Diva Challenge #104: String Theory v. XXIII - Tangle Patterns String #003

This was a fun Challenge to do. I knew I would not have a lot of time so I wanted to do something relatively simple. When I looked at the string started to look at all the spaces and tried to visualize different ways to use them. Did not really want to do a different tangle in each section. That seemed too disconnected/disjointed. Was thinking about a class that I am planning on using tangles as strings. Decided this was a good time to get some practice as I had not done this for a while. Thus the beads. I was a little stumped on what to do next as there were still a lot of spaces. Thought of different things that I could do and started to do Keeko. Liked the way it was looking but after I was about half way up the tile, began to think that maybe just having that would be kind of boring so I began thinking of things that I might do. I did not want to do totally different tangles. As I looked at it it began to remind me or a necklace laying on a table. I thought of other things that might be on a table and decided on the flowers. If I had thought of it sooner I would probably have added a few more.

As is usual, the most challenging part of completing the tiles is the shading. I was not sure what to do but felt I needed to do something to separate out the different elements. Some of the blending did not go as I would have preferred but overall I am pleased with the result. I though about trying to do a little more rounding of the beads but opted not to do it.

Here is the tile:

If you have not been to the Diva's blog, would encourage to head over there by clicking on the highlighted link and look at all the other great postings.

As always, comments are appreciated, welcomed and encouraged. 

Zendala Dare #42

This was an interesting endeavor for me. I really liked this template and I enjoyed doing it. The tangles seemed to flow very easily. Usually when this occurs I also like the result. This time I am not sure about it. I do not dislike it but.... Maybe I have been doing color too much lately and I did return to an earlier form in leaving little white space. It is growing on me. It also could be the shading. That is always a challenge. It is nice getting these done earlier though.

Well for what it is worth, here it is.

Tangles used. Phicops, Paradox, Mooka, and Tipple.

If you have not all ready done so, go to The Bright Owl and look at the other pieces posted. If it is early in the week, go back often as there are new postings throughout the week and you do not want to miss any of the great pieces that are posted.

This may be my last one for a while. Is a busy time of year for a lot of reasons, the biggest needing to go through things get taxes done. If I am lucky I will be able to squeeze in a little time.

Thanks for visiting. As always, comments are appreciated, welcomed and encouraged.

New Tangle, or just a pattern: Patchett

This is not a pattern that came out of my head but something that I saw while shopping. When I got home I quickly sat down to recreate and deconstruct. May not look exactly like the original. Cannot really tell as I do not have any pictures of it. Would like feedback from other CZT's and tangling enthusiasts if this is an  already established tangle. I could not find anything where I searched, but as I mentioned there are so many different tangles now it is hard to remember.

Here is the Step - out:

Did not spend a lot of time looking at variations. I am sure that there are many more and that with all the great tanglers out there, there will be more.  I have not used this a lot either. When I did it was as a single thumbnail.  Here is the Zendala where I used it.

I appreciate any feedback, comments or insights.

Now if I am lucky, I can get a start on this week's Zendala Dare.

Tangleation, New Tangle, or just a pattern : Tierso

Really looking for some assistance from fellow CZT's and other tangling enthusiasts.  Was sitting and thinking about the spindles that would see on stairways and architectural dividers. Began drawing and came up with something that I am not sure if it is new or something that stuck in my brain from other things that I had seen. It has some components similar to other tangles but this is put together a little differently.  I do not want to take anything away from anyone else so if anyone is aware of this being an all ready established tangle, please let me know. I have tried to research it a little but there are so many and different places where they get posted. Have not seen anything like it, but there are so many tangles now.

The name is not really significant. Used a word generator and the small orbs reminded me a little of tears, so when I saw Tierso, it seemed to fit. I first thought of Newell, but that name is all ready taken by Sandy B.

First, here is the Step - out:

Makes a simple border but can combine it to cover an area. I have not used it a lot but did use a variation in a recent Zendala. The area was not large enough to use as a complete fill. Here is what that looked like. Some of you may remember it.

Let me know what you think. Comments are always welcome, encouraged and appreciated.

Diva Challenge #103: "String Theory v. XXII - Moebius Syndrome Awareness

This week's Diva Challenge is to help bring awareness, and support to those who have to contend with, Moebius Syndrome. For those of you familiar with The Diva, her youngest son has this rare congenital nerve disorder. January 24 is Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day. Laura plans to share the link for the submissions with their support group. I had hoped to get this posted before the 24th but it has been a hectic week. I was not  sure I was going to get something done at all. Due to feeling the time pressure, I opted to go with something simple. Purple is the color for MSAD and Laura suggested that could incorporate this into the tiles if we wanted to. I did use purple but it did not show up very well in the picture, I used a purple micron for the ribbon. Here is what I came up with. Hope you like it.

