Zentangle Challenge #72 - Crescent Moon

This week's Zentangle Challenge from "I am the diva" (www.iamthedivaczt.blogspot.ca), is to create a monotangle tile or ZIA using the tangle Crescent Moon. I used the template from week 3 of Erin's Zendala Dare (see www.thebrightowl.blogspot.ca), and got carried away... I originally thought I'd keep it simple but .... (Note: I couldn't bring myself to submit for last week's challenge which was to use the tangle "pea-knuckle". I tried for several hours but could not get that tangle to work for me. I loved many of the versions that were posted, but it seems I've found one of those tangles that just confounds me. I may give it another try but I'm reminding myself that, like books, you don't have to love every one and it's ok to just move on! Right?)

Zendala Dare #7

This is week 7 of Erin's Zendala Dare (http://thebrightowl.blogspot.ca), and I'm loving these mandala templates. I recently received my tin of pre-printed tiles which I also love, but it's really neat to see the many interpretations and individual characteristics come out when so many people follow the same pattern then post the results. This week I decided to do the larger size as I had a bit more time (sitting out on the patio in great weather)! Flux is a tangle I see often, and since the instructions are not posted, I did what I could with it based on my memory of what I've seen. Let me know if I'm way off base, ok? Ixorus, Archer and Lokomotive are some of my favorite tangles. I really like this mandala and may do one of the smaller versions later in the week. Thanks again Erin! And now to see what others have contributed.... (Comments are appreciated - I know it can take time, but it really encourages and helps me - thanks everyone!)

Zendala Dare #6

This is week 6 of the Zendala dare, (http://thebrightowl.blogspot.ca). I started this tile shortly after it was published, but am not happy with it. I started to look at others contributions (never a good idea before posting your own). Mine is too simple, and, I started to try Fife at an angle for the 5 points, but it wasn't working so I quit. Actually, I got them 1/2 done, it's sort of neat that way so I left it. I want to do another, and might, but it's a fabulous week weather wise in Toronto, and the garden, my owls (www.suesowlings.weebly.com), and social calls all take time - even if I'm retired there are only so many hours in a day... I will post again if I do another - good chance as I love doing these Zentangles (thanks Erin!).

Zentangle Challenge #70 - Sepia

The Zentangle Challenge for this week (#70), from "I am the diva" (www.iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com) is to do a zentangle adding the color sepia (or brown). I just received my zendala tile kit so took the opportunity to try this challenge on my first of the pre-printed tiles! I used a sepia 005 Prismacolor, black 01 Micron and a sepia watercolor pencil. To me this tile looks like a winter seed pod bouquet... feels a bit odd since I spent the entire day in my spring garden and winter seems so far away! I love to read your comments, and I appreciate the time it takes to write them. Have a wonderful day.

Zendala Dare #5

Erin from "The Bright Owl" creates a mandala for us to tangle each week - creating a Zendala. (Still can't figure out how to do a direct link - you can find her blog at: www.thebrightowl.blogspot.ca) I really had fun with this one - it was tough going though as it's a beautiful day and the garden beckons so I was back and forth between the porch, drawing, and digging in the earth. I started out with Punzel which is a tangle I love, but have trouble with. I was determined that it had to go into this one and I confess, I did it in pencil first. Another of my favorites, Moving Day, had to go in as it's such a crazy random yet still a grid pattern. The rest just sort of came together. Thanks Erin for putting together such a great dare each week, and I particularly like the shape this week so may try another! I enjoy reading comments, so please let me know what your thoughts are. Have a wonderful day.

Zentangle Challenge #69 - Groovy

This week's Zentangle Challenge from "I am the Diva" (www.iamthediva.blogspot.ca) is to create a zentangle using the tangle "Groovy". When I mentioned to my husband that I was looking for inspiration for "groovy" he suggested a peace sign, thinking that the theme was groovy, not the tangle.... well, I couldn't get his suggestion out of my mind so went with the general idea. It's not what I envisioned, but hey, that's what tangling does.... I like the tangle groovy and now that I'm submitting, I'll go back and see what other glorious interpretations there are! I love doing these challenges then looking at what others have done - often thinking "why didn't I think of that?"

Zendala Dare #4 - Mexico

Erin at the "The Bright Owl" http://thebrightowl.blogspot.ca (for some reason I can't provide the direct link) has provided us with templates of a mandala to tangle as part of her Zendala dare. This week she has also asked us to use a theme of Mexico and/or Ocean. Erin has been on a Mexican cruise and thus the inspiration! Love this "dare" as my husband and I didn't get away on a Mexican vacation this year so I went back to some photo's of our trips to Mexico over the past three years and it brought back so many memories! I love the colors of Mexico, in nature and art and clothes and buildings.... I couldn't get sombrero's out of my mind while I was tangling... so I've added some in as part of the border. Thanks Erin - great dare!

Zentangle Challenge #68 Hybrid and Strircles

This week's Zentangle Challenge is to use the two tangles Hybrid and Strircles. I've never used Hybrid before - like it a lot! Strircles is another fun one, but it's hard for me to use variations for this one. I did this small ZIA in one sitting as I've been vacationing in Scotland for the past week and was "getting behind" in my Zentangling! I missed the deadline for last week's challenge "Earth Day" because there was so much to see, so many people to visit, and little access to internet. So here is my completed ZIA for Earth Day as well. I used a map of the world for my string. All comments are welcomed!