Something a little different: Crocheted afghan # 7

This is a different post than what you are use to seeing from me. It is not a Zentangle® post. Some of you who have followed my blog for a while may not be as surprised by it, but probably still unexpected. If you looked at my description of my blog and looked at some of the other pages, other than the Zentangle® related pages, will know that I also do knitting and crocheting. When our first grandchild was born I decided to make an afghan for her. Figured it was something that I could do that was unique. It turned out that way as 6 grandchildren and 6 afghans later, they still use them. Number 6 was a few years ago and I thought I was done, unless I lived long enough to have great grandchildren. Well we had a surprise and grandchild number 7 is due anytime now. This will also be our first grandson. With all the other things going on, was not sure that I would be able to get his done before he was born. Somehow I miraculously made it. Adding to the task is that I have done different patterns with each grandchild. Took me some time to decide on what I wanted to do. This one is a simple cluster pattern and like Zentangle® method. is a repeating pattern. Guess you could call it a mono-pattern afghan.Well enough rambling. Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

Used Caron simply soft yarn. Colors are Royal Blue and White.

Took the second picture so that you could see the repeating pattern better. 

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

Diva Challenge #252:"String Theory: "Tangle within a Tangle ... it's like inception ... but with tangles"

This week's Diva Challenge is an interesting one. Was not sure what I wanted to do. Most of what I thought about first were grid patterns, which I did not really want to do. I had seen some interesting ones before. I remember one my sister did a while ago when she did Beeline inside of Beeline. It looked neat but did not want to repeat it. One of the first thoughts that I had was Mooka. I have used Mooka as a string before so I wanted to do something different. Just begun looking at different tangles and thinking about how I could use them in this challenge. I finally decided on Well. I used the one variation. This variation did not have the lines that made it look organic. Maria did one on their blog when the tangle was introduced. I chose to use Helen Williams variation of Well. Not sure if this is the random dot version or the free hand but it is definitely not a grid. If you want to see her work on this go to a little lime. This link will take you to her pattern page and will have to scroll down to see Well. Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used: The string is Well. Used Fassett and Betweed inside. Zinger and Fescu used as embellishment.

Highlighting done with white charcoal pencil and Zenstone. 

I used a Renaissance Zendala as I still had not put any of the original tiles in my kit. It gave me a chance to work on these though as I have not done any for a while.

Not particularly pleased with either the charcoal pencil or the Zenstone. It is a while since I used them. Not sure if it was the pen or the tile, but the charcoal pencil seemed to smudge the brown micron. Not as much with the Zenstone but it still did a little. Oh well, it is all good. 

If you have not all ready, would encourage you to visit I am the Diva and look at the other pieces that people have posted. I am hoping to have some time to do this. Better yet, give it a try yourself, even if you do not post it anywhere.

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

Go Tangle !!

Diva Challenge # 251: "Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day"

This week's Diva Challenge is a special one. Special for the participants and The Diva herself. Those who have participated, or followed her challenge know that this is a syndrome that impacts her family. After many trials, her youngest son was finally diagnosed with Moebius Syndrome. Dealing with this has been quite a journey for the family. It is one that the Diva has allowed us to be a small part of by posting pictures and updates or her son as he is growing up and participating in this challenge which she also links with the Moebius Syndrome support group. You can read more about this her blog, I am the Diva.

Was not sure that I was going to get this done. It is a different tile for me. I chose to use a Zendala® tile instead of the standard square tile. I also used color a lot but it is still monochrome as it is only one color. Not sure I have done this before. I also left a lot of negative space. I have gotten more comfortable with this but it still something I will mull over a lot. Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used: Knightsbridge, Diva Dance ( in honor of the Diva herself), and Hollibaugh

I used a purple micron for the Moebius Syndrome logo and to outline Hollibaugh. The highlighting/shading is down with multiple Prismacolor pencils; lilac, violet, parma violet. I have used the Prismacolor pencils before but I am not sure that I used them on an official tile before. I used the blending pencil but was not really pleased with the way that it blended. I could smooth it out but not really get gradients that well. Had to use very light pencil  to get that effect. This was, I think the first time I used a Prismacolor pencil for so much highlighting. I am pleased with the result. 

I am hoping to get a chance to look at the other submissions for this challenge. I also have a class tomorrow to finish preparing for also. If you have not all ready done so, I strongly encourage you to visit I am the 

Diva and look at the great art that others have created. If you do, take the time to comment on the sites that you visit. I know that most people appreciate this. Try it yourself, even if you do not submit it for others to see.

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

Go Tangle !!

  

Diva Challenge #250: " Bringing it Back to the Old School"

It has really been a long time since I have been able to participate in one of the Diva Challenges. I almost made it last week as I really liked the two tangles that were used in the Duotangle. This week's challenge is to go back to the basics of Zentangle®. That basic structure that we all learned and try to teach in our Basic classes. It was to use a square white tile and use only a black pen and a pencil for shading.

I, like the Diva wrote, see all the different things that people are doing and think ... I need to try that. Part of the appeal of tangling and the Zentangle® method is its simplicity. I still have not tried the gems that are popping up all over. I feel  like the last two months I have been in "production mode". Have done little basic tangling. I still have a lot of things to do but this was a nice break.

Here is what I came up with. In addition to only using the basic tools, I also used a string that I use in my basic class. Some, but not all the tangles, are ones that I use in a basic class. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles Used: Zander, Flux, Zinger, Cadent, Arckles

I have not looked at other posts so am hoping to do so. Would also recommend that if you have not you also visit I am the Diva and see some great pieces of art.

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

Go Tangle !!