Challenge #122 - Grid (un)Locked

My Grid (un)locked hope all
the little tangles play well
together!

Laura bases her Diva challenge for week #122 on Rick and Maria's Zentangle Newsletter posting that focuses on using the grid in a new exciting way! Check out their post This takes the elements of the Zentangle process to the basic element of one square.

I really enjoyed the process and tried to focus on each square and how it played off the corresponding square. It was a great way to focus on "honoring the tangle". I always try to connect my tangles and play off whatever line, element, thingy is the connecting point and interacts with it's fellow tangle. I think it brings a wonderful cohesion to the final piece. Just like a pebble leaves a ripple in the water that continues but changes as it reacts with elements in it's path. There is still that connection but it changes.

For me, it's the ultimate in the Zen experience. It helps with concentration, interaction, and being aware of all the elements on the page.  It's how tangles talk to each other, the conversation continues, and changes, but when they all follow the basic thread creating a harmonious song!

My grid became a small wallhanging with baubles and beads, very fun. I hope this ZIA sings or at least hums!

Thanks Rick and Maria and Laura for a great challenge. Check out all the wonderful creations for this challenge on the Diva's site.

I did a second version continuing my exploration on the Index-card-a-day study. Tried some Tripoli, B4, C5, D1,  Mooka, and contrast, connection studies.

Green index card
Version two

Final version one with my grid studies
What a fun process!

Challenge #121 - Use My Tangle 17 - Birds on a Wire and Bales

Bird on a Wire, Orbs, Knightsbridge, Float Fest, and Pearlz

The Diva's UMT Challenge #121 uses the new Bird on a Wire tangle created by Mary Kissel, CZT. Its a cute little tangle and I found the spiral version the most fun to do.

I used a small yellow index card for this challenge. I ran across the index-card-a-day challenge so I thought I'd try combining the two. The cards have a surprisingly nice surface and accepts the micron pen well.

I also added my index card version of last weeks Challenge #120 Bales. Crazy week so just doing a little catch up.  Used a purple index card for Bales.

Bales variations with Florz, leaves, auras, and stuff...

 

Challenge #119 - Ebony and Ivory

Center (black Kooty Catcher) attached,
closed

Center (black Kooty Catcher) attached, partially opened -
you can peek on the inside

Center (black Kooty Catcher), attached to top.
fully opened, lying flat

The Diva's challenge this week #119 asked us to deal with Black (Ebony) and White (Ivory) and tried to have equal amounts of both in our tile. Laura suggested using high contrast tangles like Knightbridge, Alium, etc. Those which have strong contrast between light and dark. Thats one way to do it. I chose to emulate Maria Thomas' current Zentangle block post using black and white tiles. Check it out, it's phenomenal!

I folded a black card stock square in the old "Kooty Catcher" fashion for the center, laid it on my white tile and outlined it loosely. I am okay with the fact that it's not perfectly aligned on the white tile, my "process" can be seen.

I then tangled my white tile leaving the outline center square blank. I used Paradox for the corners and then a curvey, undulating Muchin tangleation, and a little Tipple for texture.

I then worked on the black: layed it on my white tile fully opened and flat, and kept lifting the corners to reference the tangles underneath. After the center (inside) of the black was complete, or at least outlined with the white gel pen, I closed my catcher and completed the closed version referencing and continuing the tangles from the white tile onto the black.

I didn't glue it down till it was complete so the reference is not perfect, it moved, but I really love the results and it was a learning process. I used a few pieces of double-sided tape to attach the Kooty Catcher to the center of the white tile.

Once I got everything basically drawn and lined up I went back in and added shading (graphite on the white tile) and white pencil on the black. It's not perfect but it was an exciting and totally Zen experience. I Loooove it! (if I do say so myself). I'm definitely going to do this again and try to align it perfectly. This was my first version so I have so many other versions to come, no?

