Writing Challenge of July, 2014

So...guess who just hit seventy followers?

I thank each and every one of them. ♥♥♥ I'm thrilled. Although I used to have over 140 on my other blog...I'm still glad that I moved blogs. A lot of things worked when they hadn't before.

Now. I remember my promise. I said I'd create a writing challenge when I got to seventy followers, and so, here it is.

Anyone of any age can enter, I'd love it if everyone of my followers entered, but, sadly, I know that won't happen.

Here are the guidelines (there is no prize but glory and congratulations, sorry):

1. You can write anything, really; a chapter, a poem, a haiku, a short story, a song, even a quote (of your own, of course) if you like. A devotion is also acceptable.

2. All entries must be in before or on Wednesday the 30th of July, 2014. But after the 30th, I won't be taking anymore entries.

3. I'll announce the winner and the runner up (second place) on Thursday the 31st of June.

4. I'll be choosing the winner, which means, no random selection, and no poll.

5. Have fun. Be creative. Let your (as some people say) inner self flow. I hope that if you do enter, you enjoy writing for this challenge.

6. You are welcome to use a picture of your own or from Pinterest, as long as you give credit and link back.
8. To enter, post your link in a comment. (The link of the post that contains your entry, on your blog)

Oh, and, maybe you wouldn't mind putting the button below on your sidebar (if you're entering)? I would so love it if you did.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://tangerinetane.blogspot.com/2014/07/writing-challenge-of-july-2014.html" title="Fifth out of Ten Writing Challenge" target="_blank"><img src="http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab220/TangerineTane/fifthoutoftenwritingchallengebutton_zpsa1e9c505.jpg" alt="Fifth out of Ten Writing Challenge" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

You can also get the code from my sidebar.

Thank you so much for reading this. I can't wait to (hopefully) receive entries...

// EDIT //
The entries so far:

You Were There + by Jemma
Melody's Entry
Her Soul Was Alight + by Madeline
Bethan's Entry
Eve's Entry
Jollygirl's Entry
Azia's Entry
and
Ghostcaller's Entry

the real you

via

I look into your eyes, I can see your disguise. And I can tell, oh, oh, oh, you don’t want me to know. No, no, no…

You don’t want me to know, to ever know the real you. You don’t want to tell me, all you’ve been through. But I want you to know, you can share them with me, all of those secrets you keep, all those things that hurt badly, things that keep you from sleep.

You don’t feel worth the effort, of me listening to you, about all those things that hurt.
But what you don’t know, is that I do want to know. I want to know you. I promise you’re worth that, and so much more. You should tell your story, let it out and let it be.

I look into those eyes, and see that disguise. I know you put on your smile and tell yourself to hold on a while. But past all your braveness, you’re even more precious. 

Sometimes, when you let down your guard, I can see through the mask, and I see the broken sadness inside.

And I know how it is, I've been through pain too. But you don’t have to hide anymore, not from me, I want to know the real you.
Beautiful, real, you...

///

It might be poetry, because I did rhyme here and there, but it might not be. Let's call it a story. A story that happens all the time in the world, someone hiding their true self. Don't do it...we make mistakes, and we learn, and by the glory of God, we are forgiven. Let people know that you have also been damaged (even if it's albeit a little) in life, but you have been healed and loved by your Father in heaven. Let people know the real you, for who you are, who God has been forming you to be - and most of all, let them know that this is not it, this is not the finished product. God is working on you and with you.

We all still have a long way to go. Don't fake being someone else all the way.

 For me, it is the person I am through God that I want to show. That is who I want to be the real me.

And I encourage you to be the real you.

