Challenge 50 - Biggify

Another interesting challenge from Laura Harms (I Am The Diva) this week.  Work on the same size tile or paper you normally use, but biggify your tangles.  When I teach tangles, I draw the tangles big, but it's always on a big sheet of paper.  This was kind of fun to do big tangles on a tile (3.5 x 3.5).   Thanks Laura, for another good challenge.

Christmas Ornaments

I found these ceramic ornaments at Hobby Lobby and couldn't resist tangling on them.  I added some fun ribbon and this is how I spent black Friday.  So much better than shopping...at least for me!

Challenge #49 "Red Thread Challenge"

This week's DIVA challenge is brought to us by Cris Letournea, CZT at Tangled Up In Art.    Cris is helping a wonderful organization called The Red Thread Promise.   Take a look at their blog to see all the great work they do.  Cris is going to collect our tiles to be auctioned off as a fundraiser and make them into a poster for sale with proceeds used for their mission.  Both great ideas!   Thanks Cris, for organizing this and allowing us to participate in this worthy cause.  Looking forward to seeing and purchasing the poster!  My tiles are on their way. 

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break." -Chinese proverb



Challenge 48 -Tri Shapes

I want to thank Laura Harms, at I Am The Diva blog for graciously letting me host the challenge this week.  I don't always have the time to look at everyone's entries so it was a lot of fun to read your comments and visit all of you blogs to see your beautiful work this week.  I tried to leave a comment on all of your blogs, and apologize if I missed anyone. 

It was interesting to see how we all like and dislike different things, including myself.  Some found the string hard, some loved it.  Some found trying new tangles hard, some loved it.  It's hard for me to step outside of my comfort zone and try new tangles too, but I have found some tangles I really love by doing that and hope some of you did too. 

Thanks again, Laura, for challenging us each week to try new things and helping us all grow with the art of Zentangle!

(I am posting my tile that you've see already on Laura's blog just for a record on my blog)

Tangles:  Zuan Shi, Sanibelle, Gloven, Amaze, Krli-Q's, Rosé

What's In A Name

The first thing that drew me to Zentangle was the name.  A friend of mine who is a quilter mentioned it on one of her blog posts here back in June 2009 and I had to check it out.  This of course was before I knew anything about the world of blogging, and hers was the only one I checked out from time to time to see what my good friend from high school was up to.  I am so glad I saw that post because Zentangle has changed so much in my life...all good and wonderful!  When teaching Zentangle classes or doing a display/demo table for art on the town night, I often hear people say "Zentangle...what is that, or I love the name".  After you learn what it is and the more you do it, you realize how perfect the name is. 

The same goes for tangle pattern names.  I love to see the explosion of new tangle patterns and sometimes the inventor tells how it was named.  When they don't it's fun to guess how they came up with the name. Some obvious and some you never figure out.  I am sure some have no relation to the tangle at all. One of the latest official tangles from Rick & Maria is PUNZEL and I am guessing the name came from the classic tale of Rapunzel.  The tangle itself looks like long braided hair.  I love this tangle and had to play with it some more over the weekend.

Speaking of names...a little side story.  We were in Idado in Sept visiting my 89 year old father-in-law, Kermit.  I have made some tiles for him and for his lady friend Wanda in the past.  They have been fascinated with it and love to see the pictures on my Ipad, since neither of them has a computer.  One day when meeting a neighbor of his, he started to tell her about what I do and couldn't think of the name Zentangle, so he said to me "tell her about, oh you know, I can't think of what it's called, but it's that scribbling you do".   Even though I don't like when people say Zentangle is just doodling (because they don't understand or take the time to learn), somehow when an 89 year man who I have nothing but great respect for called it scribbling (first word he could think of) it made me smile....and it still does. :)

11-11-11

A call was put out for all CZT's to create a tile today on 11-11-11 @ 11:11.  If a lot of people are creative and meditate through tangling, we could send a lot of positive energy out into the world.  It was also suggested that we send some positive thoughts to Rick Roberts (co-founder of Zentangle) and his family since Rick lost his mother this past week.  I played Rick's CD of wonderful flute music while I tangled and sent all of those in Zentangleland good thoughts!

Challenge #47/"Lest We Forget"

This weeks challenge from Laura Harms, which you can read about here, is to simply remember.  In Canada, where she is from they celebrate Remembrance Day on Nov 11, just as we in the USA celebrate Veteran's Day.  The cadets hand out lapel poppies for donation. The idea of the lapel poppy is pretty neat - based on the Poem "In Flanders Field" written by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

What a beautiful and very touching poem!  It is important to have days where we honor those who are no longer physically with us.  Especially those veterans who have fought with the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.  I've lost a lot of very special people in my life, as I am sure that many of you have, and their memories are very dear to my heart. 

Challenge #46 "All Hallow's Eve"

Since Monday was Halloween, the challenge this week was to create a spooky tile.  I have a half moon window in my living room that I hang bats in every year for Halloween, so that was my inspiration.  The black tiles, white gel pen, and white charcoal pencil were a must for this one.  Another fun challenge!

The DIVA'S Big Giveaway!

The DIVA rocks again!  That's right, now along with the weekly challenges that we have all come to love, she is celebrating her blog going over 200,000 hits!  Whether you are new to Zentangle or have been around for some time you can get in on this giveaway, click HERE for all the information on entering.  Who is this Diva anyway?  She is Laura Harms, a CZT (certified zentangle teacher) in Canada.  She has been giving us a weekly challenge for 46 weeks now.  Anyone can join in on the challenges.  There are no judges, no prizes, no pressure...just a challenge to yourself as a tangler to try something new (a new pattern, a new string, a theme, etc.) and have some fun.  She puts together a slide show of all the entries each week, which is really fun and inspirational to view.  So check out her blog and join in on the weekly fun, you will be glad you did.  Also, this is one giveaway you don't want to miss!  Congratulations, Laura!