Zendala Dare #75

Here is my entry for this week's Zendala Dare from Erin at www.thebrightowl.blogspot.ca. I don't often use paradox because I rush and mess it up... No excuse, I know, so today I challenged myself to play with it a bit. I like it! Riki Tiki is new to me and I like the way it comes together as you follow the steps. Ornamato is one of my favorites, but here it looks a lot like Tipple. This is busier than I would like, but I kind of like the flow.

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 #38

I took a break from Zentangle for a few weeks while I sewed my owl pillows for Christmas craft shows, and of course shopped for, and enjoyed Christmas with friends and family! I really missed the hours I spend Zentangling, and am glad to be back at it - again part of my daily routine. I love the Zendala Dare (www.thebrightowl.blogspot.ca) and my goal this year is to try using tangles in spaces that don't seem obvious. That means circular patterns in angular spaces and visa versa,and moving outside of strings. If I can arrange it, I'd also like to take the CZT course - not that I necessarily want to teach, because I AM RETIRED, but I think just being around the others who are so committed and interested in Zentangle would be wonderful and inspirational. Happy New Year to everyone in the Zentangle community.

Zendala Dare #8

This week's Zendala Dare (#8) posted by Erin at www.thebrightowl.blogspot.ca, is to use the template she created and use only tangles that start with the letters L, O, V, and E. This is in honor of her friends Jenn and Travis who are getting married! I LOVE this particular challenge for a number of reasons... First, I'm a romantic! Second, I get to use some of my favorite tangles (see the first tile - all tangles I've used and love). Third, I decided to do a second tile with tangles I've never used before because there were so many that start with those letters that I've never even attempted. Which lead to a third tile because I've discovered even more tangles that I just couldn't resist trying! On the third tile, I cheated... somewhat, by using the tangle named All about "V" because I figured it was close enough in name to be acceptable. I hope everyone else enjoyed this template as much as I did.

1st Zendala done with tangles I've used before, and LOVE: L= Lokomotive, O= Ornamento, V= Versa, E= Efilys

2nd Zendala done with new to me tangles (and as I'm writing this I just realized that I did two tangles starting with L, and none with E...(sigh, I meant to use eye-wa or emingle): L= Loave it and Looplopp, O= Ojo, V= Voxter

Well, I guess it's a good thing I did a 3rd tile with new to me tangles: L= Longwood, O= Opus, V= Vigne, E= Eke and Ennies, and the border is one of the variations of "all about V"

Zentangle Challenge #66 - Laura's Auras

I'm glad to have another challenge to do as I've been working on a ZIA that I'm not too happy with, so wasn't feeling very motivated. This week's zentangle challenge is to use aura's. Not easy for me as I haven't done much of this, and I do love my "white spaces". But I'm quite happy with this one, it has some auras, and still lots of white space. Good challenge - again taking me out of my comfort zone!

Zentangle Weekly Challenge #64 String Theory - Fortuneteller

This week's Zentangle challenge was for everyone to use the same string - dividing the tile into 8 pie shapes. I've had a busy week so far - picketing with striking library workers (even though I'm retired, I still want to support them), gardening, and making some more owls. I've started some special editions, which will be shown on this blog later in the week. So, I dabbled on this tile - a few minutes here and there. I'd like to try another using curly tangles, but may not have time this week.

Zentangle Weekly Challenge #62 - Paradox and spirals

Wow, this was a tough one, especially after seeing the fabulous example that Marizaan van Beek has done!. This week's challenge is to use the tangle paradox and include spirals. Paradox looks easy when you have a stand alone square or triangle... but it gets really confusing if you are working with different sizes and/or a string to follow. And I have no idea how to make it look so soft and elegant as in the example... I'd like to learn how to make it flow the way Marizaan does, though it's going to take a lot of scrap paper ;) I didn't look at any other entries before submitting this as I knew that if I didn't just let my pen get at the paper, I might not even submit this week. As soon as I have this posted that is what I'm going to do - I bet there are a lot of really neat tiles and ZIA's as this is a pretty open and versatile challenge. Thanks for another challenge that takes me out of my comfort zone!

Zentangle Challenge #61

Zentangle weekly challenge #61 is to use the tangle "Golven" I love it! This is a tangle that is quite versatile and can be very detailed, or left quite simple; can be used as a border, or to fill a space... I was working on a ZIA of overlapping ovals and when this challenge came up, I decided to add this tangle, so I've included the ZIA as well.

Twisted borders

I was working on this ZIA for a couple of weeks. The general outline idea came from a knotted zentangle I saw online (sorry I didn't the name to pass on credit). There are three interwoven pieces; one with three tangles, one with four, and one with six. I was experimenting and practicing with tangles that are good for borders, though there are three tangles that I've seen but don't have names for. I'm quite happy with this!