen to draw teeny things...
in small doses...
that's about all I can handle...
small doses...
and
then I breathe and try to decongest...
and
drink more tea
and
then I attempt
another
small
dose
of art.
:(
Tomorrow had best be better!
Fingers...Toes Crossed.

"If you treat a sick child like an adult and a sick adult like a child,
everything usually works out pretty well."
~
Ruth Carlisle

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

"Envelope Please..."

...And the winners
of my 1st year Blogiversary Giveaway are:

Cactus Postcards...Of 32 entries...3 winners:

The Gypsy...Dubai
Lisa Reed...USA

Zentangle B/W Bookmark...Of 21 entries...1 winner:

Soulbrush...UK

Lost in Fantasy Bookmark...Of 21 Entries...1 Winner:

Shirley...Paper and Threads...USA

Feather Zentangle Bookmarks...18 entries...3 winners:

3rd Eye Muse...USA
Lauren...Studio Lolo...USA
Teri C...Teri's Painted Daisies......USA

I was amazed and truly overwhelmed at the number of responses
to these little bits of celebratory art.
For this go around
all I have left to share is a genuine
Thank You...from the bottom of my heart...
to all who passed this way
and left a comment and a bit of
yourself
with
me!

Monday, February 23, 2009

"Introducing..."



...the 2009 starting line-up for
my first ever Fantasy "Cactus League" ATC Cards...
(with lots more to come!)
Just in time
to coincide this week with
the opening of major league baseball Spring Training
and
the arrival of the wonderful Cactus League teams
playing
here in Arizona.
If you are a baseball fan...our state is jumping with action...
Click here for official league info!

"Batter Up!" Try to hit a home run in Life today!
Happy Cactus Monday All!

“Every day is a new opportunity.
You can build on yesterday's success
or
put its failures behind and start over again.
That's the way life is, with a new game every day,
and that's the way baseball is.”
~
Bob Feller*

*NOTE: For a bit of Serendipity...
Bob Feller, age 90,
threw out the opening pitch today right here in Surprise Stadium
(which just happens to be the Spring Training home
for
the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals)
to begin
the "Old Timers" baseball game!

"I love when things like this happen! "
~Me

Sunday, February 22, 2009

"4th and Final..."

...my Blogiversary Giveaway Finale!
An original, fun, fabulous feather
from me to 3 of you...
drawn on Bristol board with ink,
measuring ~2"x 6"...
and tied with a teensy, thin black and white ribbon...:)
So, if you like,
just leave me a quick "howdy do" here
and, of course, a way to find you
by midnight tonight...(U.S. Mountain Standard Time)
February 22, 2009...
Time is a-ticking!
All the best! :)

"It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds."
~Aesop

Saturday, February 21, 2009

"IF: Instinct..."

...or in this case ...
"Flying by the seat of my pants!"



I am fascinated by the concept of "Artist Trading Cards"
and
recently have seen that several friends
have created them.
Sooo...thought I would play around Friday...
follow my instincts...
no plan whatsoever..."paintbrush first-straight in"
and simply see what might happen!
My efforts resulted in the "test" cards posted above.
Gosh...they are so small!
And now...what does one do with them???
Hmmm...
Anyone up for a trade? :)

Illustration Friday Topic: "Instinct"
February 20, 2009

"Good instincts usually tell you what to do
long before
your head has figured it out."
~
Michael Burke

"Instinct is action taken in pursuance of a purpose,
but without conscious perception
of what the purpose is."
~Van Hartmann


"Flying by the seat of one's pants
Definition: Deciding a course of action as you go along,
using your own initiative and perceptions
rather than a pre-determined plan
or mechanical aids."

Friday, February 20, 2009

"Points of View..."

...I was in the mood for exploring more roses today
especially
since the petals are opening up so beautifully.
I love that!
My pen has a tendency
to get mesmerized and lost in their structure.
About the time I get that somewhat down...the light changes!
Go figure, eh?
Mother nature never fails to amaze me!

"It is at the edge of a petal that love waits."
~William Carlos Williams
American Poet, 1883-1963

Thursday, February 19, 2009

"Lost in Fantasy..."

...Inspired by...and drawn during
Wednesday night's episode of one of my favorite
TV programs...
And... it is also
G.I.V.E.A.W.A.Y...#3!!!
...a tag or a book mark...
...it measures 3"x 7"
and is
tied with a brown and turquoise
mandala patterned ribbon!
Leave a quick "Howdy Do" from your little corner of blogland
right here on this post...
Deadline is midnight Sunday February 22nd.
Join the fun if you like! :)

"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves."
~Henry David Thoreau

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

"Tag or Book Mark...?!

...You decide which...
because
I present it here as my Blogiversary
"G.I.V.E.A.W.A.Y....#2"!!!
WooHoo!
It is an original zentangled design in ink on Bristol Board...
measuring 3"x 6"...
and tied with a perky dotted ribbon.
Are you interested? If so...
You know the drill...
...Leave a comment by midnight Sunday, February 22nd
and a way for me to reach you.
Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

"A Dozen..."

