" String Theory-Creative Genesis " - Weekly Challenge #29

This week, Sue Jacobs, CZT, is the guest "challenger".  Sue's challenge is to draw a string using a piece of string (or yarn, rope, wire etc.).  Hold your piece of string/yarn above your tile and slowly drop the string onto the tile until it falls into a pleasing pattern.  Then, using a pencil, lightly trace the pattern of the string onto your tile.  Voila!!  You're ready to tangle.

For my string, I used this multi-colored cord that I received from Lois Stokes, CZT.  Lois gave a string to all the students in CZT Seminar #3 in May 2010.  (Thank you, Lois!)

String was slowly dropped onto this 3.5" square tile.  Pattern then lightly traced with a pencil.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And here is my Creative Genesis contribution to this week's unique challenge.  This was fun.

Traditional Zentangle 3.5" square tile; Sakure Micron sizes 01 & 005; graphite for shading.

Great imagination, Sue!   What else do you have cookin' in your studio?

Happy tangling!

" Trip to Tripoli "- Weekly Challenge #28

In this week's challenge from the Diva, she says: ..."get out your pens and explore the land of Tripoli! Where will it take you?"

 I wasn't sure where to start this tangle, so I took out my circle template.  After mapping-out the route with pencil, I wandered around and found Tripoli to be a fabulously versatile pattern.  So I kept on 'penning' and became totally engrossed in these little tri-polygons.... and I couldn't stop!  Tripoli is my new best friend.

 

"Trip to Tripoli" - ZIA, 6"x6" Bristol smooth 100 lb, Sakura Microns 01 & 005; graphite for string & shading.

Instruction for Tripoli is illustrated in the Zentangle Newsletter.  

Happy tangling!
ps:  Happy Birthday, Uncle Charlie!!  love you...

" Duo-Tangle" - Weekly Challenge #27

This week's challenge is to create a zentangle or ZIA using only two tangle patterns:  Dex and Verdigogh.  Both patterns are official Zentangle tangles.

Dex?  Hmmmmmmmmmm..... What does Dex look like?  And how is it deconstructed??  I don't think I have ever had occasion to draw this tangle.  

Verdigogh is one of my favorites, so this assignment was at least half  familiar!  But the actual design was the true challenge for me.  Dex and Verdigogh are two of the most unlikely soul-mates!

"Duo Tangle" - (traditional Zentangle) 3.5" square tile; Sakura Micron black #01, #005; graphite shading.

 Happy tangling!

ps:  Happy Birthday, Uncle Charlie!!  Love you.

" Spiral Out - Keep Going " - Weekly Challenge #26

This week the challenge is to make your string a 'Spiral'!   There are all kinds of significance to the spiral - it occurs everywhere in nature and in sacred geometry.  You can build it with the golden ratio, etc., etc., etc. (The Diva)

What is a 'spiral'?  To summarize the many definitions, a spiral is a curve on a plane or in a space, which runs around a centre in a special way.

Apparently, my ZIA spiral is a 'three-dimensional conical helix' form/shape/type.  Whoever knew! 

"Spiral Out"- ZIA - 6"x6" Bristol board; double-pencil string; Sakura Micron Black 01, 005 & Brown 01; graphite shading

Happy tangling!

p.s.  Happy Birthday, Susan.  Love you.

" Zendala Magic " - Weekly Challenge #25

Pinch-hitting for the Diva this week is Genevieve Crabe, CZT guest challenger who says:   

"As some of you know, zendalas (a fusion of mandalas and Zentangle) are one of my favourite art forms. So for this week's challenge, I have created a zendala template for you to decorate.  Here is [a preview of] the image:"

Zendala template created by Gevevieve Crabe, CZT, for Weekly Challelnge #25

During the last 2 weeks, DH and I have moved to a new house.  Now the challenge is to make it our new home.  But this merry-go-round of pack-the-boxes-unpack-the-boxes has taken a serious toll on my precious Zentangle time!!!  And for a few days, my box of Zentangle materials were actually missing!  OH, NO!!  Tell me it isn't so!

But alas, my Zentangle toys were located and my world is back to normal.  (Well, almost.)  Ahhhh - such a pleasure to get back into my comfortable chair and tangle.  I really needed this tangle-time.  Thanks, Rick and Maria!

This mandala was really fun to tangle.  Thank you, Genevieve.

"Zendala Magic" - 3.5" tile, Sakura Micron#01 & #005, graphite shading

Happy tangling!
p.s.  Happy Birthday, Christopher!  Love you.

" A Little Help from a Friend " - Weekly Challenge #22

Here is the Diva's challenge for this week:  "Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to enlist the help of someone other than yourself who will draw the string on your tile or Zentangle Inspired Art."

I like this!  No stress.  String was drawn by my handsome DH of 47 years...and I relaxed into my Zentangle.  Thank you, Laura, for another fun challenge.

Traditional Zentangle using traditional supplies/tools.

...... and the string:

String for above Zentangle.

Happy tangling!

p.s.  Happy Birthday, David!  Love you.

" OoF " - Weekly Challenge # 21

This week the Diva has challenged us to create a Zentangle tile or ZIA using the new Official tangle
" Oof ".... (which was introduced in the Zentangle Newsletter).

For some reason, this pattern has me scratching my head.  I can't seem to wrap my brain around it so that it makes sense... but it sure is fun to play with.  Here, I have used it kinda-like a string.  One single little OoF. 

"OoF" - 3.5" tile; Sakura Micron black #01 & #005

Will keep practicing.....

Happy tangling!

" Royal Wedding" - Weekly Challenge #20

This week's challenge from the Diva is to take inspiration from the recent Royal Wedding and tangle a memory.

Princess Catherine's dress was lovely, and the simplicity of style with lace accent was stunning.  I love lace... and have never thought of 'drawing' or 'tangling' it.... until the Diva's challenge.

So here is my attempt at an interpretation of 'lace'. (*note: my lace is 'hand-made'.  Perhaps, someday, I'll attempt a tangle of  'machine-made'  lace.  Perhaps.)  8-)

"Lace" zia - 3.5" square white tile - Sakura Micron black #005; Sakura gel white

Happy tangling!

" 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!