" More Morris " - Weekly Challenge #19

This week's challenge from the Diva is to "create a tile or Zentangle Inspired piece using the William Morris technique of light over dark".

Interesting.

Seems like this process resulted in a very "busy" art piece for me.  Perhaps that is the intention of this technique?  Don't know.  I am not familiar with the work of William Morris... but his technique is something to further explore.

And the process was quite meditative.  Looks like I threw in a 'floatfest' tangelation here and there (Carole Ohl).  H-m-m-m.  Don't remember that being part of the plan.  But I think it works...!?!?!

 

ZIA - "More Morris" - 3.5" sq. white tile; Sakura Micron black # 005, 01, 08; Sakurs gel pen white; Prismacolor white pencil

Happy tangling!

Happy Easter

Easter Sunday makes it official:  spring is here.  Yes, the calendar claims that spring arrived one month ago, but don't you think there is something about the smell of hyacinth.... and the color of daffodils, tulips and forsythia that just 'seals the deal'?  NOW it feels like the earth has finally surrendered its hold on the latent beauty it has been hiding under its crust all winter... and has given us permission to enjoy the anticipation of its upcoming fauna fireworks! 

~  Happy Easter  ~

[This ZIA was created with Sakura Microns 005, 01 & 05 in various colors; chalk pastels; Derwent water color pencils] 

The bunnies are hopping around in the back yard... and pheasant and deer have emerged from their winter hiding.  And, of course, the chipmunks that dig bomb shelters in my garden are scurrying around the baron landscape gleefully waiting for my favorite flowers to bloom so they can fill their little bellies with the delights of summer.  (They post a little sign in the corner of the garden every weekend that reads:  "Chipmunk Farmer's Market".)

And as I am typing this, the wonderful smell coming from the oven tells me that the pastiere (our family's traditional Easter delight) is in the process baking, right on schedule. Then there is the home-made macaroni for Easter dinner.  Better get back to the kitchen......

Hope everyone has an egg-ceptional, eggs-traordinary Easter.  I am grateful for all that I have, and thank you for taking time to visit here.

Happy tangling!

"Egg-zzzellent" - Weekly Challelnge #18

The challenge for this week is to tangle an egg shaped-design.  And this is eggzactly the kind of challenge I needed this week:  simple.  ('Challenges' are not necessarily supposed to be difficult, right?)  It was challenging just to find time to sit and tangle! 

"EGG-zzzellent" Weekly Challenge #18 - 005 & 01 Micron, chalk pastels, Prismacolor Premier pencils

I have nothing "enlightening" or profound or educational to say about eggs.  Is it a stretch to call this entertaining???

Humpty Dumpty sat by the pool.
Humpty Dumpty thought he was cool.
He wouldn’t wear sunscreen 

Cuz he thought it was dumb.

Now he’s served at McDonalds

With ham & cheese on a bun.

      

http://www.gigglepoetry.com/.

Happy tangling!

"Fifteen Minutes to Fame" - Weekly Challenge #17

The challenge this week is to tangle a tile or a Zentangle Inspired Art-piece in fifteen minutes.  That means we must draw the dots, border, string, tangles and shading - all in fifteen minutes. 


So like others, I set the timer for 15 minutes... and sat down to tangle.  Oy vey. Under normal conditions, I am the s-l-o-w-e-s-t tangler on the planet.  Dots, border and strings were easy enough.... and took no time at all.  Now to draw the tangles.  (Yes, I did pre-plan a few tangle-pattern-options..... thank goodness!) 


Knowing that I had a 'time limit' was very disconcerting.  Did not feel right.  I have never had to rush through a tangle... or a Zentangle.  My tangling experiences have always been enjoyable and calming and relaxing. 

I'm not overjoyed with the results, but each experience is a lesson learned. 

 "Fifteen Minutes to Fame" - Weekly Challenge #17

I am grateful that I was taught the traditional Zentangle method of creating patterns.  I do appreciate how the real-deal has helped me to better recognize when my mind, body and spirit need a bit of pampering.

