Today Is The End

Today is the official end of ICAD

(Index Card A Day).

Tammy started this challenge in 2011 and I've participated every year.
Some years more successfully than others.

The ICAD challenge is about doing a tiny creative project each day for 61 days (June-July). It's not an art challenge and you definitely do NOT need to be an artist to participate. Instead, it's a creative challenge. 
The project must be done on an index card.
Tammy provides prompts for each day.
Participants can follow the prompts or go their own way.
A friend of mine used the prompts and wrote a haiku each day.
I went my own way trying to do more collage.

This year I'll be playing catch up.
I've made 40 cards so far.
I hurt my hand (wrist and thumb) several weeks ago.
That slowed me down.

Here are a few of the Index Cards (all 3x5) I've made this year:

I've had people ask what I do with the cards.
Some of my favorites I have framed and they are scattered around the house.
I scan all of the cards as I finish so that I will always have a record of them.
Some have flown off to new homes because someone has done a lot of begging! 
Many just continue to live in a decorated box I have.
Looking over six years worth of cards I can can say my "art" abilities have come a long way!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Mosaic Monday

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing YOU well and much joy on this 4th of July.

This and That

- June Is National Iced Tea Month 

and that's a very good thing!


- June marks the beginning of hurricane season 
and that is not a very good thing.......

- ICAD (Index Card A Day) started --
June and July --
61 little pieces of art on an index card.

This is my Index Card for June 1.
Mixed-media, paper scraps, ephemera, stamps, fortune cookie.

"The challenge is about the DOING and not the
KEEPING or PRESERVING or ARCHIVING. 
It is the process of creating each day that matters."
~ Tammy at Daisy Yellow


- I had a birthday.

It started by opening all the birthday cards.

*

Flowers from a dear friend.
Too cute!

Instead of birthday cake--

birthday cupcakes --

fudge bites with frosting.

YUM!

-  Musashi's Garden had a visitor -- a charming little lady.....

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five on Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

This and That

1. I missed the Farmers Market last Saturday.

Yep, more rain.

But, I hit the jackpot at the Rice University Farmers Market on Tuesday.

I came home with Greek Chèvre from Blue Heron Farm,

a loaf of Rosemary/Garlic bread, tomatoes, blueberries 

(I forgot to pull them out for their "portrait")

and, last but not least and certainly drum roll worthy,

Peaches! 

I'm really looking forward to the Rosemary bread toasted,
slathered with chèvre and topped with tomatoes....
good for breakfast, lunch or dinner ... snack too!

2. It was on the warm side on Tuesday and humid.
But, I lucked out again.
 Karbach Brewing Company
was giving away beer to those of us 21 and over.

I tried Love Street.
There was even a story on the can:

"In the 1960s on Allen's Landing sat Love Street,
a hot spot of music and social impact.
The venue hosted eclectic characters ranging from open mic-er's
to the Lizard King himself. Love Street was not only a place,
but a state of mind. A place to unwind and let the music refresh your soul.

Likewise, Love Street is a state of mind. Brewed in the Kolsch-style and
hopped delicately with floral German hops, this beer boasts a clean
malt profile that refreshes to the core, without sacrificing character.
So crack one open and find your own Love Street!"

Now I ask you, how could I pass that up??!!
So, I'm having a Staycation, enjoying my water garden,
listening to music, a book and kitties nearby.
Beer or tea?
It must be cold, whatever the drink of choice! 


3. The baseball season has come to an end for the Rice Owls.
They lost in the regionals to LSU.
The Owls gave the Tigers a good run.
Already looking forward to college baseball next year.


4.  I'm still lunching with pals to celebrate my birthday. Yeehaw!


5. ICAD continues.
This is one of my favorites from the past week.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

This and That

1. I celebrated my birthday this week.

A good friend took me to Cafe Caspian to celebrate.

I had Chenjeh (chunks) of chicken breast, marinated, skewered and charbroiled, served with Albalu Polow (Cherry Rice) white basmati rice topped with flavorful sweet and sour cherries, almonds, and pistachios.

Peach iced tea.

Delicious!


2. I have more celebration lunches planned with members of my tribe, 
but it has to stop raining.
Yes, it is still raining.

3. ICAD 2016 is underway.

Fly High is my card for June 1.

