Diva Challenge 97 No Strings Attached

The challenge this week - create a Zentangle or ZIA without using the string to get started.  Since I mostly work without a string it didn't feel all that challenging until I decided to mix it up a bit and impose a few other challenges for myself.  Decided to work up something using some of the steampunk images and patterns I've been seeing others use.  Talk about being outside one's comfort zone.  Did find a few patterns that I liked but not sure how to put it all together so just put pen to paper and got going.  Another way I challenged myself - shade using gray pens instead of pencil.  I think it has possibilities but will need more practice with a variety of pens.  When I scanned the it the shading looks like I just drew wider lines - can't really see that it's gray.  The scan produced an image that was very black and white - too much white and not enough contrast - looked very boring and blah so dropped it into picmonkey and added some texture.  Very different way of working on a challenge.  Not sure it's my favorite but it's not all bad either.

No Strings Attached

click image for larger view - if you dare with this one lol!

Diva Challenge #66 - Laura's Auras

 The challenge this week - read about it here - is to play with the Zentangle embellisment Auras, using either tangles that incorporate auras or to use auras to enhance your Zentangle.  As an added challenge for myself I wanted to use tangles that do not have auras as part of the design and I wanted a tangle that would have a straight line aura.  I started out with BB as the main tangle - I kept trying to keep it small but after a few attempts I just let it grow however it wanted and then filled in with a bit of Keeko.  Considering the size of BB this one might have worked better for the Biggify Challenge a few weeks ago!

Laura's Auras

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A note about the framing - no I didn't actually frame it with a matte.  I use an online photo editor (no interest in Photoshop) to clean up my scans and to resize them.  I had used Picnik for years and was very disappointed when Google (who purchased it about a year ago) decided to shut it down.  I've been testing out a few alternatives - most were OK but none as good as Picnik - until recently that is.   Seems a few of the former Picnik folks have started a new endeavor called PicMonkey  It's still in beta- more features to come. It's free and I'm sold but I will gladly pay for it if they offer a premium version.   That's a long explanation for how I came to frame this challenge tile.

One of the features is the ability to add frames - I usually just add a simple thin black frame and round the corners but today I wasn't liking the way it looked - with  BB being so prominent it just seemed very harsh.  I played with the different frame options - while BB is still large using the Museum Matte frame option seems to tone it down a bit.

Diva Challenge #65 UMT v.III

The first Monday of the month challenge is UMT (use my tangle). The Diva selects a tangle created by another zentangle enthusiast. This week's tangle is Huggy Bear from JJ LaBarbera. Instructions for the tangle are located here.

Huggy Bear Sampler

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I have not used this specific pattern before however it's based on the official tangle pattern Huggins which I do enjoy using so laying out the grid was not a problem. The real challenge was in deciding what to do next. So may different possibilities it was hard to pick just one - so I didn't - created a sampler instead.

Diva Challenge #61: UMT v.II

This is the second installment of UMT (Use My Tangle).  Anyone is free to submit a tangle pattern, within the guidlines.  On the first Monday of the month Laura randomly chooses one of the home-made tangles.  The challenge is to learn the new tangle and use it in a Zentangle or ZIA.

This week's tangle comes to us from Mariët, called GOLVEN, which is the Dutch word for waves..  you can find instructions for her tangle here.

Golven

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Tangles: Golven, 'Nzeppel, Printemps, Msst and ???

The pattern inside Golven going around 'Nzeppel is one I've been working out for awhile.  I'll post directions once I refine it a bit more and come up with a name.

Diva Challenge 60 DuoTangle v.III

The challenge - use only the two tangle patterns  Cirquital found here and Munchin, found here

Definitely a challenge but a fun one.  I've used Munchin quite a bit but Cirquital not so much.  It's finished for now but I think it still needs something - just not sure what - maybe some white dots on the black or more shading.  Any suggestions?

click image for larger view