11/1/13

Name Madala

Things may have seemed normal here on the blog for the past four weeks, but that is only because I am able to schedule posts in advance. In reality, almost every post that ran during October (and a few that will run in November) was written in September. During the first part of October, I spent pretty much every minute working ahead in my three jobs and preparing for an epic trip.

Each year, my parents take our family and my sister's family on a vacation, usually in the fall and usually to Disneyland. For years, my nephew has been hoping to visit Disney World someday. So for his 13th birthday, they not only took all of us to Florida for a week at Disney World, but then treated us all to a Disney cruise. Thanks Mom and Dad!

As always, I packed along some art supplies on vacation: plain paper, a drawing pencil, a Sharpie, colored pencils, and a pencil sharpener. I had high hopes that I'd be able to spend some time drawing and relaxing, especially on the cruise. That turned out not to be the case. In fact, the only creative project I did was to make a Name Mandala on the second leg of our flight, Phoenix to Orlando. I've seen this project many places. I like the step-by-step directions you can find at Art Lessons From Belgium.  

I cut and folded my paper ahead of time so that TSA wouldn't steal my scissors. Then I sketched my name into the first wedge.

 
I used the airplane window to trace my name into all of the other wedges. Not easy with the tiny window, limited space, and airplane movement. 

 
Then I started coloring.  

 
I had to keep stopping to supervise the Language Arts homework going on to my left.

 
Here's the view to my right.

 
And here is my finished Name Mandala. I don't think anyone would know it says Cindy just by looking at it, which is part of what I love about this and all other name art.  
 
About 5 minutes after I finished the mandala, the captain announced that we were entering 'some weather.' Oh my gosh. We spent the next three hours bouncing and pitching with me clutching my airsickness bag. It was absolute torture. I have never been so glad to be on the ground as I was when we landed in Orlando. That flight was so rough that I spent the next two weeks thinking of ways to get back from Orlando to Sacramento that did not involve ever getting on an airplane again. Unfortunately, none of them were feasible and I did board that airplane home. Barely. I was so anxious and so upset. Fortunately, both that leg and the next were ok and we were back in Sacramento about 11 hours after arriving at the Orlando airport. It's going to be a long time before I voluntarily board an airplane again.

Anyway, other than the flight, we had a wonderful trip. The time with my parents, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew was great and I feel so blessed to have had such quality family time. Now I'm struggling to get caught up with everything post-vacation. I'd love to drop everything and have some quality time in the scraproom. I've really missed my creative time.

8 comments:

  1. Glad you made it home safely!! :) Gorgeous pic out the airplane window, too!
    It's always so nice to go on vacation, but it usually takes me a bit to get back into the groove of things! Have a great weekend!

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  2. I used to love flying until my last plane trip, to Hawaii, a couple of years ago!
    The flight wasn't bad but for some reason I was just not able to stomach being up in the air or the minor turbalence! I'm worried that I may avoid future trips in order to not have to step foot on an airplane!
    Glad you made it home in one piece and had a great time w/ your family!

    Madison made a Name Mandala in school a couple of years ago for Father's Day.
    So, instead of her name, it said "raddy", her silly nickname for her "daddy"...long story! LOL! Hers was square and mounted on a larger square of black paper so that it appeared framed. I love your circle verison; it kinda resembles a flower!

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  3. I have had more than a few bumpy flights.... it's the time of year. I'm glad you made there and back safe and sound! I love your artwork and it's great to take a break sometimes.... you come back even stronger than before!! Can't wait to see some pics and hear stories about your trip -- so awesome!! :)

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  4. Terrific project. I love how it turned out. The colors you picked were just great. Made the piece have a stained art look. It was so fun to see your post and tell that you were indeed on an airplane. :) What a view out the window. How wonderful to have such a vacation as that, bumpy plane ride and all.

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  5. I love your project!

    That's the reason I won't fly. I'm a big chicken and there's no way you could've gotten me on the plane to get home.

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  6. The mandala looks cool. I can see some letters but I wouldn't have known it if you hadn't have let us know it was based on your name. Glad you got back safe and sound.

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  7. So sorry you had a bad flight!!! Loving the photos!!!

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  8. So happy you had a wonderful trip, Cindy. Sorry that the flight wasn't good. I love how you brought creative things to do on the flight. I am glad that your flight home was much better.

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