Weekly Challenge #237

Good Monday Morning everyone!!

Thank you for all your well wishes this week.  Artoo and I are both feeling much better.  Artoo was quite happy to go back to school this week and see all his friends.

HELLO!!

 We're far from PERFECTLY healthy, coughing colds always linger long with this one, but everyone is sleeping again, so that's a big perk.

one of these things is not like the other

The weather has been gorgeous, thankfully, and so we've been spending as much time outside as we can before the snow inevitably falls.

 Someone's been eating Grandpa's jam

Chewie made me this adorable Lego Garden.

B-rad has been working so hard at Casa Diva, trying to finish up the last of the projects.  He had some 'helpers' this weekend as he did some more work on the new tool shed. 

Artoo was so proud of his shed "thing" that he "made" out of some 2x4s and dad's drill (with help, obviously)
Handyman in the making.
Also, hilariously, Chewie is posing to look like he's having a very in depth discussion with his dad.
He's funny. 

It kinda feels like there's always another 'thing' to get done before winter... so much yard work.  But then, we did stop for a few minutes when Chewie discovered a colony of ladybugs.

so many ladybugs

In the spring when i was gearing up for my summer off, i put out a call to my fellow CZTs to guest my blog.  We all remember how fantastic the summer of guest posts were!

To my surprise, many people offered up their services, more people than i had weeks to fill.  I felt bad turning these generous souls away - So, i thought maybe we'd be able to do one guest post a month!

today we're going to have the first such guest post from Charlotte Carpentier, who was super lovely and patient when my computer decided to be annoying, and resent her post. (Thank you thank you!)  

So without further ado:

Weekly Challenge #237: "Guest Post - Charlotte Carpentier, CZT"

So…here I am. This is my first time being a guest blogger for our darling Diva, and I am really excited!

I am Charlotte Carpentier, CZT, from CharKat’s Creative Insanity, in Temecula, California. And I like to paint/dye/color/spray my strings!

What the heck? you ask…well, here is the skinny on it. I am a bit…stringaphobic. I tend to feel a little confined at times, so having a hint, even lightly, of something provides enough string and interest for me most of the time.

(Before and after, Morrocan Tile Stencil, water crayons)

Lately, my go to has been some hibiscus tea (brewed, of course) in a spray bottle, and a stencil. I like stencils from The Crafter’s Workshop, because they tend to look a bit tangle-y to me, but any old thing will do. You can even cut paper (remember the snowflakes you used to make as a kid?) You can dab or sponge through the stencil if you don’t have a spray bottle, and I find espresso and wine also work very well (whatever you have on hand! And then, you tangle. Sometimes simple is great, and very mindful.

(Various sprays I have on hand, including hibiscus tea in the Tombow Blending Mister, and an empty spray bottle from the “Good Night Kit” from Crowne Plaza hotels.)

(Stencil assortment)

(Dyed tiles, clockwise from the stars, hibiscus tea and gold pearl mist, walnut distressing spray, hibiscus tea on cold press water color paper, and on hot press water color paper and espresso on Renaissance Tan Zendala.)

So, this is my proposal to you. Find something to use for a stencil, gather your dye and spray, sponge, Q-Tip, etc. and make yourself a string. Revel in the discovery that different natural dyes, like wine or hibiscus tea, will look different on different papers. Then tangle them. You can even stay inside the lines if you like or go completely outside!

I am Charlotte Carpentier, CZT. I am an eclectic person of many talents. Over the course of my life, I have explored a variety of cultures and careers, but all of them have had one thing in common. They all center around people and improving their lives, whether it is through art therapy, stress management, delivering instruction, or emerging technologies, it is all about the people.

I am a graduate of California State University - San Marcos, with a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology. I am also a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, with a Bachelor's Degree in Vocational Education Studies. I have completed Graduate Studies in both Project Management and Public Health.

I am a Veteran of the United States Army (retired.) I served during Both the first Gulf War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I am also a Certified Zentangle Teacher. I specialize in teaching Zentangle in individual and group settings, with an emphasis on the mindful state of meditation.

I am currently the proprietor of CharKat’s Creative Insanity, in Temecula, California, where I offer a variety of instruction on Zentangle, Zentangle Inspired Art, and whatever else seems to peak my curiosity at the time. 

Make Stuff…You Will Feel Better.

Thanks Charlotte!!!

Have fun everyone and have a great week.

Love Laura

If you have a blog, add the site-specific URL where your tile is posted to the linkey machine below! Don't forget to link back here so that others can join in the fun! (if you don't know how to find this, you can see my half assed tutorial here) Also, please feel free to come back often and visit the links of those people on the linkey machine - don't forget to leave a comment or feedback, everyone loves feedback. ;) 

If you have a blog or host your images on line (like on Flickr or Picassa or Pinterest), add the site-specific URL where your tile is posted to the linkey machine below! Don't forget to link back here so that others can join in the fun! (if you don't know how to find this, you can see my half assed tutorial here) Also, please feel free to come back often and visit the links of those people on the linkey machine - don't forget to leave a comment or feedback, everyone loves feedback. ;)