Challenge #87

This week's challenge is titled "String Theory v. XII: Pinwheels for Peace v.II" and we have to use Pinwheels for Peace as our inspiration. So we could use a pinwheel as our string or create a Zentangle Pinwheel or a Pinwheel Mandala. 

I chose to  use the pinwheel as my string. I have ended up completing three tiles each quite different. I like all for very different reasons.

The first I did was quite simple. Using mainly straight lines.

The next was I feel softer and freer.

Then the final one really evolved in an entirely different way.

Challenge #86

This week the Diva has challenged us to break free and work outside the border. I was really excited to get started as I was looking forward to see how my tiles evolved without the border limits.

Here are two of my tiles. I definitely enjoyed creating these and feel that I need to play a bit more with the concept of outside the border. Hope you enjoy them.

This was my first

This my next one...

I really enjoyed the freedom I allowed myself in this challenge, and to see how the work evolved as I added lines.. so thanks Diva !!

Diva Challenge #85

This week we have been given a challenge to use the UMT; Copada, that was created by CZT Margaret Bremner. This is the first time I have seen or used this tangle so thanks for introducing it.
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Here are my two tiles.

I definitely enjoyed using it and can see it being a regular in my Zentangles.

I think I now need to go back to those Diva challenges I have missed and try and complete them....especially the UMT or new tangle challenges. I love trying new and different tangles. Perhaps I will create a page here dedicated to those challenges I have missed.... now that's a possibility.

Diva Challenge #84

Its great to be able to join in again in the Diva's Challenges after a reasonably lengthy break.

This week our challenge is to create a  blind string then use tangles to complete it.:  So I closed my eyes and created these two strings.

Apologies about the clearness of the second pic but I didn't check the picture before completing my tile.

So here are the completed tiles. 

Hope you enjoy them.

Challenge # 62 Spiral Vs Paradox

This week the Diva’s challenge is for us to use a spiral String which we then tangle with Paradox. We can use more than one spiral string if we want, but the main Spiral should be tangled with the Paradox.

Now I like the Paradox tangle and use it regularly so I thought this is going to be easy but perhaps not. So I started and this is my finished tile….

I like some of the effects so I think I need to play a little more with this idea…

Challenge #61 UMT.V.II

This week we have been asked to use a new Tangle called "Gloven" which is Dutch for Wave. I have had fun using this tangle and really like the curved line variation... here is what I have done for my challenge... hope you like it.

Weekly Challenge #58: Diamonds

This week's challenge is highlighting and supporting the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Chidren's Hospital. The fund was started by Charles and Irma Millard after their son, Christopher, lost a three year fight with cancer in 1972. The four Diamonds are symbolic of the traits Christopher felt were needed to defeat his cancer. They are derived from a story he wrote in which the Knight Sir Millard overcomes obstacles to achievethe four diamonds of Courage, Wisdom, Honesty and Strength.

So with the theme of Diamonds we can use the Four Diamonds logo or diamond-esque tangles only, or anything that we feel represents the theme.

I chose to use the Four Diamonds logo as I felt it worked well.

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I would be very happy to  be able to donate the tile to a Four Diamond family

Weekly Challenge 57: "UMT v. I"

This is the first of the challenges that utilizes Tangles that have been posted to the Diva in her “Use My Tangle” application.

I think this is a great way for us to actually give these tangles a go, Thanks Diva!!! . I know that until now I have not used the “Sanibelle” tangle and I really enjoyed it. I can see many that there may be many ways to incorporate these with other tangles.

Anyway here is my tile for the challenge.

Weekly Challenge #56: "Non Dominatrix* v.2"

This week we have been challenged to do our ZIA or Tile using our non dominant hand…

I was unaware of the Divas’ challenges when this was first introduced in March last year, so it is has been a new challenge for me…

I have really enjoyed it! I am actually able to do quite a bit with my left hand (non dominant), a result of my time working in the lab, but this was something different again….

I did find that I really needed to concentrate on where I wanted the stroke to emerge on the tile so this challenge has really made me focus on each stoke I made, more so than with my right hand.

The result is more organic than usual which I really like. I love the visual wonkyness to the strokes; they also reflect how our paths in life are not always as straight or steady as we hope ….. very real for me right now..

I have only managed one tile so I hope you enjoy it as much as I do….

I didn't manage to get last weeks uploaded so will try and get it up soon while I wait and look forward to next weeks challenge.......

Challenge #54: "Purple Haze"

This weeks challenge is one of colour. We have to add a touch of the colour purple to our Zentangles which I have enjoyed immensely. The colour purple has always been a favourite or should I admit it is perhaps my favourite colour, so this challenge was a joy to do.

I have tried a couple of approaches this week. The first was to simply use a purple gel pen for a specific tangle whilst the rest of the Zentangle is done in the black Sakura ink. I really liked this after I had added the shading in purple of course…

The Second tile was approached differently. I first created a purple border in pencil then instead of creating the string in pencil I did it in a lilac gel pen and used a tangle for the string. Then I completed the tile using both the Sakura black ink as well as another violet gel pen. Finally I added the shading and I feel it has really made it work…

 I think I shall need to do some more with colour.....

Diva's Challenge #53

A new year and new challenges what could be better!
The challenge this week is to use the Diva's tangle UNDINE. I love the background info given to naming this tangle... and can really identify with the Diva's wish to dedicate it to her partner B-Rad...

I must say it took a while to get comfortable with the tangle as my X's just got wonky as I went along but I am happy with the two tiles I have decided to share below. There is a little tangelation I think, but I know I would like to play with this tangle a little more as I really enjoyed it. Thanks Diva!!!!

