Zentangle Challenge #111 - Mooka Madness - Monotangle - Mania

This week's Zentangle Challenge #111 from Laura at www.iamthedivaczt.blogspot.ca is to do a monotangle of Mooka. I love seeing Mooka, but like many others have been intimidated by it. Thanks Laura for the opportunity to challenge myself with an exercise in practicing and trying different variations. I used a prestrung zendala tile for the circular one, and an 8 X 10 inch sheet for the second. I like the versatility of this tangle, but no matter what I did, they all looked very much the same to me. Before posting this I started looking at other entries, which I don't normally do because it makes me second guess my attempts, but this time it has inspired me. There are parts of each of my entries that I like, and parts that I don't - but that is why I tried to use this exercise as a "study". I'm as hooked now on Mooka as many others, and I'll be spending a bit more time this week experimenting with it. I've been particularly drawn to the more simple and graceful versions with one or two mooka, so that will be my next focus.

Zendala Dare #50

Interesting template from Erin at www.thebrightowl.blogspot.ca. I could see so many things I wanted to do, but after I had drawn it out, I realized I'd missed a couple of lines and voila - there was a pinwheel. I used a sepia pen to add contrast, and though it's hard to see in the scan, a pale blue watercolor pencil for the background. My copy of the book "Made in the Shade" by Cris Letourneau just came in the mail today, so I'm going to bundle up, and sit in the sun in the back yard with a tea, my Zentangle kit, and enjoy this spring-like afternoon!

Zentangle Challenge #110 - "get rid of the box"

Well, I can't wait to see what everyone else is doing with this challenge! I didn't really have to think too hard about this one because a while ago I bought a ceramic pear with the intention of tangling it with a sharpie pen because I've heard that you can bake it and make it permanent. I'm sure I stored the article somewhere, but of course can't find it now. At any rate, this challenge (from Laura at www.iamthedivaczt.blogspot.ca) is the perfect motivation to try this project. I don't like the way the pen slips on the shiny surface; it's hard to get a steady line, and my fingers kept smudging stuff I'd already done; and I went through 3 sharpies. But... here it is posted. I'll still look for the instructions about baking it, but I doubt that I'll be doing any more unless I can find some ceramic tiles and make coasters - a flat surface would be much easier. Thanks again Laura for making us step out of our comfort zones!

Zendala Dare #49

This is my entry for Erin's Zendala Dare #49 which can be found at www.thebrightowl.blogspot.ca. I'm stuck inside with a cold and there is freezing rain/snow outside. Hopefully the last of both for this winter. Thank you to Erin and Laura for their dares and challenges as it gives me something to look forward to, and something to motive me when I'm feeling lazy or at loose ends. I'm so looking forward to spring - getting out and enjoying the garden and sun, and going for walks!

Zentangle Challenge #108 - UMT - Whyz

This week's Zentangle Challenge from Laura at www.iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com, is to use the new tangle "Whyz". I started out making a frame, then drew a string inside of it. It's taken me all week because it's 8 X 10, I took extra care, enjoyed myself, and tried mostly new (to me) tangles. I couldn't figure out how to shade Whyz and looked at other submissions which I don't normally do because it intimidates me, but what a surprise! There were so many variations of this tangle and a lot of them were almost unrecognizable from the pattern, but I didn't see shading that caught my eye. I ended up tearing up a couple of pieces of paper and constructing an origami-like Whyz just to see where shadows fell. Fun again! I don't particularly like this as a whole, but I do like each part of it (if that makes sense), and I'm inspired to try some of the variations I've seen of Whyz. I'm sorry I haven't had time to comment on the wonderful submissions I've already seen this week.

Zentangle cat...

Yesterday I had a fidgety day - couldn't concentrate on anything so I was moving from one project to the next. My cat, Noel (named because she was found in a library Christmas Eve morning 12 years ago - probably put through the book return slot), was also fidgety and followed me everywhere, lying on top of whatever I was trying to work on. Here she is "helping" me with Zentangle, but she also "helped" by lying on my computer, book, sewing, felting supplies, kitchen counter, and laundry tub. Doesn't she look annoyed that I would dare concentrate on anything other than her? She did make it rather difficult to actually get anything done. We're both over whatever was happening, so I'm looking forward to a creative day starting with a visit to the fabric sale of upholstery ends at the Textile Museum! (I'm working on a Zentangle series - this sheet is "grid tangles".)