Only 60 more to go! 

4. One year older means it's time for my annual with my Doc.

All the tests are done.

Meeting with him in two weeks.

The trials and tribulations of getting older!

5. I need to visit the farmers market this weekend.
I need more peaches!
I feel so bad for the farmers.
The rains haven't been kind.
Hope it isn't raining Saturday morning.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!



Willy Nilly Friday

Five On Friday

I'm Feeling a Bit Moldy

1. Im feeling a bit moldy after rain all week. 

April showers bring May flowers. 

In my case, April showers bring more May showers. 

Lots of tropical downpours meaning I'm taking water OUT of the pond. 

I don't want the water going over and the fish going over, too. 

2. I just finished Journey to Munich: A Maisie Dobb's Novel by Jacqueline Winspear. 

I've read each and every one of the Maisie novels. 

I'm happy to report that Maisie is back. 

She is dealing with the deaths of her husband and child. 

In Journey to Munich Maisie is sent undercover to Berlin to bring back a British citizen who has been imprisoned in Dachau. 

3. The regular home season for the Rice University baseball season is over. 

I'm going to miss my little buddy Sofie. 

Sofie is six months old and is in training to be a service dog. 

Her people are parents of a Rice baseball player . 

Sofie is a great baseball fan and I'm going to miss her (and her people).

4. I finished another knitted shawl. 

I'm calling it a shawl/scarf as it is smaller in size than the shawl I finished earlier.

 The pattern is free and can be found here. 

5. I've been gathering my index cards. The 2016 version of ICAD (Index Card A Day) will start on June 1. This will be my fourth year and it is always fun. A little bit of art every day is good for everyone!  

Meow 2013 ICAD

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Willy Nilly Friday

Five On Friday

Random Five Friday with Nancy

This and That

I've been home nursing my bad back

and trying not to sit for any length of time ...

that means no blog posts.

So, I decided it was time to do a This and That post
adding a little bit every few days.

*

(Karen from Houston Chronicle)

I think I've watched the Mike Friers No-No game three times.

Friday night when it happened, 
early Saturday morning rerun 
and the Saturday afternoon rerun.
Mike came from the Brewers to the Astros in a trade.
This was his first complete game and 
the first No Hitter in Minute Maid Park.

Exciting each time I watched.

**

I participated in the Index Card A Day challenge again this summer.
However, I didn't do 61 cards this year.
I simply ran out of steam and the back didn't help.

I thought I'd share a few of my favorites starting with cats.

Then collage....

I took my time.
Didn't rush and completed 34 cards.

***

So, if I wasn't being arty, and I wasn't reading..
what have I been doing???
Crocheting!
On these hot, miserable days I didn't want to go out.
So I decided if I was going make things for the holidays,
now was a good time to get busy!




I liked the pattern and the cowl looked quick and easy (it is).
I picked two color ways -- Ocean Waves and Desert Sands --
and will have enough yarn to make several cowls.
I always keep the first one for myself.
It has all the mistakes I make while I'm figuring out the pattern!
I really didn't like this yarn (Lion Brand Textures) when I started.
It was difficult to see the loops and where to put the next stitch.
But, by the time I was finished with the first one, I was moving right along
and liking the result.

This is the Ocean Waves color way and the first one I made (mine!). 

And this is the Desert Sands on the right.
It has a Southwest feel. 
 I have a new cowl and one made for a gift. 
Moving right along!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

I'm joining the lovely Judith for Mosaic Monday.

International Cat Day

To celebrate International Cat Day, here are my three fur-babes.

Teddy (AKA Theodorable, The Tedster) is  Chief Executive Officer.

He is eleven years old and has a heart condition.

He takes medicine daily and is, thankfully, doing great.

He is wise beyond his years and is steadfast in his belief that he

must take care of Mum now.

After all, he is the man of the house.

This is Cassie (Cassiopeia) the little star.   

She is 5 years old.

She is Mummy's girl and is a Princess.

Scared of her own shadow, she doesn't like visitors.

She curls up next to Mum, sleeps with Mum,

keeps me safe and feeling loved.
She loves to supervise especially when yarn is involved.

Not to be left out is Mina.

What a hoot she is!

Adopted from a local no kill shelter,

she really is the boss (don't tell Teddy).

She's always into something.

