Weekly Challenge #74: "String Theory v. X: Eccentric Circles"

Finally had a quiet Monday to tangle.  Been fishing and making jewelry.  This challenge was a fun one to come back to.  Enjoy my take on the Diva Challenge...I look forward to seeing all of yours!

Weekly Challenge #70: "Colour me Sepia"

This Diva Challenge was about using brown or sepia in the design.   I mostly stick with black and white, so a little bit of sepia was fun to add to this ZIA. 

Weekly Challenge #68: "DuoTangle v.IV: Hybrid/Strircles"

This weeks Diva Challenge combines two tangles...Hybrid and Strircles.  The really challenging part is to use only these two tangles.  What was harder for me was that I really like swirly tangles.  It didn't help that my teacup chihuahua - Zoey decided that the only place she was comfortable was on my lap.  She is so sweet, but it's really hard to draw lines with a tiny little klingon trying to sleep on your arm.  Finally got one finished without her help.  Can't wait to see everyone's challenge!

Honey and Zoey - Mother and Daughter!  My creative consultants.

Weekly Challenge #67: "Amanda Day"

This weeks Diva challenge is to honor Earth Day.  Her son Chewie has renamed the Earth - he now calls it Amanda!  So...this week I will be using one of the new Zendala tiles.  This will be interesting to see all the different ways we interpret "Amanda Day".  Personally I love all plants and trees...maybe I'll do mine in shades of green and blue.  Thank you to Chewie for his take on Earth Day!  Happy Tangling to All.

4 in 1 Swap

This is from a recent swap from the Zentangle Inspired Art Yahoo group.  We each did a large tangle the size of 4 ATC's using the same string .  These were returned to the swap host - Cindy Fleming, who cut them into individual ATC's.  One of our originals was returned to us along with art from three other traders.  Starting in the top left corner from Anita Ruby, then Kristy Speer and Patty Meijer, then mine in the bottom left corner.  This was awesome.  Thank you to Cindy F, Anita, Kristy and Patty.  Sure hope we do this one again.

This is my original.  What a difference!!

Weekly Challenge #66: Laura's Auras

This weeks Diva challenge is to place "Auras" around your tangle.  Draw the tangle and then place the aura around it.  A simple line...but it makes a big difference in the way the tangle plays on the tile.  As always my challenge is done in a 4 x 6 drawing journal.  A little bit more work, but I love the extra space.  I don't know if anyone has given it a name, but the little loop that I add in the dips...I call it "Sseedz" 'cause it reminds me of Strawberry seeds! Glad to hear that Artoo is on the mend.  It is truly heartbreaking when little ones aren't well.  

Wishing everyone a great week!

 

Steampunk

Magic of Life

Weekly Challenge #65: "UMT v.III"

This is the third installment of UMT or Use My Tangle.  UMT #3 is Huggy Bear by JJ LaBarbera.  I can't wait to get started on this one...so coffee first, then tangling!  Such a great way to start the week! 

Huggy Bear with some extra hugs!  Also included another tangle of JJ's - Allium.  This one certainly helped to get me through a difficult morning.  Wishing everyone who reads this a great Monday and a super week!

Weekly Challenge #64: String Theory v. VIII "Fortuneteller"

This is a String Theory challenge.  A common string is used by everyone.  The string is drawn from corner to corner, then again through each section.  The Diva says, "I called this challenge the Fortuneteller, because the string reminds me of those paper fortune tellers I used to make as a kid."  Drawn correctly you will create eight sections of triangles!  My challenges are not on tiles, but done directly into a spiral drawing pad, so will not be square.  

Wow...this was fun!  Of course I had to extend the boundaries, some tangles just seem to have a mind of their own.  Now to go outside and work in the gardens...it's not just the flowers that enjoyed all the rain.  The weeds grow faster than you can get them plucked out of the ground.

 

Event Trigger

Memory Triggers

Started this and didn't have a clue where it was going.  I have some pretty awesome memories of my grandma.  This really brought them back.  I could almost taste the frycakes buried in fresh creamery butter...the real stuff.  So this tangle is dedicated to her...miss her every day.

"I Won't Stand For:"

Putting this into words...was harder than I thought it would be.  Picking out which tangle to explore was the easy part.  
 

Are There Perfect Zentangles?

