" Happy, Merry " - Weekly Challenge #148

Merry Christmas!  ...and  Happy Holidays!

ZIA - Bristol Smooth; Sakura Micron Black 01; Soft Pastels; Koi Watercolors; PrismaColor Pencils

~ 

 

Happy tangling......
.... and thank you for visiting my pages during the past 12 months. 
I appreciate your comments and the creative inspirations from all of you.
I am truly grateful.
 Tricia
~
.... and remembering Mom

 

" PeaNuckle & Well " Duo-Tangle - Challenge #146

Gobble.  I am thankful to be back to the tangling arena on this beautiful sun-shiny day. 

Happy Thanksgiving week to you.  And Happy Hanukkah.  No school today, so the children are happy!  Black Friday has arrived on a blustery New England wind, and Christmas preparations have officially begun.  Hallelujah!

This week's challenge from the Diva is a duo-tangle:  Well & PeaNuckle.  The tangle Well is so fun, with simple line-shifting, curving variations.  Lots of fun to play with. 

PeaNuckle, on the other hand, has me baffled.  But it's okay to be baffled while tangling!!  The element of surprise looms beyond the completion of each stroke, and it makes the process of tangling more artistically exciting.  (I really. had. to. pay. attention. to. each. line. direction.)   Ommmmmmmmm ~



Traditional Zentangle on Renaissance tile - Sakura Microns Black and Brown; graphite shading;
white charcoal highlights.

~

 



 Happy tangling....

.... and thank you for visiting!

 

~

Happy Birthday, Hon!  I love you!!!

 

~

 

" Knights over Tipple " - DuoTangle - Challenge #137

Interesting challenge from the Diva:  tangle only Knightsbridge and Tipple together on your tile/ZIA..... and let's see what ya get........
"Knights over (or under?) Tipple".

ZIA-Bristol 5"x7" - Sakura Micron Black 01/25mm; graphite shading

This challenge was real-l-ly fun! 

~

In an upcoming post, I will show you a cool tangled project by my extrodinarily talented granddaughter, Mia.  She tangled her Daddy's bass guitar.  Want a peek.......?

♫

♫ ♫ ♫

 

Happy tangling....!!

and thanks for visiting....

 

Zendala Dare 73

Great mandala template for this week's challenge.  And, Erin, the points did not interfere (at all) with my tangles.  I really did get lost in the maze of this design.

Zendala 73

Thank you, Erin.

Happy tangling...

... and thank you for visiting.

 

" Beamz " - Diva UMT Challenge #134

This tangle design, Beamz, (created by Traci F.) was a lot of fun, once I got the hang of it.  Because there are a variety of ways to draw the design, it needs repitition (IMHO) to understand the "concept".  (Workin' on it, Gibbs!)

Be sure to check out all the other fantasticly creative Beamz Challenge art on the Diva's website.

ZIA 6" sq. Bristol - Sakura Microns 01/25mm black and brown; graphite shading

Thank you Traci and Laura.

And, Laura, congratulations on winning that beautiful Nikon camera in the photo contest!  How very fabulous.  So happy for you.

~

Happy tangling....

... and thank you for visiting!

~

 

Zendala Dare 70

This week's mandala template is lovely.  Again.  Another winner, Erin!

I jumped out of the box by not obsessing about completely filling an area with a tangle, allowing negative space to circle around the pen strokes and using the opportunity to add simple shading. 

Remember the lesson on how to make a "bubble" in the middle of a tangle?  (or some refer to it as a "water droplet" or "dew drop")....  Well, the outer orbs and circles on this template is where I made an attempt at that technique. 

▼  Hope someone (Enthusiastic Artist *hint hint*) will do an indepth tutorial on the bubble/dew drop technique, and which tangles enhance the bubble quality vs. tangles to avoid.  I, obviously, don't get it!!  lol




Zendala Dare 70

 

Margaret, the Enthusiastic Artist, is awesome.  She has done wonderful in-depth tutorials on Cadent and Paradox... and other great creative artistic information.  Hope you'll visit her site.

 

~

Peace - and happy tangling.

