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.

Owls being sold at CBC Toronto Charity Craft Show, Dec. 13

It's been a very, very busy couple of weeks as I'm working hard to increase my stock of stuffed Wise Owls to be sold at the CBC Charity Craft Show in Toronto, Dec. 13. If anyone out there is interested in hand made items, I believe this is a fabulous craft show! Held in the Toronto CBC building on Front Street, in the Atrium, on Dec. 13, 2012, from 8:30 - 5:30. If you do come, please introduce yourself to me - I'll be at "Sue's Owlings".

These are examples of my owls, which sell for either $20. or $30. I have over 60 owls, all individually sewn, and named. Each one is unique. I also have my owls for sale at a store in Toronto's Kensington Market, "The Fairies Pyjamas". More pictures can be seen by clicking on the link to my website on the right hand side of this blog.

This is a picture from my first ever craft show last spring, at a school fun fair.

Zendala Dare #31

Erin at www.thebrightowl.blogspot.ca has posted another lovely Zendala template, and here is my first "quick" shot at it. I say first, because I've already started a larger ZIA using this template, which I'll post later in the week, and "quick" because I got it done between other activities, all in one day! Love this template, thanks Erin!

Zendala Dare #30 - PIE

This week's Zendala Dare from Erin at www.thebrightowl.blogspot.ca reminded her of Thanksgiving, and therefore PIE! So, the challenge is to use tangles starting with the letters P, I, E, and at least one tangle "new to you". I chose two "new to me" tangles, Pais and Escalator, and one of my favorites, Inapod.

Zendala Dare #29

This is my contribution to this week's Zendala Dare by Erin at www.thebrightowl.blogspot.ca. Great template with the opportunity to do curvy, grid and linear tangles... I found that my finished tile was a bit fussy... but then, there is lots to look at! This was particularly fun to color and shade, and I wish I had thought to copy a "before" because it really made a huge difference.

Zentangle Challenge #93 - Bunzo

This week's Zentangle Challenge from Laura at iamthedivaczt.blogspot.ca is to use the new tangle Bunzo. It's a neat tangle using one line - a sort of smile. Hummm, looked easier than I found it, but I'm sure I'll be more adventurous once I look at others' interpretations. I found some pretty linen textured, soft colored cardstock and so this is my first try on it. Pencil smudges differently on it, but I don't think it shows unless one looks really closely at the original. Scrolled Feather is one of my all time favorite tangles, but I need to play around with it some more - this one didn't turn out at all the way I had intended, though I'm not totally displeased with it since it's such a flexible tangle. I love these challenges because they really do take me out of my comfort zone, make me stretch my imagination, and as important, give me the opportunity to use "new to me" tangles. In this case it's the first time I've used Bunzo, Hurry, Allium, and Raindotty. I appreciate that so many people take the time to look at contributions and give feedback!

Zentangle Challenge #92 - String Theory - Stripes

This week's Zentangle Challenge from the Diva (www.iamthedivaczt.blogspot.ca) is to use stripes as the string. I also tried to use some tangles that used stripes or were based on stripes. This time I just let my hand and heart go and fill in the string of 10 horizontal,irregularly spaced lines across the page. No preconceived design or ideas, and that was fun and relaxing. I did two "new to me" tangles of planateen and sugarcane.