...from my "Sweetie"...
They are absolutely gorgeous...and make my heart smile.
Mmmmm...:)

"If I had a rose for every time I thought of you,
I'd be picking roses for a lifetime."
~Swedish Proverb

"I once had a rose named after me
and I was very flattered.
But I was not pleased
to read the description in the catalogue:
no good in a bed,
but fine up against a wall."
~Eleanor Roosevelt

Monday, February 16, 2009

"Well, Here She Is..."

...my postcard entry
which started me on my road to blogdom,
just 1 year ago...February 15, 2008!
I felt it important to post "her" again here today,
...in this most honored place,
as part of a very
special
Cactus Monday celebration!
Special?
...Did she just say "Special Cactus Monday"???
Yep, I sure did...
Why so special, you might ask?
Well, how about a 1st Blogiversary celebration
G-I-V-E-A-W-A-Y!!!
to spread a bit of cactus cheer and good will
around bloggyland!?!
Sooo...
...simply leave a comment here
by midnight next Sunday night February 22,
and
I will draw two lucky names to receive
one of the postcards pictured above
OOOH! Also,
Be sure I can get a hold of you via your blog or email
in case your name is drawn.
WooHoo!
This should be great fun!
Psssst...More fun Blogiversary goodies are planned...
stay tuned! :)

Have a Happy Cactus Monday All!

"Each day offers us the gift of being
a special occasion
if we can simply learn that as well as giving
it is blessed to receive
with grace and a grateful heart."
~Sarah Ban Breathnach

Sunday, February 15, 2009

"Unbelieveable...!"


Who would have ever thought it???
Waterblossoms' 1st Anniversary...my 300th post...
and this week's
Illustration Friday Theme: "Celebrate"!!!
The stars must be aligned in blog heaven for sure!
WooHoo!

My deepest thanks to each of you
for your continual artistic support, love, wisdom,
and kind words.
Thanks, too,
for the quick little "pop-ins" every now and again
as you navigate
through the beautifully mesmerizing avenues of blogland.
You have certainly treated me right this past year...
I have travelled via your sketchbooks
to the beautiful destinations
you each call "home"...
Together
we explored parts of this great artistic world of ours
coloring our imaginations with new perspectives and ideas.
Your words have have brought me smiles...
...big wide ones...
that almost hurt they were so big!
Your words have also brought me tears...
...soft gentle ones...
of friendship, sympathy, and support.
We have giggled a bit, too...well, actually a whole lot!
Sometimes, I just sit here and roar with laughter!
You have encouraged me
to attempt new artistic endeavors
and
I have thoroughly enjoyed each ride along the way.
Our little artistic community
has invigorated my love of art
and
has enriched my heart with a world of amazing
friendships.
Today...I celebrate YOU!
And...that's a big WOOHOO!!! of happiness
you hear
coming all the way from the Arizona desert to a
computer near you!
:)

"Do not cease to drink beer,
to eat, to intoxicate thyself, to make love,
and
to celebrate the good days."
~Egyptian Proverb

Saturday, February 14, 2009

"At Last...!"

On Tuesday, February 9th...
after spending an entire day playing the
"hospital discharge waiting game"
Mom was, at long last, transferred to a surgical follow up
rehabilitation center.
Despite the fact
that her surgery went extremely well,
some severe leg muscle spasms
have been causing her bits of distress
here and there.
In rehab, she will receive therapy for 3 hours daily
to work out her new knee.
Muscle relaxants and massages will hopefully
help alleviate the spasms.
(Fingers and toes crossed! )
Her new "digs" at the rehab center are awesome...
her room is like a mini suite in a luxurious hotel.
It is really plush, soothing, and upbeat.
What a change from the hospital!
It's so interesting to observe
what a huge difference environment makes
on one's well being!

"There is an old Tibetan saying:
wherever you feel at home, you are at home.
If your surroundings are pleasant,
you are at home."
~Tenzin Gyatso,
The 14th Dalai Lama

"Back Tracking..."

a week or so...and catching up with a couple
sketchbook journal entries.

On February 7th,
while en route to the hospital to visit mom...
we stopped at AJ's..."Purveyors of Fine Foods"...
for a quick bite to eat.
We sat outdoors on the sunny patio
and
enjoying the crisp, fresh February Arizona air
we downed a grilled bratwurst
and blackberry jasmine green iced tea....Ahhhhh!
It was delicious.
On the other side of the valley...
a different perspective on dining...mom's room
(where she felt she was being held "captive"...LOL)
and some views
of the things that became all too familiar to all of us.

"You never really understand a person
until you consider things from his
point of view."
~
Harper Lee

"Blogging Goodies..."

...From some truly wonderful Blogging friends.
What joy
these little surprises have brought!
I thank each and every one of you...
and
am humbled by your generosity...
and embarassed by my late posting and
lack of email organization...
Some of these date back to the end of December!
Geesch!