~

Zendala Dare 69

"Pop Goes the Weasel"!  That's the children's song that popped into my head when I saw Erin's mandala template for this week!  Why?  LOL.... it's a mystery to me. 

I've been smiling and humming that song for 3 days!

Zendala Dare 69

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Zendala Dare 68

The theme for this Zendala Dare is "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", which = black and white in my land of Zendala.  I love the look of white ink on black paper.  I have experimented with many brands of white ink and white gel pens, but I don't like the way the pen lays down the white ink and the thickness of the white lines. 

My "perfect white pen" would be as perfect as the Sakura Micron Black Pigment Pens (#01) (that I love to use), preferably a fine nib, #01 or #02. 

Even though I struggled with the white ink on this tile, I really did enjoy the mandala template.  And, yes, I was able to enjoy the moment while tangling the black on white.  Another great challenge, Erin.


Zendala Dare 68

If you have had a good experience with a pen that delivers an opaque line of fine/narrow white ink, (other than a dip-pen), I'd love to hear from you. 

~

Happy tangling...

... and thank you for visiting.

 ~

" String Theory " 0- Challenge #129

I used to really, really like tangling within 'pre-strung' strings..... but somewhere along my  Zentangle Journey, it has become a not-so-favorite method-of-choice.  Or maybe it just depends on the mood-of-the-day.  After all, tangling those weekly mandala designs (Zendala Dare) is pretty exciting.  At least it has peaked my interest for now.  Sometimes I feel claustrophobic and don't want to be confined to a small area designated by a string.  I just want be loosy-goosy and pop out-of-the-box with curving, lingering, random lines exuding from the tip of my pen.  The pen does all the work.

This week, the Diva's challenge is to work with a predetermined string.  Oy.  This is going to be a challenge.  "What can I possibly do with this?", I thought. 

So, I moaned and groaned (for a brief nano-second!) - until I remembered a very cool, brandy-new tangle that I found and fell in love with this week (on line).  I have been so anxious to test-drive it, and this predetermined string challenge is the perfect time to give it a go.  Once again, the Universe has come to my rescue!!

Because I don't remember the name of this cool new tangle, I was unable to locate it!   So, I put my pen into 1st gear and proceeded from memory.... (always a risky venture!)   I'm happy with how that tangle looks, but the tile as a whole..........eh.

If you should happen to know/find the name of the tangle in the two- teardrop areas on the tile below, please enlighten me!   (Many thanks, in advance.)

ZIA-4" square bristol; Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading; crackled rubber stamp/platinum ink background
 

~

Happy tangling,

... and thank you for visiting.

~

 

Zendala Dare 67

Erin has designed a very angular template for this challenge.  Yes, it was challenging, but also fun.  That's what counts for me.

Zendala Dare 67

Thanks, Erin.  Interesting template.

Happy tangling!

~

" Two Pencil String " - Challenge #128

The Diva has offered the Two Pencil String challenge in the past... I believe it was Weekly Challenge #2 in March, 2011!  (Yes, Laura, we sure have come a long way since then.)  I think I was not yet familiar with Laura's weekly challenges, so I missed it. 

Glad to be part of the Two Pencil String challenge this time. 


ZIA - Sakura Micron Black #01/.25mm; graphite shading; rubber stamp; PrismaColor Pencils

Happy tangling...

... and thank you for visiting.

~

 

Zendala Dare #66

Mariet has created a lovely zendala template for this week's challenge. 




Zendala Dare #66 ~ Printemps & Golven










Dare Template #66



Happy tangling! 

~

Opus & Cirquital - DuoTangle Challenge #127

The Diva's challenge this week is to use, "specifically", these two tangles:  Opus and Cirquital.

Interesting.

ZIA - Sakura Micron Black & Brown #01/.25mm; graphite shading; PrismaColor Pencils

~
Happy tangling...
... and thank you for visiting.
 ~

 

Zendala Dare #65

Template #65

I'm lovin' doing these Zendalas!  This is my favorite template, so far. 

