Challenge #279 - Duotangle (almost) with Meer vs Auraknot

The Diva's Challenge this week asked us to do a Duotangle using Meer and Auraknot. Two old favorites that were fun to go revisit. I especially enjoyed checking out the Youtube Auraknot video with Rick and Maria. I tried to push the envelope a bit with my "star" shape, curves add a pleasant addition to Auraknot. Thanks Rick, Maria, and of course the lovely Diva!

Challenge #183 - UMT, X-Did" by Annette Carlo

X-Ing tangleations on ribbons of  Hollibaugh

This is the first Monday of the month and it's a Use My Tangle challenge. Annette Carlo has the featured tangle this month with "X-Did". It's a geometric pattern, which are not my favorite, but adding some geometric lines worked for me. I found it fascinating to play with this tangle and see where the tangleations would take me. It was much more enjoyable than I expected.

To see the step-outs for "X-did" by Annette Carlo, click here.

I tried to work with the basic structure of the tangle and  then stretch and bend the envelop a bit. Fun to look at and explore what those lovely little triangle shapes and overlapping lines can turn into.

V2 - X-Ing tangelation with some Beadz, floral
Purk pearls, Crescent moon loops and leaves

The first version seemed to work using lot's of overlapping ribbons of Hollibaugh, adding texture to the overlapping lines with X-Ding, some shading contrast and touches of Auraknot seemed to work well in the structure of this tile.

My second version I tried exploring the structure and it reminded me of a stained glass window, added some thickening and rounding in the style of Betweed, some floral accents, Black Beadz, Crescent loops, Purk Pearls, and organic leaf shapes. I tried to concentrate on the interaction of each tangle with the next to form a cohesive structure. It feels like a bejeweled crown with an art deco quality. Adding a few curves puts an interesting twist to this tangle.

Check out the other submissions for this week on the Diva's site.

V3 - X-Ing line play

Challenge #154 - Valentangle

The Diva's challenge for week #154 and she's all about Valentines Day. She asks us to create a Valentangle", great term, no? I chose to embrace hearts and of course red. My heart is a play on Maria's new tangle Aquafleur with some Knightsbridge stripes, lot's of hearts, and some Printemps with lot's of Auraknot texture. I used my wonderful Derwent Inktense pencils to add a touch of red and yummy texture with my white gel pen. I'm so pleased that my Printemp spirals magically turned into wonderful little rose bouquets when I added a wash of red to the centers.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all. Hope it's sweet and full of wonderful loving thoughts, hugs, and Zentangles!

Check out all the other wonderful work for this week's challenge at the Diva's site.

Zendala Dare Catch Up #20 - #22

Challenge #22
Monotangle: Variations of Arc Flower

Zendala Dare #21:
Tipple, Paradox, Assunta, Crescent Moon

Zendala Dare #20:
 Printemps, Auraknot, Tipple, Crosshatch,
some screws, and Spiky Wire 

I've been playing catch up with Erin's Zendala Dares. I find I start them but need to put them aside for a while and come back and revisit them. I'm not usually satisfied with my first attempt and it seems a little overwhelming, so I set it aside. When I come back to the piece, revisit it, I can dive back in and add shading and some line work and I'm satisfied with the results.

For Challenge #22 I was able to sit down and complete my piece in one sitting. I used the 3.5 inch tile size. Erin asked us to do a monotangle for this piece and I enjoyed taking the basic elements and deconstructing them and using them in a variety of sizes and variations. Arc Flower is a fun pattern and flows easily, thanks JJLaBarbera.

For challenges #20 and #21 I chose the large single Zendala template on a letter size sheet. For all the patterns that need to go into a piece I feel I need the space. It takes much longer but I do enjoy the process. I usually put my piece down for a couple of days and then revisit it, add more contrast and shading. With Zendalas I find I need more time and tend to do more versions. Maybe the process will get a little more refined but I'm enjoying the journey.

I work on a laptop and have discovered that I can use my laptop screen as a light table to transfer the template directly to my paper. I open up my laptop fully and then I have a flat surface light table. I make sure to use a very light touch when I trace so I don't damage my screen. This is the best technique for me because it keeps the organic feel to the template when I'm tracing free-hand rather than printing them out.  I'm a graphic designer and  pulled this technique out of my bag of tricks. For the larger Zendalas I use a heavyweight Velum bristol that works well with this tracing method. This also works on a regular computer monitor but doing the tracing on a 90 degree angle is a little more challenging.

Challenge #81 - Relay for Life Zendala

The Diva's Challenge #81 - was guest hosted by Erin Olsen, CZT of Bright Owl. She hosts the Zendala weekly challenges and presented a Zendala template based on Relay for Life. A great cause in the fight against cancer. Such a wonderful and worthy cause. I was up North at a friend's place this past week and internet was iffy and no scanner so I didn't get posted in time. When I got back late Saturday night there was a storm and my cable, internet, and phone were off.

Betweed, Beadz, Leaves, Auraknot, spirals, and more...

Because we were up north with no printer or scanner, I had to  free-hand  the template Erin provided. Wonky is my middle name, but I like the final results of my template interpretation. I concentrated on keeping my Zendalla light, open, and organic. The shading and lines were my focus. Erin's template allows wonderful flow and connection. The connection we all have in the fight against this devistating disease!

I felt leaving the open areas felt like the gaps left in our live's by loved ones who are gone. I lost my mother to lung cancer in 1996. I miss her and this week vacationing and sharing stories with old friends brought up a lot of stories and memories of our mothers. There was lot's of laughter and sharing and it was wonderful to share and remember family stories. My mother was a character and an amazing strong woman. She was challenging and could drive me crazy, but she was the person in my life that I knew loved me unconditionally and I dearly miss her.

This challenge also made me realize I need to concentrate on Zendalas much more. I've dipped my toe into the Zendala process but full immersion is necessary. I'd like to start presenting Zendala's classes in the future. Onward and upward in my Zentangle/CZT journey. Thanks for the boost Erin and a wonderful cause!

Challenge #78 - New Official Tangle: Auraknot

This week's Diva challenge asks us to try Auraknot, the new Zentangle tangle from Rick and Maria. I've practiced this one a lot and really enjoy the flow. Rick and Maria sent out and announcement newsletter to start off this tangle. They put out  a call for deconstruction and names we thought would be appropriate for this new tangle.

Now that I've done it a million times (see previous post), I love it! It has the feel and requires the concentration and practice of Paradox. In this version, I added the Sakura clear sparkle gel pen between the
auras" to add a little "bling". Doesn't come off very effectively when scanned, but it's fun to hold this tile in my hand and see the sparkle.

We were playing with the Sakura metallic and clear sparkle gel pens this weekend in my Zentangle basics class up north. I was very impressed with what the participants created with these gel pens so I Incorporated it into my tile. I do want to work on a black tile with this same process.

I played with overlapping the lines to create a stained glass effect. Not perfect, but it has possibilities.

My second version for this challenge morphed into a Zendala, sort of. A little wonky and wobbly but I still like it. I've purchased some of the Zendala tins for my classes and haven't done many myself. I may have to dive into Erin Olson's (Bright Owl) Zendala Dare and start playing! I love my tiles but it's time to branch/circle out!


Auraknot Zendala Sort of