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



Zentangle Zealots Unite!



My Zentangle Flag
Printemps, Shattuck, Zenplosion Folds (of course),
Sanibelle, Tipple, Pearlz, Crescent Moon, Knightsbridge,
Keeko, Verdigogh, Leaves, Mooka, and Pods - lot's of stuff!

 This week was the 4th of July and I spent some time up north with my sister Nancy and her husband Butch. I came up to visit but also to teach a class in Grayling at the AuSable Artisan Village Art Center Gallery. My sister Nancy is a jewelry artist and is very involved in the gallery. That gave me the opportunity to visit and teach, two of my favorite things.

A great time was had by all and, hopefully, new Zentangle Zealots joined our legion! They all created wonderful tiles. I've included a short video that we took during class (see below) disclaimer: We're not professionals but the IPhone video let's us pretend... you'll get the idea of the class!

I've also been inspired to create a flag to display at my classes. Janee Mackugler, fellow CZT, inspired me when I saw her flag displayed on her blog. It's a wonderful oppportunity to combine material and the tangling process.

I worked directly on white cotton sateen fabric. I ironed freezer paper to the back of the fabric for support. It's almost like drawing on paper once the freezer paper is applied. The freezer paper stiffens it and allows for a more stable surface to create with my wee crafty fingers and micron pens! I added shading with a pencil and then set it with the iron once I completed each section. Janee shared that she used fabricon grey markers for her shading so I may try that on my next flag.

I found a great stick to use as my "hanger" for the flag on a walk in the woods up at my sister's place. They have a beautiful spot on the AuSable river with lots of trees, flora, and fauna. The perfect "shopping place" for beautiful sticks. I love incorporating nature in my art!

The flag is still a work in progress, I think when it's finished I'll back it with a nice muslin to give it a little substance and create a little pocket at the top for my stick hanger. The binder clips are a nice touch but I thought I'd go the extra mile since I put a bazillion hours into this creation. But it will be more than worth it when done.

Thanks Janee for the inspiration!

Challenge #77 - UMT v. VI "Fiore di Pietro" - Peter's Flowers

This weeks challenge for the Diva's challenge is #77. She asks us to Use My Tangle (UMT) for this month and it is called "Fiore di Pietro". This tangle was developed in tribute to CZT Rho Densmore,'s brother-in-law, Peter, who suddenly passed away this month.

This tangle has a wonderful rythm and lends itself to many tangelations and possibilities. I enjoyed this tangle and I'm sure I will use it again soon. I would like her to use my tile if she wishes.

My version went a little organic and swirly, I do like the results. I also used Printemps, Betweed, Paradox, Beads, Float Fest, and Quabog.

The Sailing Ship

What is dying?

I am standing on the seashore.

A ship sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean.

He is an object and I stand watching him

Till at last he fades from the horizon,

And someone at my side says, “He is gone!” Gone where?

Gone from my sight, that is all;

He is just as large in the masts, hull and spars as he was when I saw him,

And just as able to bear his load of living freight to its destination.

The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me, not in him;

And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “He is gone”,

There are others who are watching him coming,

And other voices take up a glad shout,

“There he comes” – and that is dying.

-- Bishop Charles Henry Brent

This poem gave my sister's and me such comfort when my mother died we used "she" but the message is the same. Powerful and comforting. My thoughts are with Rho and her family.

Catch Up Challenge #73 - #74 - UMT V Bridgen and String Theory X Eccentric Circles

I'm way behind on my Challenges, so playing catch up. Here is Challenge #73 "Use My Tangle" Bridgen, and Challenge #74 String Theory X with eccentric circles.

Bridgen is designed by Carol Ohl's partner Dave. I also used, the yet-to-be-named tangle by Rick and Maria. I'm calling it Knot-wot but that's just my take on it. I can hardly wait to see what they name it... coming soon!

I used Brigden, Betweed, Hollibaugh, Tipple, (Knot-wot)?, and Paradox in this version.

New, Yet-to-be-named, Zentangle Tangle

Rick and Maria of Zentangle came out with a new tangle. They presented lovely tile samples to view and digest. The challenge was to name this new tangle and try to deconstruct it in 8 steps or less. The winner wins a set of Zentangle coasters. Check out the Zentangle blog and the samples.

To me, this tangle has the feel of Paradox, Hollibaugh, Hurry, and Hibred. A wonderful combination of all 4. Fun to do, but you need all your faculties involved to complete this lovely new tangle. It has the feel of a Celtic knot and I found myself doing a lot of "What?" as I was trying to learn this tangle. I'm thinking it should be called Knot-wot.

My efforts are much more wonky and organic looking but I still like them.

Jeanne Kero, a fellow CZT and Zentangle Zealot won the challenge.  Jeanne is the one who exposed me to the wonderful world of Zentangle and was my coheart in crime last May when we went to CZT training in Massachusettes. We had a wonderful inspirational time in Whittinsville and our Zentangle journey began!

Jeanne deconstructed it beautifully and won the challenge. Check out her new blog and her deconstruction step-out of this tangle that she is calling "Cheeky".  Her directions helped me to feel comfortable in the creation of this new, yet-to-be-named, tangle.

I did many versions of this tangle and came up with two that I actually was pleased with. The first using the "dot" deconstruction method that several people presented to create the tangle and then connecting the dots.

The second is a much more curvaceous rendition of this tangle using Jeanne's deconstruction directions. I really enjoy whatever we call it and look forward to using it in the future, OFTEN!

Challenge #72: "Tangleation Nation - Crescent Moon"

This week's Diva challenge asks us to do a monotangle using only Crescent Moon and applying as many tangelations as we care to, what fun! When I look at Crescent Moon, it's all about the shapes and the auras that enhance that shape.

My last Basic Zentangle class we were working on Crescent Moon so this was a timely challenge.

I cheated a bit and used, not my tangle, but a beauty that uses the basics of the Crescent Moon process Allium by JJLaBarbera, a great tangle for contrast. My first tangleations reminds me of an army of Crescent Mooner's, I really enjoy the leaf shapes down to the Diamonds. Fun, lot's of variety, a good exercise this week

Challenge #71 - New Tangle - Pea-Nuckle

The Diva's challenge this week (#71) is to use the brand spanking new Zentangle tangle Pea-nuckle designed by Holly, Rick and Maria's daughter.

I found this tangle a little challenging, I was bothered by the extra curve formed by my "s" shapes but after looking at the Diva's tangle examples more closely, I realized that's part of the tangle, who knew? I also looked at the direction once and thought I could work from memory. Why did I think that would work this time? Insanity is...

Anyway I completed this tile and realized I left out the middle portion. Whoops, thank goodness I left the negative space pure black and was able to add the missing "appendages" with white gel pen. There are no mistakes in the Zentangle process, just some opportunities. I enjoy the final outcome and the process.

For this tile I used a good toothy heavy-weight paper I found with grey specs. I often stop by the "Scrap Box", an Ann Arbor, MI recycling place offering lot's of stuff people would normally throw out. It's a great place to find paper and other neat items for craft projects. I found this paper for $1.00 per inch. I try to stop by at least once a month to see if they have any great finds on paper.