When I participate in a Z Dare or Diva challenge, I always complete mine before scrolling through the other amazing tiles and ZIAs that are posted on Mister Linky's list.  So, I was surprised when I viewed  Mariet's tile.  (She is one of my very-most-favorite tangle artists!)  My goodness, our tiles are similar - yet so different??  Honestly.  It must be that great minds DO think alike!  lol



Zendala Dare #65



 

Happy tangling!

Thank you for visiting.

Zendala Dare #64

When I saw Erin's template for Zendala Dare #64, I immediately visualized the tangles that I could  pen in each space.  Finally made-up-my-mind to tangle and post a zendala to Erin Olson's weekly 'dare' challenge.  I was excited to get started...so I printed out the template and enjoyed my Zentangle experience.

Then I read Erin's instructions (after I was finished).  *big sigh*  Seems that, for the 1st Zendala Dare of each month, Erin adds an extra little challenge into the mix.  I missed that part!  So, here's my plain ol' zendala for Dare #64.....

Zendala Dare #64

 

Happy tangling!

~ 

 

" Birdie Feet " UMT - Challenge #125

This UMT challenge is designed by OwlLovingApril.  The name of the tangle is Birdie Feet, see the step-out here.  The design looks just like the little footprints that follow the birds around on the beach as they scour the sand for a bite to eat. 

Have you heard Buttercup's story..... the Duck who recently received a prosthetic leg and foot at the Feathered Angels Sanctuary?  Here is a short video - Buttercup trying out his new leg and foot for the first time!  Amazing.

So, staying within the theme of Birdie Feet, here's my Zen interpretation.......

ZIA - 4" square Bristol - Sakura Micron Black #01/.25mm; graphite shading

~

Happy tangling...

... and thank you for visiting!

~

 

" Open Challenge" ~ Calgary ~ Challenge #124

Words of the Diva:  "This week's challenge is an open challenge - i only ask that you keep Calgary in your hearts this week, and any part of the Earth where people are dealing with incredible struggles and tragedy."  Please see Laura's complete web-post here.

Whilst the stark truth is that

hardship and difficulties are inevitable and inescapable,

the definitive question may be whether

we yield under their weight

 or

 use them as an opportunity to

better ourselves.  

                                                      Daisaku Ikeda
~
 

I am taking this opportunity to post a few zendalas from Erin Olson's Zendala Dare.  I have not participated in her challenge 'cuz I have been uncomfortable tangling in a zendala format.  Don't know why.  Not enough time?  Maybe.  But I recently bit the bullet and tangled my 1st zendala, using one of Erin's templates...... here. 

And  it was kinda fun!  So, this week, my mission and personal challenge was to work with  my zendalaphobia and try to shorten the depth of my learning curve. 

Mission accomplished.  (Thanks, Erin!)

Zendala Dare 56

Zendala Dare 57

Zendala Dare ?? (Don't know which one this is...)

Zendala Dare 54

 ~

Happy tangling...

... and thank you for visiting.

 ~

Happy Birthday, Uncle Charlie!!! 

 love you lots.....
 

" Grid (un) Locked " Challenge #122

Grids are one of my favorite tangle-strings.  While they may seem ridged and boring, they are really quite versatile and interesting when they succumb to a bit of alteration.  So, in response to this  Zentangle Newsletter, the Diva's challenge is all about grids.



ZIA 4" square -Sakura Micron black #01/0.25mm; graphite shading; stamped background w/gray ink.

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Tangle happy .........
... and thank you for visiting.

~
 
Happy Birthday, Christopher!  Love you lots.
Happy Birthday, Susan!  Love you lots.
xoxoxo
~

 

" Birds on a Wire " - umt - Challenge #121

The tangle that is being highlighted in this week's challenge is called 'Birds on a Wire', created by Mary Kissel, CZT.

I must have been 'on holiday' when this tangle pattern was released because it looks new to me.  And, sure enough, if you check out Mary's blog and follow her step-out, the pattern does resemble birds sitting on a wire.  (Remember the movie by that name (1990) with Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson?)

I wasn't quite sure how to artistically use Mary's tangle in a design, and this was, indeed, a challenge for me. So, rather than having it be the main entree/center of attention, I'm using it as a side dish.

