Challenge #68 Duo Tangle Hibred & Strircles

Yay! Another duo tangle challenge from Laura at I Am The Diva this week.  I love the duo tangle challenges! 

As Laura so eloquently says "When you are limited you find creativity in unexpected places, and to me - that is the essence of Zentangle. Finding that beauty, that spark - in a place you weren't expecting, because there is no plan. What a wonderful piece of joy that is".

Thanks, Laura for another fun challenge!

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!

Zendala Tiles

The long awaited Zendala tiles have arrived and they are wonderful!  They come in a beautiful round tin and are the same lovely paper as the square tiles, but bigger (about 4-5/8 diameter).  Each set contains 18 prestrung tiles (2 sets of 9 different strings) and 3 blank tiles, 21 tiles in all.  Through the end of April, you can only order them through a CZT.  They sell for $24.95.  Call me soon, if you'd like a set....you will be so happy you did! 

Challenge #64 Fortuneteller

 

This week's DIVA challenge is another in the "string theory" series. Everyone is to use the same string, using 8 special right triangles.  Read about the challenge HERE.  Laura named this challenge the fortuneteller because it reminded her of the paper fortunetellers we made as kids...fun memory!   Normally, in Zentangle you make your string in pencil and it disappears after you tangle.  For this challenge, I made my string in pen and shaded on the outside of the string to make it stand out.  I tried out some new tangles along with some oldies that I hadn't used in awhile.  I think it looks like a tangle sampler. 



Lokomotive, Tulips, Arckles, Paradox, Fungees, Kandysnake with aura, DL Sunray, Pinwheels

Challenge #63 Fengle

The DIVA's challenge this week is to use the new official tangle, FENGLE.  True to Zentangle's style, it looks complicated, but when you know the steps it's not.  You can find the instructions here.  I started out with a tile and wanted to do more.  I am really behind on Carole Ohl's, Tangle-a-day calendar, so this was the perfect opportunity to complete a page of Fengle's and celebrate the 1st day of spring....Fengletastic! 

Tangled Palm

Wrapping up my beach series with a palm tree that I sent to my friends, Sonia & John as a "Thank You" for their hospitality.  Since I don't live anywhere near the ocean, it was a delight to be inspired by all the palm trees there on Padre Island. 

Challenge #62 Spiral & Paradox

This week's DIVA challenge is brought to us by Marizaan van Beek/CZT from South Africa!  I am always amazed how far people have traveled to become a CZT, but not surprised, since I know how much I knew that I had to go to the seminar to become a certified zentangle teacher.  I am sure that I would have traveled far and wide to get there too!  Marizaan is challenging us to use a spirals and paradox, two shapes that you wouldn't think to use together often.   My 1st thought was to start with the tangle Marasu, which then turned into Paradox, and ended with Marasu again.  I peeked at some of the entries before I posted this, and I may need to try this challenge again, later this week.  Some beautiful work out there!  Thanks Marizaan & Laura!

 

 

Nautilus Shell #2

In keeping with my ocean beach theme from my recent vacation, I completed another nautilus shell.  I really enjoy this shape and it's wonderful to tangle.  You can see my 1st nautilus shell done in August 2011 with the link here.  We are having beautiful weather here in Colorado this week....70's all week...oh yeah, spring fever!

Challenge #61 UMT/GOLVEN

This week's DIVA challenge is another in the UMT (Use My Tangle) series.  I was happy to see that the tangle chosen was from Mariët.  I have been a big fan of her work for some time and love the tangle Golven (which is the dutch word for waves).

Coincidentally, I just returned from a trip to the ocean.  We went to visit a good friend of mine that retired the same time I did.  Her and her husband built a canal home on Padre Island off the coast of Corpus Christi, Texas. We took a couple of trips to the ocean to walk up and down the beach, looking for shells, and just plain enjoying the sound and sights of the ocean and each others company.   The beauty of the waves breaking, one after the other, inspired my tile for the challenge this week. 

Thank You, Laura & Mariët for another lovely challenge!

Challenge #60 Duo Tangle/Cirquital & Munchin

This week's DIVA challenge is to use only two tangles:  Cirquital & Munchin.  Personally, I love the duo tangle challenges because they are usually ones I either don't use often or ones that I don't use together. 
Today is the only day I have to play with the challenge this week, so I did the first thing that came to mind.....






Challenge #59 Mardi Gras

This week's DIVA's challenge is to make a tile or ZIA that is inspired by Mardi Gras.  While I have been to New Orleans, I  have never been there for the wild and crazy celebration of Mardi Gras.  I chose to use my Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust pens to create a glittery mask in the Mardi Gras colors of green, gold, and purple.  Green stands for Faith, Gold for Power, and Purple for Justice.  Fun challenge, Thanks Laura!

Challenge #58: Diamonds

This week's DIVA challenge comes from Diana Hirsch, a CZT from Michigan, who has a cause she is helping raise funds for.....

 Penn State University’s Dance Marathon—lovingly called THON —is an annual event that benefits The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.  The Four Diamonds Fund was started by Charles and Irma Milafter their son, Christopher, lost his 3 year battle with cancer in 1972. Symbolic of the traits Christopher felt were needed to defeat cancer, he wrote a story in which the knight Sir Millard overcomes obstacles to achieve the four diamonds of Courage, Wisdom, Honesty and Strength. 


To donate or to watch the live 46-hour simulcast, visit www.thon
 
 

Our challenge is to use the four diamond symbol as a string....