Never met a stranger (wish she was more like Cassie).

Hungry all the time (probably from her early days on the street).

She has hip dysplasia, but it doesn't stop her.

So, I'm a cat lover and according to this article that I found on 

Face Book, there are benefits to being a cat owner.

If you are wondering about being owned by a cat (!!!),

here's what a cat can do for you! 

The Benefits of Being A Cat Owner from Mental Floss

1. YOU'RE SMART!

A study of British pet owners found that people who owned cats  tended to be smarter than their dog loving counterparts. Both in terms of IQ score and overall level of education, people who own cats come out on top in the brains department. It’s probably not the cat itself making you smarter, though; the researchers conducting the study said that smarter people tend to work longer hours, and since cats require less attention than dogs they are a better choice for the busy intellectual.

2. IT'S BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT!

If you're worried about your  carbon footprint, it’s better to own a cat. A 2009 study found that over its lifetime, the resources needed to feed a dog make the same eco-footprint as that of a Hummer. Meanwhile, cats—which eat less in general and are more likely to eat fish than corn or beef flavored products—only have the approximate carbon footprint of a Volkswagen Golf.

3. HELPING YOU COPE!

Losing a loved one is incredibly painful, but one of the best ways of coping is to own a pet. Cats have been shown to help people get over their loss more quickly, and show less physical symptoms of pain, like crying. Despite the fact that they are only animals, cats serve as a social support during difficult times. People in mourning report talking to their pet to work out their feelings, since it is often easier to talk to something that won’t respond and can’t judge than to another human being.

4. HELPING YOU MATE!

If you’re a single guy and you can’t seem to get a date, get a cat! A British poll found that 82 percent of women agreed they are more attracted to men who like animals. And while having a dog will do wonders for your dating life, a whopping 90 percent of single women said that men who own a cat are “ nicer” than other guys. It seems women buy into the stereotype that cat owners are more sensitive and thoughtful, so listing that you own a cat on your dating profile could do wonders for the number of responses you get. But remember, a cat is for life, not just until you find a partner.

5. HEART HEALTH!

Owning any pet is good for your heart. Cats in particular lower your stress level—possibly since they don’t require as much effort as dogs—and lower the amount of anxiety in your life. Petting a cat has a positive calming effect. One study found that over a ten year period cat owners were  30 percent less likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than non-cat owners.

6. COMPANIONSHIP!

The stereotype that dogs are more affectionate than cats is just that: a stereotype. In fact, it turns out that cats can be just as good companions as dogs,  especially for women. A 2003 Swiss study found that having a cat in the house is the emotional equivalent of having a romantic partner. As well as initiating contact much of the time, studies have shown cats will remember kindness shown to them and return the favor later.

But cats really do have the upper hand in these relationships. After thousands of years of domestication, cats have learned how to make a half purr/half howl noise that sounds remarkably  like a human baby’s cry. And since our brains are programmed to respond to our children’s distress, it is almost impossible to ignore what a cat wants when it demands it like that.

7. A REFLECTION OF YOUR PERSONALITY!

Owning a cat tells people a lot about your personality. While dog lovers tend to be the life of the party, cat owners are  quieter and more introverted. However, they score very highly when it comes to how trustworthy they are and how much they trust other people. Cat owners are also less manipulative and more modest.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Thank you to the hosts of:

and Mosaic Monday.

Catching Up

I've been away for awhile.

I have lots of catching-up to do.

Be patient.

I'll be around to visit -- I promise!

First, here's what's happening around here:

I have some new neighbors.
When I went out to take a photo of them,
Mom wasn't too happy. 
She kept an eye on me the whole time .. along with the babe.


I have a crocosmia blooming in Musashi's Garden.
I planted them last year ... this one and a red one.
They are grown from corms and are a relative of the Iris.
Native to South Africa and the Sudan.
In the states they are known as copper tips or falling stars.
I'm sure I saw then on another blog.
Do I remember which one?
No! Sorry!


Index Card a Day is going strong.
This is Bingo Lady -- torn book pages, acrylic paint, collage.
Some wonderful little pieces of art are being shared on the ICAD FB group.
Why don't you join us?
No pressure .. work at your own speed.
This is my fourth year and I learn so much.


