Glass disc Christmas ornaments: 2.5" glass discs with Dura-lar® inserts

Well it is that time of year. Actually I am a little behind schedule to have many new things for the holiday season. Completed one of these and then took me quite a while to get anything else done. Doing these really makes it clear why the Zentangle® method is easier. Whenever try to do ZIAs, get into the issues that do not come up with the basic method. I obsess too much about color combinations. Oh well, I just have to remember to start and see where it takes me. 

These are glass discs and the inserts are 2.5" circles of Dura-lar®. The drawing was done with Microperms and the color was added with either Prismacolor or Faber-Castell polychromes. The polychromes seemed to cover a little more consistently but was pleased with the way that they all turned out. Do not have WIP pictures. The first is a finished one. 

Tangle is Stella with generic leaves.  Cut the circle just a smidge too small so this insert moves in side the disc.

Here are 3 more on Dura-lar Decided to complete all of them before I put them inside the discs. Was just a preference. I like them all but think my favorite is the one in the upper right. That one also gave me the most difficulty deciding what colors I wanted to use. That is what all the color marks on the side. Not sure how much it helped but did help decide to go ahead with certain colors and just let it happen. I also used the Prismacolor metallic silver and gold pencils in this one. I am not sure what the leafy purple tangle is called. I have a lot of variations in my journal but did not write down the name of the tangle. It is similar to Amarin by Debbie New but not sure. It is possible that it was one of those challenges that was to play with Flux and see what different variations could come up with. The basic structure is very similar to Ynix.  Unfortunately not writing down the names of tangles is something I  do too often.  Here are the 3 I came up with.

If you have not used Dura-lar before, it comes in sheets or a roll. I bought a pad of 9"x12" sheets. They will accept ink, pencil, and colored pencil. These are matte finish and can be drawn on both sides. I chose not to do that as you can pick up the image on both sides. I did not try it but it claims to erase easily.  On next ones may try to do some with my colored Microns. will have to be fewer tangles as do not have as many colors in those. Could also use my IdentiPens as the ink in those is similar but there are a few more colors. Not sure if I will get to them this year or not as I have a couple of other projects that I need to work on. 

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

Go Tangle !!

Beyond the Basics class: Layered water color background

Do not post much about things that I do in a class but this was an interesting class.  I had introduced using a water color wash before but did not spend much time on adding layers.  Wanted to have them take their time putting down the water color before they tangled on the piece.  Am waiting to see the finished pieces as they were all so different.  One used a lot of small sections of color and used a lot of organic tangles, which is what she enjoys. With her permission may post a picture of it later.  I am showing the piece that I did.  I used larger sections of color and layered the same color on top. Did not try to layer different colors for muted or different effects.  Will post a series of pictures showing the piece as it progressed.  Really did not have a plan when I started. Picked a tangle and just let it develop.  Here is the results.

Thought I had a picture of just the water color but I guess that I did not .  I first did  what I am calling "Semi-crazy" Huggins.  Is not a regular grid but not too much "wonkiness".  I then put in Finery and then Puf.  

Next I added Inapod and then put Paradox around the outside.

I then added Zander in both sections. The next was the Flora variation and then added the Phicops and Zingers to finish it off.

I then added Mooka, Flux, and Tipple.  The Tipple was added and randomly.  Was looking at different orientations when I took this picture.

And here is the finished piece with the last section finished.   The paper is water color paper and is 6"x 8". 

The last tangle is Opsess, one that I did the step out for.

I have a couple of other projects I want to get to but want to do something like this again.  I would like to use smaller areas of color and try more blending like when doing the gems.  That is a time consuming process so not sure when I will get to it.

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

Go Tangle !! 

Diva Challenge #347: "String Theory - Traced Objects "

This was a different challenge this week. I have participated in string theory challenges before but not sure if I had done a traced object one before.  Started this early in the week and just did not get to it.  Think there was a little procrastination as I was not sure what to do.  Still was not sure even after I had traced some things.  The challenge was to use things that were around you at the time not necessarily to pick something specific.  Will give more details later.  I used a Renaissance tile.  Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used: Hollibaugh, Zander, Knightsbridge, Mooka, Tipple, & Flux

Did not say above but decided to take a picture of the tile before I did any highlighting or shading.   Was not sure what I wanted to do. At first was thinking of just using graphite.  I have used graphite on the Renaissance tiles before but not really a big fan of it.  Had done some layering of colored pencils to get more of a sepia shade for shading but did not really want to take, or have, the time to do this.  I finally decided I would use a white charcoal pencil

Here is what it looks like with the white highlights.

Not really sure how I feel about this.  It is okay.  Could not decide what I wanted to do with Hollibaugh so just left it with no  shading or highlighting.  

