Zendala Dare #3

If you haven't joined in on the Zendala Dare over at The Bright Owl, check it out.  A new dare is posted every Friday, with a template all ready to fill in with tangles of your choice.  Here is my contribution to Dare #3:

Challenge #67 Amanda Day

This week's challenge from The Diva is to use the prompt of the earth for "Earth Day".  Renamed by her son, Chewie, as Amanda Day. 

 I decided to use one of the blank Zendala tiles for this challenge because of the round shape and I love the bigger size.  As I was sitting there looking at the tile, I knew I wanted to use Verdigogh, because it more than any other tangle, is earthy to me.  At the same time, I didn't want to think symmetrical, balance, and everything that goes into making a Zendala, at that moment.  We all know one of the cool things about Zentangle is that there is no planning or preconceived idea of what you are going to draw.  Just make the tangles and let it unfold before you.  So that's what I did...I drew the Verdigogh first, then used a brown pen to draw 'Nzeppel around the outside.  Then I thought my tile looked very dark (almost post apocalyptic) and that is so not me....I am a glass is half full, upbeat, positive person, so I set the tile aside and though I'd do another later.

Yesterday, I took a ride up into the foothills with my husband, Doug.  He was gathering up so rocks to use in a landscape project he was doing in the backyard and I am always up for a ride in the mountains.  As he was loading rocks (this was an area that was dug up by the city and was okay to remove rocks from) it started to drizzle and I was looking at the trees and thought about how some trees seem to grow right out of the rock with very little soil or moisture.  Well, when I returned and took a second look at my tile, I knew that it needed color to come back to life.  While I am not very good or experienced with color, I gave it a try.  I used colored pencils to fill in Verdigogh and shade 'Nzeppel.  It needed more color, so I added a string of Poke Root and colored it (no idea what color Poke Root really is).  Now I feel like my tile is alive again!  Happy Day, Mother Earth!

Zendala Dare #2

This is my entry for the Zendala Dare #2 over at The Bright Owl....

Tangled Highlights

If only we could get.....tangled highlights!

Challenge #66 Laura's Auras

This week the DIVA, Laura Harms has us using one of the tangle enhancer techniques of creating an aura.  There are many different tangle patterns that use auras both outside a shape and inside a shape.  Adding auras are an easy way to add some drama to your tangle and add to the dimension of your tile. 

When I was in CZT class I created a tangle called Cheers (see instructions here).  This tangle is just 4 corners, 4 arcs, and a lot of auras.  I used Cheers, Crescent Moon, Opus, and Poke Root and created auras on each. 

Thanks, Laura for another fun challenge!

Get your Zendala Zen on!

Zendala'a are popping up everywhere these days, as they should be with the release of the new Zendala Sets from Zentangle. (See my earlier post here ) I am seeing some beautiful Zendala's on blogs, Facebook, Flickr, etc.  So, if you haven't been in the Zendala Zen yet...what are you waiting for! 
I got into the Zendala Zen this weekend, and I can tell you it's a wonderful place to be!  It was extra special because I also opened a new pen....I know I am totally a Zentangle geek, but it's a thrill for me to open and work with a new pen.....and on a Zendala tile....heaven!!!

Last Friday, Erin at The Bright Owl Blog introduced a new Zendala Dare.  Each Friday she will be posting a new Zendala template (in 3 wonderful sizes) for us to use, post, and link to her blog.  Also, as a kick-off she is giving a away a Zendala Tile Set!!!  Without further adieu, here is my entry for the 1st Zendala Dare:

While I was in the Zendala zen, I did my 2nd pre-strung Zendala tile:

Wooden Treasures

I love tangling on wood!  I found this tray last summer at a garage sale for $1.00, and just knew that it had to be tangled.  Doug removed the old stain, I tangled (using the Sakura IDenti® Pen and sold at Zentangle®) and he applied a couple of fresh coats of polyurethane...teamwork :).  It was hard to get a good photo, so you'll just have to trust me that it looks great in person.  I hope you find some good treasures this summer at garage sales to tangle! 

Challenge #65 Huggy Bear

The first week of the month brings us the UMT (Use My Tangle) feature over at I AM THE DIVA'S blog and is part of the weekly challenges.  This week's challenge is to try the tangle, Huggy Bear (a play on the official tangle Huggins), by JJ LaBarbera.  This tangle is pretty easy and has lots of room for variation.  I tried it with two variations in my tile.  Thanks JJ and Laura!