Sunday, January 6, 2013

Zendala Dare #39 - ZenDon't

This week's Zendala Dare (#39) from Erin at www.thebrightowl.blogspot.com is a brilliant way to start the new year challenges! I love that she has challenged us to further step out of our comfort zone by NOT doing the processes we usually do. For example is we usually do our zendala in black and white - Don't - use color; if we use favorite tangles - Don't - try something different... and so on. So for this first Zendala, I used lots of color (staedtler pens, and watercolor pencils) (which I don't usually because color intimidates me). And the big thing for me on this Zendala was to not follow the exact template, so I adapted it, even if it was just a bit. I'm also a stickler for using official tangles but when I saw all the diamonds in this template, I really, really wanted to do "gems". I found a deconstruction of a gem on google images (no name given that I can give credit to, sorry).
This second Zendala was also stepping out of my comfort zone because: 1. as soon as I see 12 obvious sections, I want to do a clock to add to my Tangled Time series (because time seems to take on another dimension when tangling...). Because Erin mentioned the 12 months in her blog, I realized that I have been Zentangling for just over a year, so it was time to acknowledge the 12 months. 2. I usually try to do a new tangle or two... Don't - so I used one I'm familiar with but haven't used much lately. 3. I usually do black and white - Don't - so I added the sepia which I love when I see it, though rarely use. 4. And I never put in words - so the rhyme about the number of days in each month was appropriate here. Great Dare Erin, thanks for making those New Year Resolutions more approachable by looking at it from a different perspective. (I may still have to use this template do a clock for my Tangled Time series though - 12 sections don't happen that often!)

16 comments:

Ronnie said...

I love the Diamond design on your first Zendala and the subtle colors. Your second Zendala about "time" is awesome! I had the thought about doing something with the months of the year when I heard there were 12 spaces, but didn't run with it. Great idea. I still may try something related to the months of the year.

Tangles and More said...

Like your diamonds.

Lesley S-G said...

I love how you tangled the negative space in the first one. Wonderful!

ledenzer said...

I love the jewels in the first one and your color is very nice. I really love the fullness of patterning in the second! Wonderful response to the challenge!

Celia said...

Wow. Talk about don't. Your gems are fantastic. And your calendar is so original.

Celia said...

Wow. Talk about don't. Your gems are fantastic. And your calendar is so original.

Unknown said...

Wonderfull done, so much to do with dont! And a seccond piece!

Unknown said...

These are both fantastic--I super love the gems and the color! Very pretty and beautiful line work in both!

Anne's tangle blog said...

I do love your jewels!!!! The second one is great with all those words. I love words and maybe (some day) I'll use some words too.

Didisch said...

Both designs are great. But yeah you know what they say about girls and diamonds.... So thats my favorite, it is so simple ( the less is more) and so beautiful with those colors!

Carmela said...

The forst one is faboules with the diamond paterns and u used the colors of the chacra's. Beautiful.

Run Shines said...

I'm having trouble picking my favorite because they are both fabulous! Great color scheme on the first and great movement in the second. Love it!

Anoeska said...

I really like both your zendala's. The one with the gems is my personal favorite, so original!

Ann at Deep Magic Tangles said...

Love these colored, faceted gems! Beautiful work.

PennyRae's Mandala Creation's said...

Looks like a colorful whirl of diamonds. Love it.

Karen Lynn said...

Ooooo! I love the diamonds, and the beautiful, subtle colors! The second is a gem, too. Plus, it's amazing that they're both so different. Terrific!