Curled

A more subdued Tierazon desktop wallpaper. The "icon space" at the side appeared magically when the fractal was created. Most convenient.

The wallpaper version is available at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Getting work close by. It was certainly interesting this morning. School A (nearby) called me first. School B (far far away) called about three minutes later. Am grateful that the call from school A came in first, as it saved me having to suffer through traffic (school B is lovely, but if they call in the morning, then its effectively too late for me to beat the traffic). School A was lovely too!

Criss Cross

Decided to play with Tierazon a while ago. Here's the result. I think the colours might be a bit bold for my taste, but at the same time, the design "works".

The wallpaper version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: My "booking agent" (aka: mum). Its amazing how often people who have booked my services through her tell me that she is a lovely person. They are right :)

Same Skin

This familiar design popped up again just begging to be rendered. Seen as its like an old friend, I could not resist.

The wallpaper version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: My one student canceled her private lesson. Usually not a cause for celebration but it gave me a much needed break in a too hectic day.

Dust Rose

Its similar to a lot of my other works, but that's OK. The colour makes a pleasant change. Its meant to give the viewer a sense of calm.

The wallpaper version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Having a spare loaf of bread in the freezer. Without it, packing my lunch in the morning would be a real challenge.

Ocean Symphony

Made with the same parameters as "Ocean Song" and a final transform.

The large version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Being almost fully recovered from a brief cold. Its great to be able to breathe again!

Ocean Song

The form and colouring of this one reminded me of a deep blue ocean meeting a verdant shore.

The wallpaper version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: That I finally figured out which of my clients' domain names needed renewing this week. I had a note to do it in my diary, only the note was written sometime ago and no longer made sense (oops). The web design / domain name thing is a "hobby" but its still important to take care of those "little" details.

Curtin Call

This one is pushing the limits a bit, but it makes for "interesting" wallpaper. Hopefully there' s enough black space to fit in all the necessary icons.

The wallpaper size version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: That its the weekend and I did not have to work today! I've got a touch of a cold which means my brain is not working properly :) Hopefully this will pass sooner rather than later (aka: I want my brain back!).

Jewel Jar

"Jewel" made from scratch in Apo. That was the easy part. Getting the rest of the image to cooperate took an insanely long time.

The wallpaper version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: A red lolly (on a stick). Long story, lovely gesture. Sugar "fix" was most welcome.

Infinity Beads

Yet another wallpaper! This one is dedicated to all of you out there who like orange / yellow. The fractal "beads" were made from scratch in Apo.

The desktop version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: My one private student came in the top 100 in this year's National Bank Mathematics Competition. This is a fairly big deal and we were both very happy with the result.

Eve of Redemption

This one was requested / inspired by Zeev. The shape of the Star of David alludes to the seventh day, the day of rest and *ultimately* redemption.

The pictures in each part of the clock depict one day of creation according to the Genesis account.

The insanely massive version (perhaps for printing???) is available at the preceding link. It might take a while to download.

Today's Gratitude Item: Two words. "Shot Miss". This is what the students say when they approve / a teacher manages to do something very right. Turns out that teachers like encouragement too.

Twisted Button

The "holes" in the middle of this one reminded me of buttons. You know the sort, the large "chunky" ones that you find on coats etc.

The large version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Integration (as in Calculus). Not only is this a convenient way to work out the "area under a curve", its also a good topic to teach. Had two classes of it at school today and one of my private students wanted to revise / learn it as well. Turns out that integration can be good for paying bills :)

Copper Causeway

Made from scratch in Apo. Was pleased with the outcome.

The large version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Equipment that works and enthusiastic students.

Dune Ripple

Made with the same parameters as "Rainbow Silk". Its amazing what a final transform and change in gradient can do.

The large version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: That double chocolate chip muffins are on special again this week. Those things are really good (in small doses of course).

Rainbow Silk

Is it just me, or are all of these pieces starting to look the same??

The wallpaper size is available at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Laughter! Today at lunch we all ended up laughing really hard. It was one of those "you had to be there" situations but it did make me realise how valuable laughter (and being able to make others laugh with you) is.

Blue Soul

This designer desktop turned out quite well. Its soft and peaceful which is how I like my workspace to be.

The wallpaper version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: That its not so dark when I get up! Realised this morning that whilst I was up reasonably early, so was the sun :)

Psychedelic Splash

This one is classic Apo, with a twist. I played with the background and transparency options in PSP to give two areas of "icon space". I quite like the result.

The wallpaper version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Tahini. That's basically ground up sesame seed and its a really important ingredient in hummus. If you leave it out, you have ground up chickpeas. If you put it in, you have heaven - homemade.