Weekly Challenge #63: New Official Tangle "Fengle"

This tangle pattern is so much fun!!  Tried my hand at it before I saw the instructions.  Much easier when you see it deconstructed.  Can't wait to get started.  Went to Baton Rouge this weekend with my husband for his company banquet.  Had a really good time.  It's funny how everyday things turn into tangle patterns now.  The banquet was at the Camelot Club, which is at the top of the Chase building.  The Chase is but a stones throw from the Mississippi River.  After dinner we were treated to a spectacular view.  The lights from the bridge and barges was amazing.  You can see a lot when you are 21 floors up.  Lots of ideas for tangle patterns!  Driving back by way of the Atchafalaya Basin...everything here is already green.  The Cherokee Roses are in full bloom and there is Wisteria everywhere.  There were strawberries for sale along the roadside just outside of Des Almondes!  Didn't buy any...bought some last year to make wine.

Weekly Challenge #62: Spiral Vs Paradox

Weekly Challenge #62: Spiral Vs Paradox

The challenge is to use spiral together with paradox. Your basic string should be a spiral and tangled with paradox. More than one spiral string can be used.*

This should be a lot of fun!  I love spirals and paradox.  I have to do some actual work before I can begin the challenge.  This mornings work consists of making a crystal and silver rosary for one of our customers.  I have neglected my bead work in favor of tangling and now must return to it.  Making something special for someone like today's rosary is pure pleasure.  It is such a personal thing, a rosary.  It will be a gift from a wife to her husband before they leave on vacation.   
It's been a busy week so far...finally finished the challenge piece.  Since I really enjoy these two tangle patterns I started several and here is the one that got finished.  Was trying for something whimsical and fun.  Now I can go look at all the others...

 

Weekly Challenge #61: "UMT v.II"

So!
Using the random number generator, this week's tangle comes to us from Mariët, called GOLVEN, which is the Dutch word for waves..

Which is about how I feel this morning...after driving for two days.  I drove through some beautiful country over the last two days.  Highway 80 thru Alabama and Georgia.  Rolling hills (waves), beautiful countryside, cows, cows and more cows.  Passed through miles of blueberry farms and several vineyards.  On the outskirts of one small town there was a field with burned out trees just filled with buzzards!  There had to have been at least 50 very large birds all come home to roost for the night.  I had never seen so many buzzards in one place before. 

I have played with Golven a few times and find it a very relaxing and elegant tangle and look forward to posting my challenge.  I am tempted to look at the other challenges that have been posted (just a peek), but will wait until mine is finished.  See you all later!

I'm not quite packed and ready to go.  Laundry...in progress.  Food and drinks...in progress.  Tangling...working on the ZIA Weekly Journal.  Trying to relax.  Not looking forward to driving by myself.  Oh yeah...Car...Toyota Corolla...Dark Blue...really awesome.

Weekly Challenge #60: DuoTangle v.III "Cirquital/Munchin

This was an interesting challenge in that only two tangles were used.  Cirquital and Munchin.  I hadn't tried either one so a little bit of practice was called for.  I still don't think I've got it right, but this will do.  I will certainly keep using both of these tangles in the future.  One think I know for sure is that Munchin is compelling...once you start, it just kind of goes on forever.   Enjoy.

2012 ZIA Journal

Here is the cover art for my weekly ZIA Journal.  This should be an interesting and inspiring project.
Sometimes when I sit down in the evening to unwind I just can't decide where to start.  That's what is so compelling about doing the Diva Challenge and joining swaps.  It gives a sense of direction...a theme.  I'm looking forward to getting started and looking down the road to new tangles and new challenges.


Reflections...

Spirals...

SNOW...

Weekly Challenge #59: "Mardi Gras"

Mardi Gras...Fat Tuesday!  Awesome.  Here on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, we're half way between New Orleans and Mobile Alabama.  Since right after Christmas (to some it starts at Twelfth Night) we've been immersed in everything Carnival.  Every  town worth it's salt has a parade (or two) and a Ball.  Today (Monday) is Lundy Gras.  Big Parades today and tomorrow.  No school for the children!  

Ever wonder about the history of the official Mardi Gras colors?. Rex selected the official Mardi Gras colors in 1872. The 1892 Rex Parade theme Symbolism of Colors gave meaning to the colors. 

Purple Represents Justice. Green Represents Faith. And Gold Represents Power.

 So as we say here in the Sassy South... "Laissez les bon temps rouller"  or... Let the good times roll!  My challenge piece is all about the feel and colors of Mardi Gras.

 

  

These are ATC's for a recent trade called Masks, and since they are Mardi Gras themed...I thought they kind of went along with the challenge.

 

Spoolz

When you're working on a new tangle and get lost, or turn left instead of right, you sometimes end up with something new.  I was working on Warped Eggs and got really lost.  It was the last piece in the  cover for a little album.   In my attempts to fix it "Spoolz" was born.  Thank you to Livia Chua for the awesome and intense Warped Eggs.  I hope you'll like the new tangle pattern.

Here is the step by step on how to make Spoolz.  Have fun!

This is the album cover.  Spoolz has some filled in spaces and a little color.

This is Spoolz more open.

Another variation of Spoolz.

Happy Valentines Day

To my family and friends...these tangles are for you.  You are all very special to me.

 

Weekly Challenge #58: Diamonds

This was an interesting challenge.  Lots of possibilities for diamond shapes.

Cover Artwork/Trade Journal

Found this nice journal in the trading stamp section of wally world...of course it had to have a tangled cover.  My new motto..."Leave nothing Un-Tangled!"

Dollar Store Frame!

Found this cute little frame at the Dollar Store!  Added some black paper and some tangles...

Snowflake Zendala

I've only done a few tangles on black paper...but after the snowflakes, I'm hooked. 

The top snowflake was totally freehand, the bottom one is more geometrical.

This one is done on dark blue/another geometrical with tangles added.

Practic, Practice and more Practice.

It's a funny thing about tangling...the more you do, the more you want to do.  Each time that I add my initials to the bottom of a finished piece I can hardly wait to start a new one.  There are a lot of really talented people coming up with new tangles every day.  Here are a few of my latest tangles.  Enjoy and be sure to leave your comments!

This was really fun...I love Snaylz Trayl!

This was the first time I used my own tangle called Warts and Wobbles!

Warts and Wobbles

Weekly Challenge #57: "UMT v. I"

This one was pure fun!  I've always liked Sanibelle, it has great versatility and is one of those tangles that just seems to float off the pen.  In this one I have added my Warts and Wobbles followed by Msst, Sanibelle, Bales.  Then there is Snaylz Trayl, Inapod, another Sanibelle and Fern on the right side.  Fun, fun and more fun.  Can't wait to see all the entries.  I force myself not to peek until after my challenge is posted. 

Weekly Challenge #56: "Non Dominatrix* v.2"

Okay!  When I read the challenge for this week...I said Forget. About. It.   Then my inner crazy person said...Why. Not.  So here it is warts, wobbly lines and all.  Remembering the spirit of a challenge.  This one is done using Micron 01 and 05 Black and Micron 05 Green in my brand new challenge notebook...sigh!
 

Happy Anniversary!

I've been married to the most wonderful man for the last 16 years...Today!  He loves me for who I am right now...and that is so special.  He always believes that I can do anything.  When I sit down each evening with my pens and paper to tangle, I can sometimes hear him snoring from the bedroom.  I thank the Lord for this man.  Every time I begin a new craft...he just smiles and knows that he's going to be running to the Post Office to pick up a package filled with new things for me to play with.  The tangles were such a surprise...I really can't draw a thing!  The simplicity of the tangles...the step-by-step ness of it...makes it fun and easy and just plain beautiful.  So...thank you Al!  Looking forward the next 116 years!!!

Weekly Challenge #55 "String Theory v. VIII: Moebius Trip"

After adding my first mobius to the challenges, I felt it was necessary to make another one.  This one puts the tangles on the outside of the design...

Weekly Challenge #55 "String Theory v. VIII: Moebius Trip"

What a great challenge! 

Purple Haze

Thank you Diva for sharing Artoo's story with us.  Reminds us to take nothing for granted and to appreciate the smallest things!

Spider Mums...

The mums that I rescued back in November were trimmed and set aside waiting for the weather to warm up.  I sort of forgot about them and noticed last week that they had grown about six inches.  Now there are mounds of green sprouting out of the once brown stems...   No brown stems here, just some spider mums looking for warmer days!

Harley Davidson ZIA

Finally finished the HD Logo for my brother.  Will take a break from the bigger pieces for awhile.  This one has taken me about a week to finish.  I enjoy doing the Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA) because it takes longer to finish and you can incorporate a lot into it.  But, I just got 2 new books and want to practice some new tangles.  Thanks to my wonderful family I have lots of inspiration for new ZIA's.  Tiff wants a Tiger, Mikey wants a monkey, Julie a giraffe and Josh wants an Osprey...not the bird of prey, but the aircraft that he works on.  Enjoy the Harley Davidson...