I'm going to try and get some pictures with my camera to show the dimension. I scanned the first three views so the flatbed doesn't do the 3-D aspect any justice.

showing completed tiles separately; front and back of black tile

Scanned in tile with black catcher opened
I hope you can sort of see the inside and the 3-D effect

Challenge #118 - Use My Tangle Featuring Kuke and Zendala Dare #57

This week's Diva Challenge #118 is a UMT (Use My Tangle) features Kuke, created by Katy Abbot, CZT. She came up with this tangle after finding a shriveled cucumber slice on the kitchen floor after her daughter dropped it the night before, oh how our minds work! It's a nice curvy organic tangle, so we were instantly friends.

I took the opportunity to check out the Bright Owl's Zendala Dare #57 this week which is being hosted by Geneviève Crabe. She features one of her templates created using her Zendala stencils. Check it out, there is a give away this week!

So, I decided Genevieve's template as a string for this weeks challenge. I played loosey goosey with the Zendala template AND this new tangle, Kuke.

Wedding Celebration

Two dear friends got married yesterday,
it was a lovely celebration.
Here's to you Janet and Rusty!

Challenge #117 - The New Official Tangle Schway

Version 1 - Schway with Hollibaugh

The Diva's challenge for the first Monday of the month features Rick Roberts new tangle "Schway" which was released by Rick and Maria this week.

This is a very structured, symetrical tangle that doesn't come naturally to me, OG (Organic Gal) that I am. I used this tangle in last week's challenge, so I was feeling pretty comfortable using it. Even though my version is not measured and perfectly spaced it works, very fun, versatile tangle. I tried to make this tangle flow and go with the banner curves, it really helped give a 3-D quality to my tile.

It was fun to play with different tangleations and embellishments with this new tangle. Hollibaugh seemed like a good accompaniment for this tangle, they "play well" together!

Version 2 - Schway Landscape with Mooka, can you see the little folk?

I did a second version of Schway and the curve looks like a landscape, so added some Schway houses and blue sky, I think it's going to be a bookmark. Tangles: Schway tangleations, Mooka, Paradox, Tipple, BTL Jooz, and Beadz with little fun folk and Schway houses. Size 3.5 x 8.5" with black micron pen, Derwent Watercolor pencils, and graphite

Challenge #116 - Blind Sighted

#116 Knightsbridge, Mooka Leaves, Schway, Betweed, Tipple,
Aura Knot / Celtic Knot , Beadz, and Quabog

Laura Harms Diva challenge for this week, #116 is revisiting the blind string challenge. It, on the one hand, makes it easier since we have no control over the "string" creation, we just close our eyes and scribble, or let it flow. On the other hand it puts those of us who need to control in a tail spin. I'm a go with the flow gal on this, didn't really like the initial blind string outcome. When I close my eyes my string is verrrry small, so when I opened my eyes and saw how small it had come out I closed my eyes and added one more loop. Not cheating, right?

Fun challenge, I don't think I'll use this string again, but it was an enjoyable process. I let the string "guide me" not hold me hostage.

I used the new tangle Schway by Rick Roberts, my version is a tangelation, but it holds true to the basics of the tangle.

#116 - Blind string overlay

I then added Knightsbridge, Mooka Leaves (my tangelation), Betweed, Tipple, Aura Knot / Celtic Knot  (sort of - focus on the knot/snarl!),
Beadz, and Quabog.

I'm working on a new "chop" for my signature. I really love MT's new circular signature initials which inspired me to try something different.

A lot going on in this ZIA, but as always, I enjoyed the process. I am going to try to incorporate tangles that are new to me in my work. I love using my comfort tangles which Maria calls "mac 'n cheese" tangles (thanks Maria) but I also want to stretch myself, so I'm committing to getting out of my comfort zone.

I'm also showing my second version of last week's Earth / Amanda challenge. I tried to have it done by Saturday evening but life got in the way. The ZIA I posted last week used color and was more representational/illustrative, so I decided to go back and use my basic string for the Earth Day challenge and Zentangle Inspire / tangle it in black and white (Purist that I am)!

Earth/ Amanda Day - Challenge #115 Version 2 - Zentanglized (Black and White)
Munchin, Leaves, Florz, Hybrid, Beadz, Tipple, Auras,
Sea and Mountain (mine), Stars, and some waves