Tangles used: Bales, Bricks

Tried to get the "negative effect" with the twist. It turned out okay but was a challenge with the white gel pens. definitely do not cover the same way as the microns. Unfortunately they do not make a white micron.  Did get a little better with it the more I used it. Do not use the white gel pens that much and they seem to cover differently than other gel pens. I did not notice that I tend to hold the pen on an angle. Found that with the white gel pen definitely works better when you hold it more upright. That was a separate challenge in itself. As was doing was definitely thinking of the kids, and their families, with this syndrome and hoping they have access to the necessary supports and services to deal with this syndrome.

I am off to I am the Diva to check out all the other submissions. I have been so busy that have not had a chance to see many of them yet. If you have not all ready been there would encourage you to check it out.

Thanks for visiting. As always, comments are appreciated, encouraged and welcomed.

Bookmark featuring Phicops

Do not usually make multiple posts in one day but I was working on some things for an upcoming class. I try to make bookmarks and include them in their class kit. Besides being something that I can give them, it also allows me an opportunity to experiment. These are 2" x 6" strips of card stock. This one has a texture.

I photographed it horizontally as I could get a closer picture. The card stock is a very light tan. I used Sakura Metallic Gelly Roll pens to make the tangles. For the shading I used colored pencils. I layered two colors with the lighter one on the bottom. Tried to get a color that was at least in the color spectrum of the Gelly Roll pens. Not sure if the picture really brings out what it looks like but, it does have a slight two-tone effect. I was rather pleased with the results. 

Would be interested in hearing what others think of it. I am planning on doing a couple more. Not sure if I will use the metallic pens or just the Gelly Roll pens but will probably experiment a little more with this shading on other tangles. 

Zendala Dare #41

This week's template was one that I liked. It was harder though once I started to work on it. Not sure exactly why, but maybe because most of the sections were small and the tangles I chose had a lot of line work.  I guess some things just take time. This one also challenged my shading technique. Did not think about it when I chose the tangles but most of the tangles I used I do not have a lot of ideas about how to shade. It is trial and error and hoping for the  best. That being said, I was generally pleased with the results. The only thing that was not really sure about was that maybe I had too many things going in a circular direction. The shading did help break that up a little. Hope you like the result.

Tangles used: Spiteria, Scrawlz, Aura-leah, Crescent Moon, Tierso,  Exed.

Do not know if Tierso is a new tangle or pattern. It looks like something that I may have seen before but I cannot find anything in my notes. If someone knows that it has been posted before and knows  another name, let me know. It is getting really hard to remember all the patterns. 

If you have not all ready, take the time to go the The Bright Owl and look at all the other great pieces people have done. I have not looked at a lot of them, but plan to do so over the next couple of days.

Thanks for visiting and as always, comments are encouraged, appreciated and welcomed.

Diva Challenge #102: "DuoTangle v. VI: Auraknot/Bunzo"

The Diva presented another great challenge. It was doing a DuoTangle. The two tangles that she chose are both tangles that I really like but had not really thought much about doing together. I was anticipating getting started but kept delaying because I was not exactly sure what I wanted to do. I even looked at more things other people submitted than I usually do because I was just having a hard time getting started. In true Zentangle® style, I took deep breath and began. I had a vague idea that I wanted the two to intertwine so I did have to think about how I was going to begin ( remember - no erasers). Once I started though it flowed very well. Isn't that the case with a lot of things when we are unsure. We focus on all the things that might go wrong or not work out and don't get started and just deal with what happens, trusting that we have the ability to deal with what happens. We have resources to deal with a less than perfect situation. Hopefully another lesson reinforced to tuck away for later.

My thoughts are a little heavy though as think of this and a family that I know, and their extended family, grieving the death a their 19 year old nephew, cousin, son, and brother. He was killed when his car hydroplaned, flipped over into a ditch filled with 4 to 5 feet of water and could not be freed soon enough to revive him. He was returning to college at Ball State. As I think of this I am mindful of what David wrote in Psalms 28:7, The Lord is my strength and my shield: in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped. We try so hard to arrange/control things in the way that we think is best and take care of people that are dear to us. We need to do what we can, but we still need to trust, because we are not in control. We can only "trust and be helped". I hope that is what his family is experiencing now.

For this Challenge, I chose to return to the basics and did a traditional Zentangle® style tile. It is on a square tile and only in black and white with shading. As hard as it was for me to get started I am pleased with the result. I tried some different things with the shading and for a first effort feel it turned out well. Not sure that it shows up as well in the picture as the real tile. Here it is. I hope you enjoy it.

If you have not all ready, I strongly encourage you to go to I am the Diva to look at the other great pieces that people have done. The variety and talent amazes me every week.

Almost forgot to mention a self-proclaimed benchmark for my blog as I surpassed 5,000 views this week. I appreciate all the Challenge, Dare, and Flickr participants, friends and family, and followers and other visitors for making it possible to reach this number in what I consider to be a short time since I only began this blog in August 2012. A big THANK YOU to you all.

I am glad that you visited. As always comments are encouraged, welcomed, and appreciated.