Diva's Challenge #51

I have been out of action for a while but am happy to be back. This weeks challenge is to use the new Tangle FIFE. I actually enjoyed this challenge and can see using this tangle often. Below is my first tile. It took a while to loosen up but I was happy with the resulting Zentangle.

Then this next tile developed and I am very pleased with the result. I really like the effect I achieved using the Nzeppel background with the Fife tangle.

Hope you enjoy them.

Although I have not been up to date with my blog I have been doing the challenges so hope to get a slide show organised of those I have done between my last challenge No # 38 and this one.

Challenge #38 "Better than a Pair of Ducks"

This weeks Challenge was suggested by Maria Thomas and is a monotangle using the tangle Paradox.

A monotangle is explained as : " A Zentangle or Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA) using only one singular tangle for the design; the tangle may be used in it's "pure" form or in tangleations."

Paradox is one of my favourite tangles so I have really enjoyed this challenge. I have also done quite a few tiles playing around with different strings, geometric and organic I have selected two for the challenge but have include the others I have done on my Tangle page.

The first one is based on the square within a square quilt. block.  Here I did the central square area first starting in one direction then changing direction to alter the central area. Finally I did paradox in the outer area but working it behind the central block. I like the result although it is quite simple in appearance.

The second tile I selected used an organic string, here I just made a fluid string then used Paradox to fill these organic shapes. Some shapes have only two sides and these are a little challenging but I did like the result. More of my attempts can be viewed on my Tingi Tangles page here.

Challenge #37

This wek's Challenge is delightfully titled "Kiss my Grids" . We have been challenged to use grid based tangles to complete the challenge. I followed "The Diva's " example of creating a sting then overlaying a grid on which the tangles would be conststructed.
Although I prefer the more organic tangles, I did enjoy doing this challenge. Here are the two tiles I did, I am reasonably happy wiht the results...happy enough to post them.

The first

and then the next......

Challenge #36 New Tangle Assunta

Since I  missed the cut off time last week to get my challenges linked I decided I needed to be better prepared this week to be able to join in and have slotted time in to do my tiles.
The challenge for this week is to use a new tangle called Assunta. It was introduced in the latest Zentangle newsletter where Rick gave a great insight into how it developed and some tips on mastering it, these I did find useful.
I was looking forward to working with it and must say that it did take a bit to get comfortable with it but  once I was underway I did enjoy it . So here are my responses and possible tanglelations for the Assunta tangle.

Diva's Challenge #35

This weeks challenge is  "Tile on a Tile" organised by the Enthusiastic Artist.
We had to draw our border further in on our tile then allow our string to go beyond the internal border to the outer edges of the tile.
Mine is a little late and I'm not sure it will make the deadline but I'd like to share what I did anyhow.
You needed to think about your tangle selection which could help to emphasise the internal frame.

This one I started with paradox and really enjoyed it so used it solely in the inner tile.

 I did two Zentangles on tiles above and another  larger piece below.

 All in all I did enjoy this challenge and look forward to the next... hopefully this time I will be able to post it earlier.

Diva's Challenge #34

This week's challenge is "Opposites Attract". If we use a curved string then we are challenged to complete the Zentangle with angular or grid tangles but if we use a straight line string we are to use only the curved, orb or the softer tangles. Initially I thought this would be easy but as I started my first tile I got absorbed only to realise that I had used a grid based tangle in my straight lined string......oh well ... so I finished it and started over..
The next time I was concentrating on which tangle I was about to use as the tile progressed. Generally I let the tile dictate which tangle I use but this time I had to stop and ask did the tangle fit in this challenge...if not look for one that did .

I have now finished two tiles; a curved and straight line strings.  I must admit that this challenge prompted me to look at and use some tangles that I hadn't tried as yet, which is always good when you are only a beginner. I am happy with my finished tiles...I hope you enjoy them too.

The curved string

and the straight line string 

Challenge #33

Well we have been given the new Pendrills tangle from the latest newsletter to inspire our Zentangles for this week's challenge.
I really enjoyed working with it and can see it becoming a favourite.

This was my first Zentangle using Pendrills

Then this is what happened with my next one.  A slight adjustment but I like what happened.

I am looking forward to using the Pendrills Tangle again real soon and to whatever awaits in next weeks challenge....

Challenge #32

As I am relatively new to Zentangle®,  this is my first time at participating in these challenges. I really enjoyed using the tangles some I hadn't used before.
The challenge  was to use  any string you like with only 4 tangles: Baton, Keenees, Pais and Zedbra.

   My First Tile

And then another.

Nearly One Month Down

Now that we are nearly at the end of the first month of this year I am happy to say that I have STARTED completing or passing on some of the UFO's I found and was determined to deal with this year. 
I decided that it was necessary to be ruthless and I needed to be truthful with myself when trying to sort out what was to be done with each of these projects. Not always easy, but very necessary.

So with a deep breath I plunged in. I started by sorting those that I would NOT for what ever reason complete and made the decision whether they would be best deconstructed (fabric / fibre was wanted)  or passed on. I am very pleased that I have been able to pass onto friends or groups some of these projects and that they are happy to complete or reinvent them. I now have a very small number that are being deconstructed. I do this when I need a break and am happy to do something that needs less concentration.

My next step was to sort those items that require only a small amount to finish, these I am now in the process of completing.

It is a bit embarassing when you realise the extent of your UFO projects but as I am someone who has many textile interests it is probably NOT THAT surprising. Anyway the way forward is to just keep on working through these so that is what I am doing.
I hope to have some pics to add to my blog very soon. Anyway its back to the UFO's.