Almost forgot to mention what I used to create the string.  The bottom is a wooden handle on a crochet hook.  The two orbs are the inside of the finger holes on a pair of small craft scissors.  The last is the battery cover for my mouse.  I have to confess that what it reminded me of was a ferry boat that was on Lake Erie. It was primarily a vehicle transport and was referred to as the "cup and saucer".  Would go out to the Bass Islands off the Ohio coast.

Have not looked at what others have done.  May not even get to it before the next challenge.  Should be some interesting things as there about anything could be used to create your string.  If you have a chance would strongly recommend that you go to I am the Diva and see what others have come up with.

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

Go Tangle !!

Diva Challenge #324: "Tangled Heart"

I was not sure about this challenge. I am not a heart type of person. I decided to do something because I really needed to tangle. This week's challenge is a guest post by Jessica Davies. During the summer, the Diva will have some guest posts to give her a little break and allow her some time with her family. Jessica chose this prompt due to some recent health problems and she used tangling as a way to help deal with the stress associated with it. There is a lot of anecdotal information of how tangling has helped a variety of people with a myriad of challenges.

I did decide that I would participate. I am not sure about what I came up with but the process was definitely relaxing. It is not that I do not like this tile, it is that it does not have the flow that I sometimes imagine in my head.  Usually the more I look at it, the more comfortable I become.  Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used: Tipple, Mooka, Zinger, Ahh, Zenith

Shading done with HB pencil

I chose a Zendala tile as I had not done one in a while and it is also a little bigger. I have not done a zendala for quite some time. May have to revisit that again soon. 

If you have not visited I am the Diva to look at the other pieces submitted, I would strongly encourage you to do so. You can use the above link to go there directly.  I usually do not look at what others have posted until I get mine done. Will try to look at as many as I can in the next few days.

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

Go Tangle !!

New Project: Tangled Letter - Step II, Cut out

Was not sure that I was going to post each step but got this done and decided to go ahead. I completed the areas that I am cutting out. May have to go back and clean up a few of the cuts. Still not sure what I will put it on. To give an idea of where the cuts were made I took a picture with two different backgrounds. Not sure what I will end up using. Will probably be something neutral so very likely that it will be black. Not sure what I will do for a frame.

Tangles ( from the bottom): Mooka, Rixty(variation), Tripoli, Flora, Nymph, Cubine, Keeko, Poke Root, Poke Leaf.

This is a time consuming process. Not sure how if I will do this as a class and not sure how to structure it. Concerned that it did it in two or more classes not sure how would charge for it. Also not sure if many  would be willing to put that much time into it. I cannot do longer classes. 

Did notice that in doing the cutting, What I did on Tripoli, it really changed the way that the tangle looks. Probably better to use more organic or linear tangles when you do this. Have a couple of different size stencils. Do not have a 2" which would probably be better if doing more than one letter. May try making my own stencils by picking fonts on the computer, enlarging them and then tracing those. Will wait and see.  Nest will probably do with a little more traditional block letter.

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

Go Tangle !!

New Project: Tangled Letter

I really do not remember who the CZT was that originally posted this. The first time I saw it I thought it was great and wanted to try it. That was some time ago. I never gave up on it, I just did not work on it a lot. Part of that at first was that I did not know if I wanted to do the letter free hand or to use a stencil. I ultimately decided to use the stencils that I won in Genevieve Crabbe's give away. They are a 5" stencil. I used the letter for my first name, a D. I am not done with it yet as I have only completed tangling and coloring. I hope to complete the cutting out of sections soon but wanted to post what I had so far. Here it is. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used: Mooka, Rixty(variation),Tripoli, Flora, Nymph, Cubine, Keeko, Poke Root and Poke Leaf.

Colors where done with Prismacolor pencils. Some are layered and others are single colors. I used a blender on all of them.

Two things that I have to decide. One is what color matte I will use as a background and also what to cut out and what to leave. Will post when I have it completed. 

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

Go Tangle !!

Diva Challenge #233: "New Official Tangle - Zenith"

Guess I was a week ahead. I used Zenith in last week's challenge. May include that one in this post also. Do not like to use things that I have posted before. I wanted to do something different with it also. I was lazy and used what I had available so this is on a Renaissance tile. I wanted to try something different. It did not go as well as I planned. I got a little ambitious when I wanted to do two rows of circles instead of leaving it with one. That is where the problem occurred. In keeping with "no mistakes" and my practice of posting the first tile that I do, I pushed ahead. I really could not think of a way to incorporate what was there so I did the next best thing, Bronx Cheer. Even with that, it did not turn out too poorly. Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used: Hollibaugh, Zenith, Shattuck, Mooka, & Bronx Cheer.