"How did it get so late so soon?
Its night before its afternoon.
December is here before its June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?"
~Dr. Seuss
From Marianne in the Netherlands!
From Soulbrush in London!
From Soulbrush in London!
From Kazumiwannabe in France and Clare in Australia!
From Ann in the Blue Ridge Mountains!
From MuseSwings in Florida and Soulbrush in London, U.K.!
From Alex n' Alicia in New England...and Soulbrush in London
From Trish in Colorado!
From Serena in Brooklyn New York!
From Snarky in California!

"Doing What You Love..."

...is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life."
~Dr. Wayne Dyer
"In our life there is a single color,
as on an artist's palette,
which provides the meaning of life and art.
It is the color of
LOVE."
~Marc Chagall

Happy Valentine's Day All...
may each memory of your day be colored with love!

Friday, February 13, 2009

"Heart Views..."

"We forge the chains we wear in life."
~Charles Dickens

May your life's chains be golden and your heart
"views" filled with growth.


"Your vision will become clear
only when you can look into your own heart.
Who looks outside, dreams;
who looks inside,
awakens."
~Carl Jung

Thursday, February 12, 2009

"Thinking about...

...some of the little everyday things
which
tug with all their might at tender heartstrings.


heart·strings (härtstriÅ‹z′)
deepest feelings or affections
Etymology: tendons or nerves formerly believed

to brace the heart.
SOURCE: Webster's New World College Dictionary


"The best gifts are tied with heartstrings."
~Author Unknown

"Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings,
and
making music with them."
~ Dennis Gabor

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

"Dream Catcher..."

"When the deep purple falls over sleepy garden walls
And the stars begin to twinkle in the night...
In the mist of a memory
you wander on back to me...
Breathing my name with a sigh.
In the still of the night
once again I hold you tight.
Though you're gone,
your love lives on when moonlight beams.
And as long as my heart will beat,
sweet lover we'll always meet
Here in my
deep purple dreams."

~Lyrics by Mitchell Parish, music by Peter De Rose.
(Written in 1934 as a piano composition - lyrics added in 1939)


"Within your heart, keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go."
~Louise Driscoll

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

"Just Wondering..."

Does one's checkered past
continually burn deeply within the heart
transforming hope into ashes
or
does it add needed fuel and energy to one's spirit
and
brightly color the palette of love and life?
Hmmm....


"A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart
burning with love."
~Mother Teresa

Monday, February 9, 2009

"Rescue Me...!"

I'm stuck...and slowing fraying apart at the seams!
LOL :)
(#2 in the Black Heart Series)
Wishing all a stress free, unfrayed Cactus Monday!

"I am like a book,
with pages that have stuck together for want of use:
my mind needs unpacking
and the truths stored within must be turned over
from time to time,
to be ready when occasion demands."
~Seneca
(Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD)

Sunday, February 8, 2009

"Hearts, Anyone...?"

How about a whole Valentine's day week
filled with them?!

Introducing here to you today...
the first in my "Black Heart" series of
art designs drawn with a bit of an
urban edge.

"One of the hardest things in life
is having words in your heart that you can't utter."
~ James Earl Jones

Saturday, February 7, 2009

"My Sincerest ...

Thanks
to each of you...from the very bottom of my heart.
Each and every Day...

and each and every Night...
your thoughtful good wishes for my mom's
speedy recovery
reach my computer and lodge themselves snuggly in my blog.
They are a major energy boost
and
a refreshing way to end these hectic days.
We are off again in just a bit
back across the valley to the hospital
I expect the next few days will be much the same.

The heart above is a paper strip collage
of oriental calligraphy
I wove into a heart shape..."Day"
and then digitally flipped to show "Night."
This weekend
there is a huge Chinese New Year celebration
at the Chinese Cultural center in Phoenix
with lots of art, food, music, dragons
and ceremonial dancing...
OOOH MY!
What a great sketchbook page that would have made!
For now though...
I have just a paper heart sent with thanks to you
from me. :)

"The greatest treasures
are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart."
~ Author Unknown

Friday, February 6, 2009

"Knee(d) Surgery...?"

Yep! My mom had knee replacement surgery today
and my sketchbook went along to
record the day.
Here is a remarkable fact:
It took Scott and I 70 minutes to get from our house
in Surprise
to the hospital where mom's surgery was done
which is on the other side of the valley
in Scottsdale.
Now get this...
My mom's total surgical time was 55 minutes....
...15 minutes less than our travel time!!!
I find that unbelievable!
Anyway...
mom is doing well, even standing and walking a step
a mere 2 hours
after coming out of the recovery room.
We are blessed her day went well.
Even the weather smiled upon us
as we all spent most of our waiting time
out of doors
in the hospital courtyard.
Fragrant blossoms scented the air
hypnotizing us into
settling back and enjoying the Arizona sunshine...
Susan even "caught a few winks"!

"Language
is the means of getting an idea from my brain
into yours without surgery."
~Mark Amidon

Thursday, February 5, 2009

"A Flippin' Feather..."


...drawn in my Moly...flipped here just for fun!

"The day is done,
and the darkness, falls from the wings of Night,
As a feather is wafted downward,
from an eagle in his
flight."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow