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!

Zendala Dare #10

To participate or view other entries for the Zendala Dares visit The Bright Owl

What do you know, I'm getting this week's dare posted before the last minute and I'm finally caught up with completing past dares.  While I do enjoy working on the Zendalas, the process is different from a standard Zentangle.   The symmetry of the Zendala templates presents a different challenge.  Instead of just winging it with selecting patterns as I would with a standard tile, I've completed the first 10 staying true to a symmetry with the patterns.  Seems to require a bit more thinking and planning.  That's not a bad thing just different.  There are no rules so I could go free form just have not allowed myself to do that yet.  It's interesting that I would notice and maybe find this a bit "nudgy" since I very much like balance and symmetry.  Just one of the ways that Zentangle has changed things up for me?

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Zendala Dare #10

Zendala Dare #6

Zendala Dare #7

Zendala Dare #8

Zendala Dare 2

Find the Zendala Dare at The Bright Owl  Just enough time this week to finish one of the templates for the Zendala Dare - and experiment with another framing option at PicMonkey

Zendala Dare #2

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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.

Zendala Dare

A fellow CZT Erin announced on her blog a new weekly project - Zendala Dare. The short version - every Friday she will post a new Dare with guidelines and a set of templates - one suitable for a Zentangle tile, one for the new round Zendala tiles and one for full sheet 8 1/2" x 11". Similar to the Diva Challenge you will be able to add a link to your creations. To kick off the first dare she's also giving away a set of the new Zendala tiles. Read the full details for the Dare and how to enter the giveaway here on her blog The Bright Owl

Zendala Dare #1

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For some reason both scans are a bit tilted - not sure if it's operator error or something about the scanner. Will tackle that another day.

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 #64 - String Theory v. VIII - Fortuneteller

For the String Theory challenges everyone uses the same string. The name fortuneteller is because the string is reminiscent of the paper fortuneteller often made by children. Click here to read more about the challenge and access the links to view the other entries.

The String

When I first looked at the string I had two ideas that resulted in two entries this week. For the first tile rather than drawing the string I used the beginning of the tangle Hurry as the string and then decided to to weave bands through it. I'm also trying to get more comfortable with having white space so resisted the urge to fill in every last open space.

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For the second tile - I drew the actual string, using the lines more as guidelines to hang the tangle on rather than segments to be filled in. Back in the day when I was woodburning on gourds I started many designs with this configuration - long before I knew about strings.

Folks at the gourd shows would often ask where I found or if I sold my patterns and surprised to find out that I started with a basic shape and filled it in letting the overall pattern evolve line by line - practicing Zentangle and didn't know it! Sometimes I worked from the outside into the center, other times from the center out. This tile was worked from the center out.

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Arckles - a new tangle

Arckles (rhymes with sparkles) came about when I needed something to fill in as a transition between 2 other patterns. I find that a lot of my spontaneity when working on a Zentangle is inspired by the look and feel of wire work especially chain maille designs. Without a lot of planning Arckles just sort of appeared in a tile one day. It's been a lot of fun to play with and refine it - Zentangle style.

The name? - now that was a challenge - I'll spare you the details of that journey - the short version is I saw another word in a random word generator that provided enough inspiration to eventually come up with Arckles. When drawing the pattern almost every stroke is a small "arc" - so Arckles it is.

The basic design is very open air which gives it a delicate look and there are 2 ways to start it. The fun part is in the many variations possible by changing the size, adding more arcs, filling in spaces or stacking it. I hope you enjoy it and would love to see what you do with it.

ARCKLES

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Diva Challenge #63 - Fengle

Fengle is a new official tangle. The instructions were posted in the most recent Zentangle Newsletter here. Read more about the challenge at the Diva's site here.

I actually started but never finished this tile a while back when the CZT's were provided with the instructions. One thing I'm still pretty good at - taking a light flowing organic pattern and doing the opposite with it - lol. Oh, and I also don't know when to stop and leave well enough alone. I really like Fengle but will need to work with it a bit more to get the rhythm and flow. Have another tile started - just not ready to be posted.

Fengle

Tangles: Fengle, Cadent/Dragonair combo, Purk, Arckles

For the Cadent/Dragonair combo I used a single row of Cadent and then added Dragonair on each side. Dragonair created by Norma Burnell CZT at Fairy Tangles. Arckles is a new pattern I've been working on - took longer to name it than create it. Instructions and more about it are in a separate post here.

Diva Challenge #62: Spiral Vs. Paradox

This week's challenge comes from CZT Marizaan van Beek from South Africa.  The challenge is to use spiral with paradox.  The basic string is to be the spiral and then tangle paradox within the spiral.

A couple of months ago I started the tile below using just spiral and paradox - still needs a bit more work.

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?

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Diva Challenge #57 UMT v.1

The first Monday of the month the challenge is UMT - Use My Tangle.  A pattern created by a fellow tangle enthusiast will be featured for the challenge.  This week the tangle is Sanibelle created by Tricia Faraone.  Follow this link to see instructions for creating Sanibelle.

Tangles: Sanibelle, Paradox, Zazzy, Flez

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Completed the challenge from a couple of weeks ago - just never found the time to post it.  Diva Challenge #55 - String Theory v. VIII: Moebius Trip.  The challenge was to use the Moebius logo as the string.

Diva Challenge #54 - Purple Haze

Blackberry Surprise

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If purple is your favorite color how is it possible to not have a purple pen, pencil, or paint in the house?  When I finally got around to this week's challenge that is what I discovered - nothing in the house to add purple to the tile.  Well I did eventually come across an old purple ball point - of course the ink had dried up.  Too late to drive out to my studio to collect a pen or pencil.  Now what do I do?  As you can see I did find a way to add purple to the tangle - found it in a most unlikely place - then again I'm guessing before there was purple ink and pencils this mystery purple may have been a favorite of artists then.  The purple is the juice from a fresh blackberry residing in my refrigerator.  Pretty easy to just stamp and blot away on the tile.  I rather like the effect.

Just to have a bit more fun I took another tile and covered it in purple blackberry juice - waiting for it to dry - will tangle and post that one later.

Zentangle Ornaments

Could not post these before or it might have ruined the surprise of the gift.  Every year I always have such grand plans to make a lot of ornaments for gifts.  The problem is that I should start in July but that never happens so I end up, late in the year, making a few and rotating who receives them each year.  I found a nice selection of blanks that were suitable for woodburning at Woodcrafters.

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Diva Challenge #52 - Give

This challenge, #52 marks one year for the Diva Challenges.  The challenge appropriately enough, for this time of year, is Give. We are to make a Zentangle or ZIA piece to give away.  Perfect timing for me as I had just started working on a ZIA that will be going to a friend in Virginia.

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Give

The photo above is the lid of a scallop box before it's folded - completed ZIA box is below.

The template for the scallop box is available for download from  Mirkwood Designs 

Zentangle Display Options

How do you display your  Zentangles?   So many creative things you can do - mount on mats, frame them with or without mats,  mount on folded cardstock for a tent display - the possibilities are endless.

For a quick no muss option I recently came across two items marketed for different purposes but work great for displaying Zentangles.  They also make a nice way to gift a Zentangle.  Relevant links for the products are at the end of this post.  Disclaimer - not associated with either product just a happy customer.   You can find the most interesting things - ignoring sleep and chasing shiny things around the internet!

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First one up - doesn't look like much from a full on front view - a 4" black square

 

The surprise is revealed when you look at the backside.  It's a small easel with a hinged support stand for tabletop display or use the small ring for hanging on a wall. 

 

Mounting the 3.5" Zentangle tile on the 4" easel 

provides a slim black border to frame your work.

The second find - marketed in the photography world - Snapshot Dot.  It's a small 2" flexible silicone disk.  Comes in 5 colors.  While the blue, green and translucent ones worked well for photos and other things, I preferred the black and white ones for displaying Zentangles.

I like the black disk best for Zentangles

The white one comes in a close second -  especially

 for the dense and darker Zentangles I so often make.

Before my order arrived I thought I would like the translucent best - it works well for photos and other things but I found with a Zentangle the way it absorbed and then reflected the light was a bit distracting - it caught my eye first.  Whereas with the black and white I barely noticed they were there.

The Snapshot Dot is simple to use just bend and insert the tile.  The design of the open zig zag channel provides a very gentle support and does not pinch or bend the tile.  I really like these little gizmos - they appeal to the gadget geek in me. I'm already finding  many other uses for them.

Easel Purchase Info

The easels I found at a sublimation printing company called BestBlanks . The item name Spanish Leather Frame Back for 4.5" tile.  The company sells a variety of blanks for sublimation printing.  The easel (Frame Back) is sold as an accessory to mount ceramic tiles for display.  It's a fun site to explore as they sell a variety of blanks that are suitable for Zentangle Inspired Art.  The first two photos in my Gallery 2  are items I used from BestBlanks - a jewelry box with a ceramic tile top and a small desk clock.

Two ways to purchase Snapshot Dots

The Snapshot Dot are the creation of  anklopf designs out of Brooklyn NY -  the photos of the 5 dots and instructions used courtesy of anklopf designs.  I've had the pleasure to exchange several emails with the developer - appreciate his creativity and responsiveness

PhotoJoJo Store - a great site to explore if you are or know a photo enthusiast.  Snapshot Dots are sold in 5 packs for $12 or 2 packs for $20.  Photojojo  only offers the multi-color packs.  If you want to order single color packs you will need to purchase directly from the developer.

anklopf designs  - you may order the 5 packs in single colors - or you may contact the developer for bulk order quantity and pricing.  He also offers the option to go green and place orders for just the Snapshot Dots without the packaging.

 

Diva Challenge #50 - Biggify

"This week's challenge is to push your comfort zone and biggify your tangles. Don't biggify your canvas, try sticking to the size you generally work on to get the full effect - so if you work on tiles, biggify on a tile. If you work in your journal, biggify in your journal. Put your toe over that line and test the waters." said the Diva

Definitely and interesting challenge as I usually create zentangles on the standard tiles. About the only time I draw large is when I'm teaching a class - drawing on large pad on an easel. Not quite the same.

Onamato and Gneiss appeared on the tile first but it took several attempts and false starts to finally settle on Meer as the final pattern. Shading was an added challenge. Have a couple of other Biggified tiles almost completed - feeling a little stumped on the shading.

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Biggify

DIVA Challenge #47 - Lest We Forget

The inspiration for this challenge is Nov. 11th - Remembrance Day in Canada and Veteran's Day in the United States.  Laura referenced the symbol of the Poppy to honor those who served and the poem "In Flanders Field", written by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.  The challenge "is simply to remember".  You may read her write-up and view the other entries here.

I usually stay pretty true to Zentangle's non-representational outcome so I'm not entirely sure how this creation came about.  Then again it's not a true to form drawing of a poppy either!  My intent was to meld the idea of remembering those who have served and sacrificed (red poppy) but also to remember that peace (white poppy) is the ultimate goal.

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Diva Challenge #46 - All Hallow's Eve

The challenge posted on Monday - Halloween - was to create a Zentangle tile or Zentangle Inspired piece that is haunting or spooky or goes bump in the night.  Tough time creating the tile not sure it's spooky or haunting but these particular tangles just kept popping in no matter how many tiles I started and rejected.  Eventually it's just easier to give up the resistance and go with the flow.

The second photo - a ZIA -  now this one is spooky. Found some small skull key chains in a local Halloween shop - bought a few to tangle for friends with this one to spare.

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