Have you been following Erin and her weekly Zendala Dare?  I have been too chicken to participate.  Why?  Mandala designs - or Zendalas, for tangling purposes, intimidate me.  Why?  Don't know.  This is my first Zendala attempt.  (template from Erin's  Zendala Dare #55.)

ZIA - Zendala Dare string -  Sakura Micron black #01/0.25mm; Zig pen platinum for light shading.

This was a fun piece to tangle. 

Kudos to Laura, Mary and Erin.

 

~

Happy tangling.... and thank you for visiting.

~

 

" Bales - Tangelations " - Challenge #120

 This week we are exploring Bales and it's many tangelations. I love Bales. It's so forgiving and it multi-tasks beautifully. All that is needed is the basic stroke pattern and a creative imagination. (I'm still working on that creative imagination!)

 



ZIA - Sakura Micron Black #01/0.25mm; chalk pastels

 ~

 

On the Diva's blog post are photos of her beautiful family..... and a message written on the sidewalk in chalk:

"Some people

 feel the rain.

Others

  just get wet." 

 ~

 Tangle happy...

... and thank you for visiting.

~ 

 

" Ebony & Ivory" - Challenge #119

For this week's challenge, like Laura, I struggled at the beginning.  Just having that extra little bit of information in my head (ie: ...."try to use equal parts of black and white space/tangles") distracted my thought process... until I de-constructed the instructions!  Duh!!!  Just use a black pen on white tile.  That's all.  End of trauma.

And, as Laura also noted, it's difficult to find a white opaque pen that is truly 'opaque' and user friendly... delivers a smooth line without skipping; covers black/dark paper in one stroke; dries to a crisp white color; etc.  So, no white pen for me.

And because of my Type A procastination, I'm late in posting.  But I'm happy.

ZIA - Sakura Micron Black #01/.25mm.  No graphite shading.

~

Tangle happy!

... and thank you for visiting.

~

Happy Birthday, David !
Happy Birthday, Tehya !
love you lots...
xoxoxo

~

 

" Kuke " - Challenge #118

This week is a UMT Challenge... and the pattern, 'Kuke', was created by Katy Abbot, CZT.  It's interesting to see the photo of Katy's cucumber on the light box!  Looks just like her tangle !!!  Cool.




Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01/.25mm; PrismaColor Pencils; Zig Pen Platinum; graphite shading

Great challenge.

~

Happy tangling.....

... and thank you for visiting.

~

Happy Birthday Ero!  Love you..... 

 

" Schway " - Challenge #117

Last week, Zentangle® Central released a new official tangle called "Schway".  See it here on the Zentangle Newsletter.
 
When I viewed this new tangle pattern in the Newsletter, I was immediately disinterested because the resulting design did not appeal to me.  I had no desire to study the 'step-out' and felt that it would never have a place in my Zentangle practice.  It just didn't taste good.
 
Then came Monday, and the Diva had spoken!!  This week's challenge is to use "Schway" in a Zentangle or ZIA.  Oy vey.
 
So, back to the Zentangle Newsletter to study the Schway step-out.  I practiced it a few times.  Still did not appeal to me.  Not my style.   
 
Now it was time to draw my string on a tile.  I tangled other patterns and played, joyfully, with Mooka and my other tangle-friends.  Oh, yes, I was avoiding the inevitable.
 
Then along came Schway.  After the top area of the design was all Schwayed,  I started adding a few more strokes.... one at a time....here and there.... until:  OMG, it doesn't look like Schway anymore!!!  Cool.
 
All I am saying is  Give "Schway" a chance.*



Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01/.25mm; graphite shading

~

* Thank you, John Lennon. 

 ~

Happy tangling....

and thank you for visiting!

~

" Blind Sided " - Challenge #116

We are going "vintage" for this week's challenge.  The Diva says:  "I'm revisiting another past challenge - using a blind string."

This challenge was VERY enjoyable.  It was nice to be reminded of the 'feel good' effects of the Zentangle process.  A relaxing sense of purpose.  Nice.



Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black .25mm/#01; graphite shading

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Happy tangling....

... and thank you for visiting.

~
 

Happy Birthday, Mary!  ... love you lots  ♥

~

 

" Earth Day " - Challenge # 115

What does "Earth Day" - and Mother Earth - mean to you?  That is the question posed by the Diva for this week's Zentangle challenge.

ZIA - 4"x6" Sakura Micron Black .25mm/#01; Koi watercolors; Prismacolor pencils; Zig platinum pen; graphite shading

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Happy tangling.... 

...and thank you for stopping by.

~

" Seeing Stars " - Challenge #114

This week the Diva is seeing stars, and she has invited us to "be inspired by the stars".

This was such a great challenge.  Simple. Sparkling.  Stars.

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01/.25mm; graphite shading.

~

.... and since I was on vacation last week and had no access to a scanner, I was unable to submit my challenge tile on time.  No worries. 

 

Weekly Challenge #113 "Hip to be Square".  Here it is...



 

ZIA - Sakura Micron Black #01/.25mm; graphite shading

 ~

Happy tangling.....

...and thank you for visiting.

~

 

"Tuxedo" - UMT Challenge #112

 The Diva's challenge to us is a UMT called "Tuxedo".  I don't think I have ever seen this pattern... or maybe, if I have seen it, I don't recognize it.  The tangle pattern was created by a wonderfully talented artist, LeeAnn (aka ledenzer).  I just love love love her style of tangling.  You can find step-out instructions for Tuxedo HERE.

My ZIA for this challenge: 

ZIA - 4"x6" - Sakura Micron Black and Brown (which is sepia color) .25mm each; graphite shading

This was a very interesting pattern to work with.  It seems to have so many more design possibilities. 
Thank you, LeeAnn.
~
Tangle happy...
... and thank you for visiting.
~
    

 

" Mooka Monotangle Madness " Challenge #111

Our challenge, should we decide to accept it, is to use ONLY  MOOKA and its tangelations and explore its capabilities.  Sounds easy enough, huh?

Mooka is a lovely, curvy, flowing design...... the way Maria does it!!!   And I love watching her demonstrate this delicious tangle . 

For me, Mooka was a challenge - but I still managed to thoroughly relax and enjoy the process. And, of course, isn't that the basic concept of Zentangle?  Enjoying the process........



Traditional Zentangle - Bristol 3.5" sq.; Sakura Microns Black .25mm and Sepia .25mm; graphite shading.
 

Loooooooove that Mooka!!  Thanks Maria and Laura.

~

Happy tangling...

...and thank you for visiting.

 

Happy Easter!

 ~

 

" Zentangle Quest " - Challenge #109

The catalyst for this week's challenge comes from a post on the Zentangle blog .  A photo, taken in Italy, led to the deconstruction of the design, which was then translated (into the language of Zentangle), and a step-out by Maria.  Now all this tangle needs is a name!

Great idea, Laura .  This was a really fun one to play with!!

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Microns Black & Brown  #01/0.25mm; graphite shading

~

 

And I've been working on a  ZIA for ... someone.

 

ZIA - 9"x12" Bristol; Sakura Micron Black #01/0.25mm; PrismaColor Pencils; Zig Platinum, fine

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Happy tangling...

... and thank you for visiting.

~

" Whyz " - UMT Challenge #108

In this "Use My Tangle" Challenge, the tangle we are challenged to draw is called "Whyz", and was created by Jane MacKugler, CZT.  Instructions are here on Jane's blog.

Concentration is a  must when drawing "Whyz".  If you aren't paying attention to what the pen is doing, this tangle morphs into something unexpected!  And I don't understand 'Y' ! 

                                             ☺



Traditional Zentangle - 3.5" sq Bristol; Sakura Micron Black #01 (0.25mm); graphite & Derwent Tinted Charcoal (green) for shading

~

Thank you Laura and Jane.

 

Daylight Saving Time (United States) 2013 begins at 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 10. 

Don't forget to turn your clocks AHEAD this weekend.

~

Happy tangling.....

and thanks for stopping by.

 

~