Luxury Seating

These reminded me of orange throw pillows. They are soft, comfortable and surprisingly modern. Its amazing what technology can do.

The large version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: "Challenging classes". Having students who are "high maintenance" means that you can blame them for lapses in concentration, future gray hairs and the fact that you are *slightly* crazy. That and the fact that after a week or so, I get to "give them back" to their regular teacher.

Lilac Bricks

This is my favourite in the series so far. I think the "distortion" in the middle works as it bends (but does not break) the pattern. The "icon" space is also more subtle than in previous works.

The large version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Being busy - again. Have been "booked" for the next week and a half. As always, its really nice knowing where I'll be in advance.

Home Front

This could be the front of someone's house. The geometric pattern reminded me of bricks. The best thing about this fractal is that it tiles really well.

Once again this is designed as wide screen desktop wallpaper, with place for icons on the LHS.

Today's Gratitude Item: Not getting caught in traffic this afternoon. I stayed late at school for a professional development thing (which was really fun because it involved computers) and was worried about getting stuck in rush hour traffic. Said traffic did not materialise, this is more than a gratitude item, its actually a minor miracle!

Grand Entrance

This is an Apo flame that has been tiled. Full credit for this goes to Tracey over at the Fracfan Forum for posting the hints on how to do this. Thanks T!

Download the desktop wallpaper at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Being happy. It helps that I've been booked for work tomorrow and had more downloads than expected on SS. Right now, life is good.

Brick Sun

Its a sun made of bricks! I liked the gradient and made the fractal to suit it.

The wallpaper size can be downloaded at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Silence. Its nice to be left in peace with a good book to read and no noise.

Old Gold Rotunda

Somehow, I don't seem to be getting bored with this "style". The black lines are there as "icon space" - so live a little and download this as your desktop wallpaper. You know you want to :)

Today's Gratitude Item: Considerate drivers! Some kind soul "let me in" to the traffic stream on the main road after school. They did not have to do this, but they did anyway. All too often its the little things that matter. This person will probably never know that they made a difference, but I'm grateful all the same.

Hot Desk

This one looks like a hot plate - on high! Its made as desktop wallpaper with "blank" space on the LHS for icons.

Today's Gratitude Item: Making it home before my private student arrived. Was worried that today would be a bit dicey due to traffic issues.

Got Cash?

This guy may not be golden, but at least he's rich!

The large version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Chocolate *again*. Mainly because it makes a great "peace offering" / social lubricant.

Sliding

Presenting yet another option for desktop wallpaper. Its called "sliding" because it reminds me of sliding doors being opened (or shut).

Today's Gratitude Item: Getting to bed around an hour early. This is mainly because I need to get up an hour early, but actually getting everything done "on schedule" is certainly a reason for gratitude.

Ice Dawn

Post transforms are a wonderful thing! Took a very long time to get this "just right". The good thing about being an adult is that, when necessary, you can stay up for as long as you want to :)

The wallpaper size version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Making traditional bagels at home! This involved making the dough, letting it rise, shaping the bagels (the fun bit), letting them "proof", boiling them (very briefly) and then putting them in the oven for about half an hour. The results tasted very good indeed.

Oasis

Took forever to find a gradient that "worked". This is often the case with this kind of textured fractal. Was pleased with the final outcome although it does look suspiciously similar to some of my earlier works. At least this one is made for wide screen desktops.

The wallpaper size version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: A lovely little volume called Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson - from the library of course.

Africa 360

I'm addicted to this style of fractal at the moment. I think its because of the detailed textures. This one reminded me of the time spent in the Kruger Park. As a kid, it was my favourite place to go on vacation. Its probably one of the only things that I really, really miss about South Africa!

The wallpaper version is available at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: That our microwave can do "double duty" as a convection oven! This means that I could make my lunch without having to interrupt the cinnamon buns "proofing" in the oven (on very low).

Angry Man

Sometimes Golden guy gets really, really annoyed. When he is, you don't want to get in his way! This would make a great illustration for our new "anti-smacking" legislation!

The large version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Great morning tea (thanks Science department) and fine weather at lunch time (had playground duty).

European Union

Its not quite the European Union flag, but its close enough. The traditional golden stars have been replaced with copies of Golden Guy!

The large version can be found at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: That my graphing calculator can be used to find definite integrals. Its calculus, the quick,easy and pain free way. Who said Mathematics was not fun :)

Holiday Plan

If anyone asks, here is my answer!

Just add water, palm trees, sun and the ocean. For the record, holidays are quite some time away - but it pays to be prepared :)

The large version is at the preceding link.

Today's Gratitude Item: Fast food - as in food that can be quickly prepared and eaten "on the run". My personal favourite is the humble slice of toast.