Weekly Challenge #104: String Theory v. XXIII - TanglePatterns String #003"

This week's Diva Challenge is to use this string to create your Zentangle tile or Zentangle Inspired Art.  I made two attempts, with and without border,  and definitely am more pleased with the second tile than the first.  Nevertheless I really am grateful for Diva's dedication to maintaining this challenge, especially with everything she has on her plate.  Thanks Laura, and Happy Tangling!  And thanks to everyone who commented on last week's post.  Feedback is always appreciated.

Weekly Challenge #103: "String Theory v.XXII - Moebius Syndrome Awareness"

The Diva's Weekly Challenge is more than just a fun exercise for Zentangle enthusiasts.  It is a community where tanglers share their art, and also get to know each other....one stroke at a time. The Diva aka Laura is also a mom who shares her heart with her readers and has a son with Moebius Syndrome.  She's doing her part to spread awareness about the disorder and this week's challenge is to use the symbol in your Zentangle art.  Mine both might look a bit more like a pretzels, but in keeping with the challenge, here goes anyway:)  The round Zendala is on lavender paper, which I used to try to incorporate purple, the color for MSAD.

Happy tangling~

Diva Challenge #101 UMT v.XI: "Phicops"

Happy days are here again.  The Diva Challenge is back from the holidays and the UMT (use my tangle), chosen for the challenge is "Phicops", a really interesting tangle that B-rad, Diva's husband, created.  The post about this challenge is really cool as it explains the origin of the tangle and also has Laura's (aka Diva's) reflections about passing the 100 challenge milestone. 

Phicops might seem a little tricky at first, but once you practice, it is well worth the effort for the interesting Zentangles you can make using this tangle.  I'm sharing three tiles  with Phicops and the first one happened to come out like a butterfly, although at first that was not my intention:)  The second is a monotangle with Phicops, and third one was a chance to use the new tangle with a few old and new favorites.  And, then I also decided to share another recent tile.  Happy Tangling~

Phicops, Diva Dance, Tipple, random N'Zeppel

NINETY-NINE.... ONE HUNDRED... Dancing Divas!

This week we celebrate the 100th weekly "I am the Diva" Zentangle Challenge with a special new tangle.  Introduced and offered by Zentangle founders, Rick and Maria, the Diva Dance is pure fun.  Check it out yourself here.   I used the tile I started for last week's challenge with the looped string.  I ran out of time to complete it for last week, so I decided to combine efforts on this go-round.  Sort of like multitasking I guess. 

So today, December 20, the Diva Challenge is two years old, and guess what?  So is our wonderful chocolate lab, Mocha.We got Mocha as a little puppy in Feb 2011 on the day my mother-in-law passed away.  He turned out to be the best therapy in the world for our family and the sweetest darn doggie around. Here is his picture.

Happy Birthday Mocha!

Finally, let me take this moment to wish everyone peace and love and the comfort of family and friends during this holiday season and, as always, happy tangling everyone!

Challenge ~ Keenees!

If you would like to smile, just start tangling Keenees:)  I use it often and have included it in my classes too. I like the way it looks and appreciate the fact it doesn't require much concentration.  So, I was really happy to see this tangle was chosen for the Diva's weekly challenge.  If you haven't seen this weekly event yet, check it out right here.  A big thank you to Diva, and also to CZT, Donna Hornsby, for Keenees.  Here is the blog post where Donna introduces Keenees.

 
For a second item to share, here is  a pair of boots I tangled, and Keenees found its way to this Zentangle- inspired fun as well!  (Left picture, left boot) These boots were on their way to the consignment store when I decided to give them new life instead.



Happy tangling everyone!

Challenge ~ SOCC

This week is "Use My Tangle" week at the Diva's Zentangle Challenge.  And the random winner is CZT, Erin Olson and her delightful tangle SOCC.  I highly recommend reading the great story of this tangle, here on her blog if you haven't seen it yet. It speaks to some of my favorite qualities in the Zentangle community.

This is the first time I tried SOCC and I really like it for the contrast and dimension of the tangle.  SOCC is a keeper, for sure. Since we had our first snow this week, I decided to prop the tile on the piano for a different background/frame, just for fun.

Thanks Erin and Diva.  It is a pleasure to hop back into the weekly challenge.  Keep tangling everyone!

Art Teachers Embrace Zentangle!

OK, I admit it.  I took the summer off.  Went to the beach many times, and enjoyed family, friends, and the spectacular weather here in Little Rhody, the Ocean State.  I was so relaxed, I didn't even keep up with the weekly Diva Challenge.  But summer always flies by and this one did too.  Back to reality and fall routines.  And, for many, back to school!

This past week I was able to share Zentangle in a workshop for 8 AWESOME art teachers in Barrington.  Let's just say they took to Zentangle like ducks to water!  We  talked about the relaxed focus that is achieved by tangling, and quickly got right into the Zentangle zone by learning several tangle patterns and creating 2 tiles.  This was a wonderfully creative, enthusiastic, and open-minded group of teachers who clearly have so much to offer their students.  They really seemed to relish the opportunity to take a pause and relax and create and learn a new art form.  

The following mosaics are from this workshop and show what they did.  If you look carefully you may notice that the second mosaic has an extra tile included "just to even things out".  It was such a pleasure teaching this group.