Shading and highlighting done by layering colored pencils and white Prismacolor pencil.

Have only briefly looked at what others have done. Do not usually get mine done this early in the week so will probably check back through out the week to see what others have posted. Would encourage you to check out the posts at I am the Diva. Try it your self, even if you do not post it. I can tell you that part of the fun of participating is reading the comments that others make on your post. Not everyone comments, but there are a number of people who do.

I mentioned earlier that I might post last week's tile also. Here it is. Saves you the time to go back to an earlier post.

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

Go Tangle !!

Square One Focus Tangle: Mooka - More traditional

I decided to do another tile with Mooka today rather than try to squeeze it in later in the week. Actually, if I am honest about it, it also allowed me to avoid some tasks that I am not all that motivated to do read organize information for taxes. But I did enjoy doing this and it gave me some much needed shading practice. I think the shading is what makes the traditional Mooka so beautiful. Over all I am pleased with the way that this one turned out. I guess if I really wanted to be critical I could find things that I do not like but I am going to focus on the process. Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used: Mooka, Zinger, Keeko

Shading was done with the standard Zentangle® pencil.

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

Go Tangle !!

Square One Focus Tangle: Mooka - Gone Wild

This week's focus tangle on Square One FB is Mooka. This seems to be a tangle that people either really like or they really dislike it. I do not have a great relationship with it, but it is getting stronger. I think it is one that is a little more difficult to play with but that is exactly what I tried to do. I had done it before on a black tile. But that would not be an acceptable post on Square One. I have seen some very nice renditions of this tangle. Some have been in the traditional style. Meredith Yuhas is one of those. She just has a flair for this tangle. Have not seen one done by Shelly Beauchamp yet. She does some great looking things with this tangle also. If I have time, I may try to get a more traditional Mooka done later. Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used as embellishment: Crescent Moon, Stripes. Phicops, Hibred, Tipple, Meer, Ahh, Gneiss, & Diva Dance

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

Go Tangle !!

Diva Challenge #206: "Tools/Trade

This week's challenge is to use materials or tools that you do not usually use. Is a lot going on and was not even sure that I would have a chance to do something. Took a few moments last night and did something quickly. What I chose to do was use a new tool. When I did the ZAP program last fall I received a package of things from Sakura. One of the items was a set of Koi watercolor brush pens. I have never used them. Thought this would be the perfect opportunity to pull them out and see what could do. As I usually use the Microns was a challenge to keep some consistency with the brush tips. Did not turn out too bad except for the flux. Got a little heavy handed. Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

  

Tangles used: Zander, Flux. Mooka, Zinger, Chainlea

Not using my compuer, plus this is a scan, so took a while to get the picture so it was able to be seen. Not exactly the best, but cannot devote any more time to it.

I have not looked at what others have done. Maybe able to get to it later. If you have not, would encourage you to do so by going to I am the Diva and looking at all the art.

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

Go Tangle !!

Diva Challenge #197: "New Official Tangle - Arukas"

The Diva is back after a couple of weeks of guest posters. This week she chose to make the focus of the Challenge the new tangle released by Zentangle® headquarters. It was developed by Molly in appreciation of the many things that Sakura has done for, and with Zentangle.  I had recently used Arukas in a prompt for Square One. I also taught it in one of my classes so I was familiar with it.

I did want to do something different. I felt like I had gotten into a little bit of a rut in the type of tiles I did.  I think I was successful and probably for people who have seen more of my work, would agree. I really wanted something that was more free flowing and just doing different things. I was not trying to fill the entire tile. I just wanted to let things flow where they wanted to. While I felt I was successful with doing something different there are somethings that I am not sure about. Over all I am pleased with the results, I want to keep working on things like this. Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used: Arukas, Purk, Betweed, Mak-Rah-Mee, Mooka, Tipple, Fescu

Have not looked at what others have done this week. Hoping to have some time during the rest of the week to get to see them. Would encourage you also to go to I am the Diva and look at what others have done. I would also encourage you to try it yourself. 

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

Go Tangle !!

Diva Challenge #190: " Pink for Ardath" second tile

Was able to get this finished sooner than I thought. Have not used my gel pens for a while and that is what I used mostly in this tile. Is not quite as free flowing as I imagined in my mind but it turned out okay. Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

Tangles used: Nebel, Cadent, Mooka, Zinger

Nebel is a tangle from Sandy Steen Bartholemew's book Totally Tangled. 

I used Sakura Metallic gel pens and Stardust pens. They were both pink but was disappointed that the Stardust color does not show up well on the black tiles. It does show on white paper. Have not tried it on the Renaissance tiles, but thinking it will show up at least a little on those. I also used a white Prismacolor pencil for the highlighting and shading. 