Warrior

via // another one I want to use for my photo challenge

Energy sweeps through her body
The wind runs through her golden hair
She stands on the hill for all to see
For all who want to look up and stare

Her sea green eyes are alight with a glow
Her pale skin looks white against the grey sky
She stands steady in the deep snow

She's different and only a few know why

And oh, it's the presence of a fiery soul
One that doesn't give up in this dark cold world
Oh, it's the presence of a warrior soul
She has been hurt, she has been whirled

In the crazy tornado called life

Yes she has been wrong, she has lied
But He saved her and now she's stronger than before

She is only for Him inside and outside

Since He picked her up off the cold hard floor

And I can tell you who she is
She is a warrior
She is living for him, she is His
 Alive for her savior

She's been through some hard times
But she decided she didn't want to let that get in her way
She's been through some bad times
But when she felt like giving up, she told herself to stay

And she's not going to stop
He is in her and will take their breath away
With her story as the backdrop
His love shouts from within her everyday

She is a warrior
Living for her savior
She has Him as her leader
And she is a warrior

///

a poem I wrote, about some people I know. I can see God's love shining through them, so this is dedicated to them.


^ that might have had something to do with inspiring me to write this as well. I found it on Pinterest.
{via}
oh, and, happy 4th of July to all my American friends.

Update on My Artwork

Hi. ♥ So, I've realized that I have barely posted any patterns, illustrations or digital artworks of mine on my blog. Okay, turn that barely into a never.
The reason why I haven't started designing quite a few blogs (sorry, guys! will get busy designing them as soon as possible), is because I also have to upload my artwork on other websites, not to mention format them as products (iPhone & Samsung Galaxy cases, pillows, tote bags, stickers, etc). I really spend a lot of time on the internet. But not all of it goes to blogging...here's what I've been doing in the time that I'm on the computer, but not on Blogger.

   

Pineapple pop art patterns, two color versions.

   

Mandala flowers...or...I actually don't know what they're called. But, out of these two, which colorway do you prefer? I like the left colorway, royal blue, teal, mint & purple. But the colors on the right, hot pink, turquoise & teal, are refreshing, and bright springy colors.

   

To the left, a simple daisy pattern - and to the right, a pattern I had a lot of fun with; unicorn and rainbow pattern. :)

   

Chevron designs.

   

Yes, even a little TFIOS fan art. (Both quotes from the book, "The Fault In our Stars" ★★★

To finish off, a blue paisley heart. ♥

Now you know what I've been doing in my spare computer time. ;) I love doing what I do, so much...

Do you have a favorite? I'd love to know which artwork you enjoyed most.

Note: all artworks belong to me, and were created by me. Please don't use without asking, or steal-- I'm not saying you would want to, just asking you to respect rights. ☺

Challenging myself to take more photos...

I've realized that I have not been posting a lot of photos lately, or, not my own photos. And I was looking at two of my boards on Pinterest today, (here, and here), admiring the amazing ideas and photography, when I decided what I'd challenge myself to do...

...here's an example.

On my Beautiful Inspiration board, I had pinned this:

My thoughts when I see pictures like this and others similar, are: Oh my goodness, so beautiful, wish I could take pics like that.
Then it occurred to me, and don't laugh because it took awhile (I can be so slow). I can take pics like that (or similar). So, I have challenged myself to do a blog post with every week with a picture I was inspired by (from Pinterest) and a picture that I take, my own pic.
For this week, the inspiration is the pic above. Here, below, is the inspired pic, my own pic.

So...what do you think? Those birds swoop around our house often, and make spirals in the air, working together. They are amazing.
The mountains in the background are called the Hottentots Hollands here in Somerset-West, South Africa, and are a part of our view. I took this picture this morning, on our veranda, with my iPhone 4S. Then, I sent it to myself, and edited it in Photoshop CS2. 

Here is the pic that has only been edited by my iPhone:

It was a lot of fun, arranging this challenge for myself. It's going to be even more fun, going through with it. I'll take inspirational photos from my board, and try and shoot one similar, but with my own photographer skills. I don't think I'll push myself to get it 'exactly' the same, just try and make it similar. 

Wish me luck, and remind me to get it done every week! I think I'll call it my Inspirational Photo Challenge, so, if you're interested to follow me as I do it, just look for the post titles that say something like that.

P.S. I don't know how long I will be doing this for...I might stop abruptly, and then continue after awhile...I just want to try it, and so I will. ♥♥♥