Challenge #49 - Red Thread

Version one: Spinners, Popsicles, Tipple, Shard, Hollibaugh,
Cross Stitch, Golven, Pendrils, and a red thread!

Version two: It's all about the red thread,  Pendrils a' growin'!

Cris Letournea, CZT of Tangled Up in Art takes up the Diva's challenge this week.

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break."
- Chinese proverb

To raise awareness for the mission of the Red Thread Promise, she asks us to to create a traditional black and white tangle tile with a single red "thread" running through it.

A wonderful challenge for this time of year when we are asked to give thanks and appreciate what and who we have in our lives. I am blessed with wonderful family and friends and cherish each and every one of them. This is a great proverb and helps me appreciate what I have, rather than what is missing in my life.

Thanks for another wonderful, thought provoking challenge. Time for all us to count our blessings and wish Artoo a speedy recovery. 

Challenge #48 - Sue Clark - String Theory v. VII: "Tri-Shapes"



Version One - Using familiar tangles
Knightbridge, Floatfest, Crescent Moon, Tipple, Munchin,
Paradox, and Lampions (seed pods), Beadlines

Version 2 - New tangles
Unyum, Spinners, Arches, and Antidots, and a little Paradox point 

Sue Clark, CZT from Colorado is the guest host for this week's Diva Challenge for Week #48. Sue asks us to create a string using three basic shapes (circle, square, and triangle). Fun brain teaser as always. These three shapes don't seem to lend themselves to the same string but it was a fun challenge. Thanks Sue!

In version one, I didn't follow the rules. I used some of my favorites: Crescent Moon, Knightsbridge, Paradox, Tipple, Floatfest (one of my faves), Beadlines, and Lampions/Seed Pods (that's what I call them). Some of my Floatfest has a little striping to mimic a BTL Joos. A busy little organic ZIA but I like the result.

In version 2 I followed Sue's suggestion and used unfamiliar tangles with one faves: Unyum, Spinners, Arches, Antidots, and a little Paradox point (had to throw one fave in). I think the results work!

As I look out and see snowflakes and think of winter, I hope this is my sun catcher for the inevitable upcoming short, grey, winter days! Grasp those little sun rays oh ZIA!

Influencing the weather has always been a dream of mine. As children we lived off the boardwalk in Long Beach, Long Island, NY. We were living in a small apartment house with my father and a hurricane was slapping the Long Island shore.

We were given strict instructions by my father when he left for work that morning to stay off the beach. But his 3 darling daughters had other ideas. It was so exciting to stand on the beach and watch the waves crashing to the shore, how could we resist?

We thought our dad would never know. So we snuck down to the beach and held hands while chanting and swinging our arms up to the heavens... "Oh King Neptune, King of the Sea..." a little ritual we thought would get rid of the big ol' storm. In the midst of our chant several waves crashed on shore soaking the 3 of us to the bone.

We were safe (no thanks to our little stunt) but sopping wet. There was no way we could sneak back before my father got home from work and clean up quickly enough to hide the drowned rat look we receive from King Neptune on our little excursion.

Needless to say, my father, was not a happy camper when he arrived home to find we had totally disregarded his warning. We didn't get out to the beach for quite a while after that, and worst of all, all our efforts hadn't stopped the hurricane!

Challenge #46: - All Hallow's Eve

Catching up on challenges. Finally scanned this one in. A few eyballs, some BTLJoos, Keekos, a few ghosties, some candy corn, and of course, a little spider join the crew, BOO!

Challenge #45 - New Tangle Punzel

I'm catching up on my challenges. The Diva in week #45 asks us to use the new tangle 'Punzel' that is a variation on 'Chaining'. Mine went a little crazy but I like the result. I need to work on Punzel but this rendition works for me as a start.

Challenge #47 - Lest We Forget

The Diva's challenge #47 asks us simply to remember. Every year vetrans sell lapel Poppies for donation.

The lapel poppies were first made in 1922 by disabled veterans. In time the Royal Canadian Legion took over the operation - and the Poppy Fund continues to support our Country's veterans.

When you create your tile or ZIA, the challenge is to remember - what this means to you. I also think of all the lapels and herring bone suits with the little red poppy decorating their lapels. Remember...

When we were kids I remember seeing the guys with the poppies and thinking how cool they were. I didn't really know what they stood for but my mom told me the men were vetrans and she bought me a poppy to wear on my coat.

My mother died in 1996 and I often think about her. When we were kids we would get an allowance of 10 cents, that tells you how long ago that was! Anyway, my sisters and I would take our big allowance and go down to the local 5 and 10 cent store when it was a special occasion, and buy my mom an "emerald ring". We didn't do this too often, only on special occasions. My mother received quite a few of those Fabulous emerald rings! She would always put the newly purchased ring on and rave about the lovely gift... tin and green glass, what more could a woman ask for? And the green smudge around her finger from the cheap little ring she wore like her badge of courage. She always said "Someday I'll get a real emerald ring!".

Many years later, on her 75th birthday, we, her 4 darling daughters, got her a real emerald ring. The ring had 4 emeralds for her 4 girls and she always wore it always. It was one of the best gifts we ever gave her. I was given that ring when she died, it is a cherished memento, and when I put that ring on, I feel close to her and I wear it as my badge of courage.

Shading and color added, a little emerald green, and it's done!