Go to I am the Diva to see all the other great pieces of art. 

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

Go Tangle !!

Experimenting with Black tiles, White gel pens and Mooka

Was impressed, and inspired, by some of the Mookas that were part of the Diva Challenge. Like a lot of others, I can look at what I have done and am not totally satisfied with the results. Had some time so decided would work on a couple of  things. One was Mooka and the other was practicing working on the black tiles with white pens. Did not post this in the Diva Challenge as it is not a Duotangle. Did not include Auraknot.

This tile is really "out of the box" for me. When I have used Mooka, I have generally been pretty conservative. I wanted to push this a little and see what happened.  It really was an experiment in different ways that I could embellish Mooka without totally eliminating it. There was not anything original in my embellishments. I am sure that you have seen them in others work. They were however not things that I have tried before.  The only thing I was really conscious of as I was doing the Mooka was to make enough of a curve on the end. I did try to keep them a little consistent in width. I have always tended to put a larger "bulb" on the end of mine than some folks.

I remembered to take  at least two pictures of the process. Did not take pictures of what the original Mooka looked like. Figured that most people could make this out. It is one before shading and one after shading. This was done on a standard black Zentangle® tile.

Here is the one before shading

Not sure why, but to me this has a little bit of an aquatic feel to it. Was not intended.  

May have gotten a little carried away with the shading. I will let you decide. Most of the shading was done with General white chalk pencil. I also used a Fabrico grey marker in a couple of places. I wanted to go back to the Sakura to compare, as I have been using the Insignio more lately.  I used the medium nib for the basic lines, weighting and fill. I did not have any problems with it globbing. Like the Insignio, there were a few times that the ink did not flow as well and I had to go back over a line. I really was conscious about how I was using it. I do not remember if it was something that I heard from Rick & Maria, or someone else that mentioned it in a blog, but they said that you had to "tickle" the paper with the pen. This seemed to work well. That may have also caused some of the lighter cover at times if I had too little contact. I did not feel much pressure at all from touching the paper. 

Here it is with the shading. 

Over all I am pleased with the way that this turned out. There are a couple of embellishments that I am not thrilled with, but I figure that is the purpose of practice- to figure out what works and what doesn't.

I appreciate it if you have made it through this post. It is longer than what I usually do. I hope that some of the information I provided was useful as you experiment and work with black tiles, white gel pens, and of course Mooka. 

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

Go Tangle !!

Diva Challenge #172: Duotangle - Auraknot vs Mooka

Did not get a chance to do anything for last week's challenge. I like Duotangles, but some are more challenging than others. Like a lot of others, Mooka is a tangle that I use, but not always satisfied with the way that it turns out. Really tried to just let it flow. I think maybe I got carried away. I was not that dissatisfied with the way that the Mooka turned out, but I think that it got too busy with the lines and the Auraknot got hidden. Tried to help this with a some highlighting, but not sure how successful it was. Will not have time this week, but really need to do a little more work with the black tiles and white pens. I have not done any for a while. Forgot how tricky the shading and highlighting can be. I did enjoy doing this though, so that was a plus. Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.

Used an Insignio White Angelic Colour gel pen for this. I think this has a smaller nib than the other Insignia pen. Used a Zenstone to do the shading. 

If you have not all ready done so, would encourage to visit The Diva's blog and look at the other pieces submitted. I plan on trying to look at them. There are usually some really great pieces of art. 

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

Go Tangle !!

Diva Challenge #164: "Amanda (Earth) Day"

I was not exactly sure what to do with this week's Diva Challenge. My brain does not tend to work well on these types of challenges. After a little bit of thought I decided what I could do is finish the Organic Garden, ala Meredith Yuhas, that I had started. Was not sure if I was going to get it done or not. I had fun doing this. Still working on the highlighting and shading on the gray paper. Am pleased with the way that this turned out. I hope that you enjoy it.

Tangles used: Sanibelle, Dragonair, Mooka, Flux, Antidot, Poke Root, Poke Leaf, Scroll feather, Ahh, 'Nzeppel, Msst, Featherfall, Wist, Chainlea, Zinger, Angel Fish, & Fescu. 

  

I think I got the names of all the tangles that I used.

The highlighting and shading was done with a white chalk pencil, Prismacolor white wax pencil, and HB graphite pencil

I have to admit that I did sneak a peak at a couple of entries this week before I was finished with mine. Do not think that I was influenced by them. I hope to get a look at all the rest of the entries over the next several days. If you have not all ready done so would strongly recommend that you visit The Diva's blog and look at the other great posts.  

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

Go Tangle !!