Saturday, May 30, 2020

Mia's Mandala Challenge


I wasn't sure I was going to finish the mandala I chose in time.  It took me over four days to complete it.  That's why you see this as my first image today, since I really didn't have time to place it on my right sidebar.

I thought I was picking the easiest of the mandalas, but it turns out, I think I got the hardest, since no one else has used mandala # 8.  

For this mandala, I pulled every blue and green pen I owned to use on this.  Much to my chagrin, one day I wasn't using my Ott full spectrum light and grabbed the wrong pen and colored one of the segments before I realized I had not used the proper pen.  After that, I left the pen I was using on the drawing so there would be no question as to which pen I needed to use.

It didn't help much, though, because I ran out of ink in the pen I originally used.  Thankfully, I was able to use the same pen I had accidentally used to finish out the circle.  Sadly, by that time several of my pens were dry and I felt I had to stop.

I decided to fussy cut the mandala, back it with turquoise and midnight blue, and use it as the cover of my monthly calendar.  It fits nicely inside the sleeve of the 3 ring binder I chose for my calendar, too.

Thanks for the challenge, Mia.  Now all I need is a hand massage (grin).  I know this is relaxing to most people, but to me it is very stressful, since I tend to grip any and every pen too tight, which in turn, cramps my hand.  Regardless, I wanted to honor Mia and congratulate her on her 3rd Blogaversary.  You are the best hostess, dear.

17 thoughtful remarks:

Iris Flavia said...

Booo ;-)
We went to Burgerista yesterday and it was awful!
They had good burgers but, ewwww, no more and then I run into your sign - burp!
It was not totally - burp - bad but.... burp!

I so long for a good burger!

It´s a beautiful mandala, oh, I have some to finish, also.
I used to do it on the swing. I should resume this.

Valerie-Jael said...

Your mandala turned out so well. I am not a fan of colouring mandalas, I always find it very stressful and not at all relaxing, so I just don't do it! Well done on getting yours finished. Valerie

aussie aNNie said...

Not a fan of mandalas but you have coloured this one so nicely.xx

Bertiebo said...

When I was still working as a teacher, I often started the day with a mandala. Restful, calming. I love your mandala

Mia said...

Oh Elizabeth, I love mandalas! It is very relaxing coloring them. And, of course, we can only color parts of them, if we want. I think that the different blues you added are a great touch and I am very happy to see you use it as the cover of your monthly calendar. Thank you so much for participating in my blogaversary, my dear friend. I feel honoured and soooo glad to see your lovely creation. I send you many many kisses and a BIG hug!

kathyinozarks said...

Looks great Elizabeth-this was difficult for me too, not relaxing for me either to color in a mandala but I wanted to join in with Mia as well. I had the same issue one of my ink pens ran out of ink-I ended up using another blue to finish one of the patterns going around.

Barbara said...

Beautiful and precise, tedious work! I can only imagine how your hand needs a massage. I don’t own even one colored marker. 😆

CJ Kennedy said...

Well done. The mandala makes a really nice cover design.

Nancy said...

Oh, how I love mandalas! You did a great job with yours and I like the colors you chose (even though some didn't want to play well and dried out). Somehow, they always take longer than I think they will to complete. But glad you posted yours.

pearshapedcrafting said...

I love the colours you have used! You clearly have more patience than I - I'm not sitting for long at a time these days. Hugs, Chrisx

DVArtist said...

I can see the time you put into this and it is worth it. The is stunning.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Just popping back to saY how much last Sunday's post cheered me up! Left you some comments back as far as then! Thank You Dear!! Chrisx

My name is Erika. said...

I totally got behind and never did this. And I wanted to. So I think yours looks wonderful. I like this one, and I like coloring. But I know not everyone likes to color. I did enjoy seeing yours though. It is beautifully done. Hugs-Erika

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Mia's Mandala's are fabulous but I understand they are sometimes not as mindful to colour as we would like them too be. They definitely need a lot of concentration, I always seem to muddle up the colours then it puts me off continuing, you did a grand job even with your pens misbehaving.
Hope you are well now Elizabeth, i've had problems with comp updates since Wednesday then this new blogger.. just hoping I can figure it all out.
You take care and i'll catch up with you during the week Hugs Tracey xx

Caty said...

Your mandala is fantastic Elizabeth !! I loove the so pretty blue colours you have chosen. Your calendar will be gorgeous with it.
Have a great week
Big hugs, Caty

Divers and Sundry said...

I used to find coloring these meditative :) I haven't done one in so long I can't remember when it was. Decades. Many decades. That one is a nice design, and I like the colors you chose.

Jeanie said...

The mandala is quite beautiful. I should think doing this wuold be rather a zen feeling.