I've had a birthday.
One of my surprise gifts was this wonderful Grapefruit/Mandarin
candle from Goose Creek.
I won this candle in the give-a-way that BJ at Sweet Nothings had.
I love this candle.
The whole house smells like citrus -- summer time!
A big thank you to BJ and to Goose Creek.


**
I spent sometime in Raleigh, North Carolina.
It's not a good place to go if you are on a diet!
BGD (beautiful god-daughter) and her handsome fella
asked me to come for their confirmation.
Here they are on confirmation day.
Look at those smiles!

They have a beautiful home and BGD sets a gorgeous table filled with memories.
The china from her maternal grandmother,
the shell napkin rings and crystal from his maternal grandmother,
and the silver from me.

The other reason to visit was to meet my god-dog.
Oh, my, but he is a handsome guy ... and big!
He's a sweet boy, gentle (rolling on the floor with moi).

More photos to come.

Hope all is well with you and yours.
Wishing YOU well and much joy!

A big thank you to Judith for hosting Mosaic Monday.

Lotus Number 1

The official opening of Index Card A Day (ICAD) is today.

Here's my first card of the challenge:

I'm calling it Lotus #1.

I started with a 4 x 6 index card.

Added some book paper and other papers to thicken up the card.

Then the paint.

I love painting with my fingers.

It feels good! 

There is just nothing like Smooshing (technical term) paint!

For more information on the ICAD challenge please go here.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Index Card A Day

It's almost that time again.

Time to get out the index cards and participate

in the index card a day (ICAD) challenge over at Daisy Yellow.

The action starts on June 1.

Why don't you join us?

You can find more information here.

Here are a few ICADs that I made last year:









Come play with us!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Tangents and Tactics: Starburst

The Index Card A Day Challenge may be over,

but Tammy is still busy keeping me busy!

She has started a new Art Journal Tangents and Tactics Series.

The series includes art journaling techniques, video tutorials and creative prompts.

 Need new ideas for your journal pages?

This is the place!

Tangent #1 is the Starburst.

Here's my Starburst.

I took my time with this one.

I doodled.

I had new stencils I hadn't tried yet, so I did!

I collect quotes, words that I like and you can see some of them here.

Some watercolor pencil, brush markers, micron pen.

Thank you Tammy!

You can see more Starbursts here.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Done!

Sixty-one Index Cards are finished.

A little piece of arty goodness for 61 days.

YeeHaw!

Here are the last ICADs.

ICAD #57 for July 27, 2014: Fly
Watercolor, micron pen, brush marker.
Doodles

ICAD # 58 for July 28, 2014: Carousel (prompt). 
Watercolor, micron pen, Sharpie metallic pens.
Rocking all the way to the sunset of ICAD!

ICAD # 59 for July 29, 2014: Tulip. 
Love the watercolors! 
Micron pen.

ICAD #60 for July 30, 2014: Stork. 
This is all from the bits and bobs box. 
I had planned on something else and started with torn paper scraps and a light wash of gesso. 
Then I took the b&b box out and everything changed. 
This is in honor of the newborn triplets (!!!girls!!!) in the neighborhood.

ICAD #61 for July 31, 2014: Simplify. 
This is not an original idea. 
I first saw it on a photograph and then when I was walking around Barnes and Noble yesterday I saw it again on a small book titled something like 365 ideas to simplify your life. I decided then that someone was trying to tell me something. 
Watercolor and micron pen. 
If you look carefully, above the first dotted "i" is a tiny heart. 
It's the way the watercolor ran. 
Not planned at all. 
My second clue that this was a good way to end the ICAD Challenge.

Sixty-one days of arty goodness on an index card.
My thanks to Tammy at Daisy Yellow.
She is the heart, soul and brains behind this challenge
I'm looking forward to 2015.

And, a big "I'll miss you" to all the great folks on the ICAD 2014 FB page.
What fun we had! Sharing ideas. Cheering each other on.

So, what will I do now?!!
I'm going to gently ease back into my usual blogging routine.
I have a crochet afghan to finish (leftover from Valentine's Day).
All the squares are made. I just need to put them together.
The afghan is first.
I have lots of photographs to edit and play with.
I'll not be bored! 

Until the next post:

May you be filled with loving-kindness.
May you be well.
May you be peaceful and at ease.
May you be happy.