"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?

"Love Your Curves" ~ Weekly Challenge #15

This week, the Diva's challenge is to use only curved lines in a Zentangle/ZIA.  A curved string paired with curved tangles and curved lines... and as Laura explains in her blog challenge-post,  "In Yoga, when you are doing a series of poses, it's always important to do each sequence on both sides of the body, to keep it in balance.  So, as in Yoga, we will strive to find balance by countering last week's 'straight lines' with this week's 'curves'."

"Love Your Curves" Weekly Challenge - in official Zentangle format

As each stroke was penned on this tile (made of beautiful 100% cotton, fine artists' paper), I was truly "in the moment".  Focus... breathe... relax... hold the pen lightly.

Meditating while drawing curves felt soft and melodious.  So quieting to the soul.

My heart was warm with gratitude.

My right brain so enjoyed the process of penning this tangle that I could almost hear it softly, softly purring.

Then I emerged from my hypnotic stupor to find that my favorite little happy feline was laying behind me on the back of the couch.  And, of course, he was purring.

Happy tangling,
Tricia

"I Walk the Line" ~ Weekly Challenge #14

Now THIS was a real challenge!  (.... wait.... I think I said that about Challenge #13....).  This time, the Diva's Weekly Challenge is to 'create a tile or Zentangle® inspired piece using ONLY STRAIGHT LINES'.

Straight lines (more or less straight...) are relatively easy, once you convince yourself that it is just about impossible for anyone to free-hand-draw a perfect straight line.  I call them "straight-line-inspired" straight lines.

And I went into this challenge feeling pretty confident that it would be a breeze to create tangles using only straight lines.  No challenge here.  Piece of cake.  Child's play.  The Diva is really getting soft.  I'll be done in no time.  Ho-hum.  *Yawn*.

HA!!!

The surprise was on me!  My pen was poised and ready to slide into a curved stroke every time it touched the tile.  I could feel the black felt tip (of the pen) as it kicked its feet and waved its little arms, just begging for me to glide it into a pattern of gentle, curvaceous strokes.

But, alas, straight lines were penned and Weekly Challenge #14 was just a happy memory.

"I Walk the Line" - Weekly Challenge #14 - Zentangle

Thanks, Laura, for another fun challenge.

Tangle away,
Tricia

Spring

Spring in New England.  It's still a bit chilly, but the sun is doing its best to warm the body, mind and spirit.  Already the SnowDrops have faded - replaced by dozens of lovely purple and yellow Crocus.  So excited are they by the splashes of color between the blades of brown grass, that the children rush to pick a handful of purple Crocus.  As we gently put the flowers in a little vase of water and place them in the center of the table, we talk about the end of winter and share a few thoughts about the coming of spring. 

"Let's go out and find some worms!"

              Spring ~ 3.5" square tile - Sakura Micron 01 & 005

 

This Spring tangle erupted above and below the cold surface of earth:  fauna above, & roots, bulbs and worm below.  For now, void of color.  But as the Daffodils, Hyacinth, Tulips and Forsythia begin to bud, the prospect for another Spring tangle made with color is looking real good!

Happy tangling,

Tricia

An Irish Blessing

"May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you wherever you go."

Happy St. Patrick's Day... even if you're not Irish! 

~ Never iron a four-leaf clover... you don't want to press your luck. ~

Tricia
P.S.  If a man who cannot count finds a four-leaf clover, is he lucky?  ~S.J. Lec

CalmThoughts and Prayers

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan has been the focus for lots of prayers and healing thoughts over this past week. The event reminds me of how very fragile life is, and how the power of mother nature can disrupt the calmness of our lives.  As I listened to the Evening News last night, I thought of how anxious, stressed and distraught many people are feeling - due to aftershocks, lack of communication, food and water shortage, separation from family and friends, and, yes, death.  From where I sit, there is little that I can do to make things better. But I can pray that a feeling of calm will soon return to the lives of those affected by the tragedy - and they will soon find a way to honor the past, live in the present, and create a new future.

"Nothing is so bitter that a calm mind cannot find comfort in it."  Seneca

Tricia

"When it's dark enough, you can see the stars." unknown author