I started out with 4 diamonds as my string, and had no idea where i would go from there.  That is one of the great things about tangling, no pre-conceived idea of what it will look like...just let it unfold before you.  I put the small diamond in the middle of the 4 diamonds then did the Poke Leaf to seperate the sections. To finish the borders, I did XYP.  I tried to do a large Facet in the center, which was a little tricky to do around the Poke Leaf, and completed it with Knightsbridge.  When it was done you couldn't see the 4 diamonds I started out with.  I considered starting over, but really didn't have the time this week so I decided to just shade a little heavy around the original 4 diamonds and go with it...no mistakes...a zentangle is a zentangle!

Another fun challenge..thanks, Laura & Diana!

"Sweet" Night

A couple of months ago, after setting up a Zentangle display at my local bank, I got a call from the director of the "Friends of the Library" asking if I would donate a piece of art for their "Sweet Night"  fundraiser.  The funds would go to help their summer reading program for kids.  Since I love the work that the Friends of the Library group does, I immediately said yes.  Then I hung up the phone and thought, oh my gosh...I have never sold a piece of art before...what am I thinking...yikes!  So, I created a piece of Zentangle Inspired Art, which they picked up mid-Jan.  The fundraiser event was last Friday night, Feb 10th and was called "Sweet Night" (with a valentine love theme).  It was a dance with a two-piece band, wine, and desserts.  They had 4 large tables of donated items from individuals and lots of local businesses.  Miss Loveland Valentine made an appearance and a professional dance team showed everyone some dance steps.  This was the 10th year of this annual event, which we had never been to before.  Doug and I had a wonderful time.....and wow,wow, wow, someone  bought my piece of art, making my night, really "sweet"!   Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! 

Challenge #57 UMT (Use My Tangle)

Our diva, Laura Harms has come up with another new challenge feature on her blog. Every 1st Monday of the month she will randomly pick a tangle pattern submitted by someone, and anyone can submit their patterns on her blog.  I love this new feature because as Laura says, there are so many fabulous tangle patterns out there that it's hard to get around to trying them all.   This week's winner is the tangle:  Sanibelle, by Tricia Faraone/CZT.  It is a very lovely tangle and one that keeps growing on your page before you know it.  Thanks, Tricia for submitting you pattern, and thanks Laura for this new feature that I will look forward to each month. 

You Go Girl

Maria Thomas, Co-Founder of Zentangle did a recent blog post and listed all of the different items she has tangled on over the years.  It got me thinking about how many different things I have tangled, and while my list is not quite as long, I have done around 20+ items.  In her post, she also challenged us to draw a zentangle on something that challenges our sense of  "Oh my goodness,  I couldn't possibly do that!"  I have always hesitated tangling on my walls because they are so heavily textured...but a challenge is a challenge.  I did this before Christmas, at the top of my stairs.  It took my husband and daughter (who stayed a few nights during her college break) to realize it was drawn on the wall and not just a tile stuck behind the switch plate.  Very fun when they discovered it! 

So, since that was so much fun, I took an old wooden set of our house address (quite faded)  that had stenciled numbers and a stenciled apple on it and gave it a zentangle face lift.

Inside, that front door is an off white color and was awfully plain, until last Friday.  We had a snow day with 8 inches overnight that closed the schools and continued to snow most of the day.  We ended up with about a foot of snow, but it was much needed moisture.   What else could I do on a snow day......

 I had a class at my house on Saturday, and they all loved the front door!  Yes, I defiantly have that "YOU GO GIRL" feeling now!   When it warms up, the window next to the door is next, and maybe some of the squares on the garage door.  Oh, the list keeps growing....

Another fun basic class for 4

I love spending an afternoon with people who are brand new to Zentangle!  It is always fun to see the delight in their faces, and smiles when they see what they have created.  Lovely work, ladies!  I hope you all continue to have fun with Zentangle. 

Challenge #56/Non Dominatrix*v.2

Okay, I've put it off long enough...time for the DIVA's weekly challenge!  This challenge is one we did last year and one I find really challenging....do a zentangle with your non-dominant hand.   It's hard when you are a type A personality and like to think you are in control.  Yes, you notice I said like to think you are in control.....I have learned over the years, raising children, etc that we really aren't in control of very many things.  I also like to think that I have mellowed some since I retired a couple years ago and spend a lot more time tangling.  Oh, who am I kidding, this challenge was still hard for me, but I did it!  I used a ATC size tile and did everything with my "left" hand, string, tangles, shading, and initials.  What normally would have taken me 15 minutes for this size tile, took me 45 minutes....going really slow and concentrating on each stroke.  In my mind I heard myself saying all the things I tell my students, hold the pen lightly, deliberate strokes, etc...and still my left hand had a mind of it's own at times, as it waved out of control.  I also noticed that I had to hold the pen really close to the tip to get any kind of control (there's that word again).   Okay, I will admit that there are a lot of good lessons learned from this challenge, but hope we won't have to do it again until next year! 

Under the Sea

I haven't made a larger ZIA piece in awhile, and it was time to do an 8 x 10.  I always love to see Michele Beauchamp's larger ZIA's which usually have a lot of swirls and spirals.  If you haven't seen her work, check out her blog here.  So, it was time to go spiral, and it looks like an under the sea scene to me. 

I took a picture before I did the shading, just to show how much difference shading makes .  You really can see some patterns pop up off the page and add a lot more depth with a little bit of shading.