Zendala Dare #40

Erin came up with another great template for the Zendala Dare even though she was not pleased with it. I am not sure if she is aware what she may have unleashed with last week's Dare. I am not sure that I look at the templates quite the same way as before. I do look for other possibilities and not follow the template exactly. I also continued another "don't" from last week in that I experimented with color a little more. I have always been fascinated by some of the color that I have seen. If I used color before, it was usually just using a color micron. One person whose color is usually phenomenal is LeeAnn's at Lee Ann's Zentangle-ing Fun. She has a tutorial on her coloring technique. I read it and decided to try something different. To see her tutorial and the vibrant Zendala that she did, click on the highlighted blog name above. What I did in no way compares with what she is able to do but it was an interesting endeavor for me. Not sure how much I will use in the future, but is definitely something that I want to work more on.

I was pleased with the result. Here it is. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used: Auraknot, Knightsbridge, Finery, Kisses

If you have not all ready done so would encourage you to go to The Bright Owl and look at the other great Zendalas that others have done. The variety and presentations are awesome.

As always, thanks for visiting and I hope it was enjoyable. Comments are always welcome, encouraged and appreciated.

Diva Challenge #101 UMT v.XI: Phicops

What a great challenge to begin the New Year. Phicops, the Diva's husband tangle, is very versatile. When I saw it, it made me think of sea shells. That lead to my first tile. Here is what that looks like

Tangles used: Phicops, Boing, 

It was okay but it left me not quite feeling satisfied and I was a little surprised with the difficulty I had with some of the variations. So I decided to do another tile. I figured what better way to work on a new tangle than by doing a monotangle. So that is what I did. Here is what that looks like.

Tangles used: Phicops, Orlique  

Part of the fun in doing this tile was thinking of different variations on completing the tangle. Was fun and I liked most of them. I decided to fill in the background as I did not like the way that it looked just plain. Had a couple of different ideas but decided to go this route. Hope that you like it.

As always, comments are encouraged and welcomed. I appreciate you taking the time to visit my blog. If you have not already, go to I am the Diva and look at all the other great tiles that people have done. There is a lot of amazing talent out there participating in the Diva Challenge. 

Zendala Dare #39 - ZenDon't

Well this week's challenge was different and definitely a challenge. Basically it was to no do what you usually do when doing a Zendala. (Not sure how that would work for someone if this was their first dare.) After some initial consternation and a little hesitation, or procrastination if you like, I was able to get started and did enjoy it. Some of the things that were different began from the very beginning. I usually only make one copy of the template, but this time, I made 2 because I was not sure how many I might need. I did only use one. Second, I usually copy the template as it is and fill in the spaces. This time I left quite a few of the lines out. It dramatically changed the template and the end result. Oh well, just following instructions. Next, I used color which I rarely do for the dares and actually most of my work. I did use tangles I liked but not ones that I have used a lot. I do not think I have ever used any "organic" tangles, maybe except for Zinger, in any of my Zendalas. This one is about half organic looking tangles. The next thing I did different is that I deconstructed a pattern that I saw while I was out shopping and included it in the Zendala. Have not checked much to see if it has been used before. I do not remember seeing it. Lastly, I do not think I  have ever gotten a Dare done on a Saturday. Maybe once before I got it done on a Sunday.  There Erin, I hope that suffices as enough "Don'ts".  The only thing that plan on DOING  like I have before is going to The Bright Owl frequently to look at all the other great Zendalas. Hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used: Betweed, Scroll feather, Diva Dance 

Thanks for visiting and as always, comments are welcomed and encouraged. Hope the New Year has gotten off to a great start for you. I have enjoyed some time off over the holidays, including teaching 2 Basic Zentangle classes with really great students, but Monday it is back to my grown-up job.

Hope you will take the time to go to The Bright Owl and look at the other Zendalas

Zendala Dare #38

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

First challenge of the new year and the first zentangle/zendala of the year. Looking forward to a year full of tangling and teaching.

You would think after doing these a couple of months that I would have learned a few things. I guess I have but I am still a slow learner on a few things. There must be something about zendalas that make it harder for me to imagine the outcome. This was one I had a hard time deciding what to do. Rather than over thinking I just started and let it happen. Again though, I was not really seeing it until I was near the end and the shading also added a dimension that helped complete the piece. I need to keep working on being patient.

I thought about starting over but am glad that I did not. I am satisfied with the end result.


Could not decide on which picture I liked best, so just decided to post them both. Both were taken without a flash but the first was with manual settings and the second was with auto setting.

Tangles used: Florz, Indy-rella, Inapod, Wist, Zander, & Allium(variation)

Thanks for visiting. If you have not all ready been to The Bright Owl would encourage you to click on the blog name and look at the other submissions. 

Hope you all had a Happy New Year and wish great tangling adventures throughout the year.

Creating artists one stroke at a time - Kokomo Perspective: Home

This is an article that ran today. Was publicizing an upcoming class that I am doing. Is not a bad article but not sure why they did not include Rick and Maria's names. I used them a couple of times. Anyone who is local and available would love to have you come and join us at this class.


Creating artists one stroke at a time - Kokomo Perspective: Home: Kokomo’s Don Wilka always considered himself a doodler rather than an artist. However, after being introduced to an art form that allowed him …