Later, I will relax and draw a Zentangle using the official Zentangle method.  Thanks, Maria & Rick.
        
Happy tangling.
                         

"Sanibelle"

This new tangle has been floating around in my work since last summer.  I didn't give it much thought until a few people asked me about it.... so here is the "how-to" for "Sanibelle":

Sanibelle Deconstructed

This pattern seems to come together in a more consistent flow if steps 1./2./3. (scalloped lines) are all drawn in their positions on the tile... then add the parallel lines in step 4.  Shading adds depth & dimension.


Here is Sanibelle in a border.  It also makes a very pretty filler...... (as shown here in second tile of this "Something Blue"  post.)

ZIA - Sanibelle tangle used in border and as focal pattern... 6"x 6" Bristol, Sakura Micron 01 Black, Prisma Colored Pencils

Happy tangling!

"Mooka - Weekly Chellenge #16"

The Diva has announced Weekly Challenge #16:  "Mooka"

Before I penned this tangle onto an official Zentangle tile, I practiced drawing different versions of Mooka in my art journal.  As my pen moved across the paper, it twisted and turned and skipped through the process, and I did get lost in the continuous-line-flow of the pattern.  Really fun.  Each practice tangle was different.

Okay, enough practice.  Let's get serious.  Time to draw a Zentangle for the Weekly Challenge.

Well, when I finished my design, I could hardly keep from ROTFLMAO!  What IS it??  Strange looking... creature???  I'm not sure if is sings "bah-bah-bah".... or maybe "beep-beep".  (A sheep on roller skates?  Or the Road Runner?!)

Then I settled down, and thought:  "This is a Zentanagle.  It has no right or left, no up or down, good or bad, right or wrong.  The process is the same, no matter what emerges as the final result."

And was it fun to draw?  You betcha!!

... and I'm still giggling.

Zentangle - "Mooka" - Weekly Challenge #16

Happy tangling.

"Mooka - A New Tangle is Born"

Maria and Rick have introduced a new tangle - "Mooka".  Their video tutorial can be accessed below;  and the story about Mooka and a breakout step-by-step diagram is here in the Zentangle newsletter.

I found this tangle to be very mesmerizing -  and there are so many twists and turns that emerge from the design.  The Diva has offered "Mooka" as Weekly Challenge #16.... and anyone can join the Weekly Challenge and submit a tangle... (instructions on the diva's website).  Have fun with Mooka.

.... and happy tangling!

"Happy Birthday Kai"

Happy Birthday to our little Kai David - who is 4 years old today.  Kai loves dinosaurs, lizards and sea creatures.... like fish!  And here is his birthday tangle...

ZIA - Happy Birthday, Kai

We love you!

"The First Day of April"

April Fool's Day.  I remember how much fun it was to play silly little jokes on each other in school.  It was fun to make jokes while adults were around and not 'get into trouble'.  April Fool's Day gave everyone a license to tell silly little stories and make silly little jokes..... even us silly little kids.

This morning, my beautiful crocus felt the brunt of the joke that fell upon them during the night.  Snow.  Lots of people were not happy with Mother Nature's gift of this lovely white blanket on this 90th day of the Georgian calendar year... but the crocus didn't mind.  They stood tall (or as tall as they could stand!) - and they remain resilient.  They are beautiful. 

Lavender Crocus enjoying their blanket of snow on 4-1-11

But leaving the serious words for another day...... I have a question for you:

What are the Top 10 Symptoms that you may have PMS?

       1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem. 

       2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
       3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
       4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
       5. Your using your cellular phone to dial up every bumpersticker that says,
              "How's my driving- call   1-800-***-**** ".
      6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
      7. You're convinced there's a God - and he's male.
      8. You're counting down the days until menopause.
      9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
    10. The Ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

Tangle something.... you'll feel better.


Tomorrow's question:  How much deeper would oceans be if sponges didn't live there?