The world isn't such a sweet place today

News of the bombings at the Boston Marathon bring sadness at the state of a world where people plan to kill other innocent people. Prayers go out to the families of the dead and to the victims of yet another senseless tragedy.

Ship Canal blossoms: Seattle Spring

I was lucky enough to take a walk in the sun today.

Zentangle aka advanced doodling

My new discovery is Zentangle or Zendoodling as some call it. It was invented by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and it's really easy to pick up. You create cool patterns by using repetition and line. It is also really easy to get addicted too! But sort of a healthier addiction because it's art. My problem is once I start I don't want to stop...or go to bed. If you want to learn more the website is here: http://www.zentangle.com/

Here are a few of my zentangles....

In Praise of Idleness

I love this article printed in the New York Times. Read it!

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/the-busy-trap/

Life is too short to be busy.

Freestyle embroidery

I took some cotton fabric, needles and embroidery floss with me to Mexico to practice handwork. I didn't use a pattern, just played with colors and shapes. I started with the palm tree, then waves and sun. I was inspired by the colors I was seeing and also the shapes of fruit in the market so I began stitching some freeform circles and oval shapes. I call it "doodling with thread".  This was a great project for airplanes and the beach. It doesn't take up much room and the whole deal fits easily in a purse or beach bag. So fun! I want to continue now that I'm home.

Muy Bueno Bucerias

I moved from Puerto Vallarta to Bucerias yesterday. It is a much slower pace and I am settling in. I like it here. Esta muy tranquilo! There is a fabulous, long beach with waves and surfers... food is great too.

The colors of Mexico

Hola! I'm in sunny Mexico where blue skies and sunshine are plentiful. This is a nice switch for a Seattle girl used to gray on gray. I spent a week in Puerto Vallarta and wandered the streets taking pictures. I also enjoyed some really good food which I'll tell you about in coming posts. Today I headed north to the small town of Bucerias. It has miles of unspoiled beaches and big waves with surfers. I'm having a hard time getting used to the lazy pace here after frenetic PV. A few days here will slow me down.

Designing a poster

I'm working on a poster for an art fair in the midwest. One of the requirements is that it has to have a goat on it. Here are a few of my ideas so far...I will have to add more text and details of the event but now I am in the experimentation phase. All images Copyright Diane Tchakirides