Tangle with P-Q-R

Here's my entry in Diane and Carolien's Weekly Zentangle Challenge. The task this week was to use tangles beginning with P, Q and R. Only tangles with these letters or other tangles too are okay. I enjoyed getting to know Printemps, Quib and Rain. When I did this one a few weeks ago (I'm still ahead with these challenges) I would have said my favourite was Quib but now it's between Quib and Rain. I've enjoyed using Rain quite a lot since doing this tile.

Details at http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog/2015/05/weekly-challenge-6-tangle-with-p-q-r/ if you would like to join in.

 

Shadow Shot Sunday - May 17th, 2015

A great day for shadows today!

 

See other people's shadow shots at www.shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.com

Assembling a bike - riding a bike

If someone had told me last week that I would assemble and ride a bike this week I don't think I would have believed them. 

My eldest daughter asked me to go for a walk to the local shops on Monday. When we got there she told me she was going to get the bike she had on layby. I said we could get a taxi home if it was too heavy to carry in the box. That was rather an optimistic thought. When it was brought out I could see straight away it wouldn't fit in a taxi. What would we do? I read on the box that it was 'easy assembly - 25 minutes'. She had also just bought a helmet so I suggested we find somewhere quiet to assemble it and then she could ride home. All we needed was an adjustable spanner as the other tools were included in the box. 

We got to work and nearly two hours later it was time for the first ride. What was that about 25 minutes and easy??!!

Anyway we got it home with a combination of riding and walking and with some further tightening she has ridden it to work and home a couple of times. 

Yesterday she sent me a text asking me to get the bike as she had ridden to work but couldn't ride it home as it would be dark and she doesn't have lights. I thought I'd walk it home but then decided to try riding for a bit. It's been almost thirty years since I've ridden a bike and it was wobblier than I remember but that saying has some truth - you never forget how to ride a bike! 

My six words this week - 

Assembling a bike - riding a bike

This is a six word Saturday post. See how others describe their week or part thereof at www.showmyface.com

The Diva's Weekly Zentangle Challenge #217

For this week's challenge Laura has assigned Dex (3 letters) and Bunzo (5 letters) in honour of her 35th birthday. Happy Birthday Laura! Here's my tile - 

You can join in at www.iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com where Laura also posts delightful photos and stories of her family. 

Tangle with M-N-O

Mooka is a lot of fun! I had seen it in a lot of people's tiles and was keen to give it a go myself. It's one I will enjoy playing with a lot more. Although I wasn't a huge fan of Onamato when I did this one (I'm quite ahead on these challenges so it was a few weeks ago) I have found myself using it quite a lot since. 

Here is my entry for Diane and Carolien's Weekly Challenge. 

Mooka, Nipa and Onamato

Noticing different things without a car...

Things have been a bit different around here this week without the use of our car. It broke down last Friday and after the initial chaos it really hasn't been too bad. Getting teenagers where they needed to be straight after it broke down was quite a juggle with a few phone calls made and I'm very grateful for the friend who came to the rescue. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!! 

Since then though I've enjoyed not getting in and out of the car so many times a day. It's taken a bit of planning as I can't quickly jump in the car if I don't have something. I've been very appreciative of online shopping so I'm not having to lug bags home. I've also been able to relax at home a little more as I haven't had to pick people up, drop them off etc. A lot of what we need is within fairly close walking distance so that's good.

My six words for this week - 

Noticing different things without a car. 

This morning I went to poetry group and really enjoyed the walk to the train and the 5 minute train ride. It struck me how wonderful it was to notice a lot that I wouldn't normally get to see. The pelican that glided down to the water and made ripples as it skimmed the water. The reflections of birds in the water. The flowers poking up over someone's fence. The autumn leaves everywhere and especially the lone one that slowly floated upwards, twisting as it moved through the air. 

When I walked through the alleyway close to home I could hear some parrots and then saw them in a tree above. I managed to get close enough to get an alright photo with my phone.

This is a six word Saturday post. To see how other people describe their week or part thereof in six words go to www.showmyface.com. 

The Diva's Weekly Zentangle Challenge #216

I'm back again for The Diva's Weekly ChallengeThis week's task is a Use My Tangle one as it is the first week of the month. The tangle is Brella by Canadian Bunny Wright. 

I found this one a lot of fun and will post my first attempt (after a little practice in my sketchbook). I think I'm going to like using this pattern many more times, and especially playing with direction and size. 

Shadow Shot Sunday - May 3rd, 2015

Just two leaves left on the tree in the front yard. 

This post is for Shadow Shot Sunday. See other people's photos of shadows at www.shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.com. 

Treasure found lying around the house...

I often wish that my daughters were better at putting things away. My eldest daughter (18) often has a project on the go. The latest was to teach herself how to crochet, which she did amazingly well, making a cat toy which was really cute. Often she leaves the materials out rather than taking them to her room or packing them away. This annoys me but then every now and then I don't mind. Like the morning I was doing a bit of tidying and came across this picture of Max from Where the Wild Things Are on the couch. 

How gorgeous! She had asked me to pass her the figurine the evening before (see http://kyliesconversations.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/shadow-shot-sunday-october-5th-2014.html for photos of Max and some of his wild friends) and a tin of pencils. 

My six words for this week - 

Treasure found lying around the house

perhaps when you least expect it (another six!)

Over at Kate's blog you can see how others describe their week or part thereof in six words. 

Tangle with J-K-L

This week for Diane and Carolien's Weekly Zentangle challenge the task is to tangle with patterns beginning with J, K and L. Using patterns only beginning with those letters is okay as is adding other patterns if you want. I decided to use one pattern beginning with each letter. As soon as I saw Laced I knew that was the one I wanted and Knightsbridge is one I like quite a lot and have drawn before. Jetties was one I hadn't done before and decided to give it a go. Getting that round shape takes some practice!

I wasn't happy with my first attempt and decided to try again. I'm much happier with the second one but I'm a little scared to shade it and not sure whether I will. Interestingly though, the few people I've showed them to have preferred the first one. Which one do you prefer? 

If you would like to join in the fun go here.