Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Zendalas

Over the holidays, I got into drawing some Zendala tiles.
Here they are.





Saturday, December 27, 2014

Uncorked and Mooka

This weeks It's a String Thing #72 included only two patterns:  Uncorked and Mooka.
I really like drawing both of these patterns, so I played around with them a lot.  Here are some of the drawings I came up with.

The string is #72 by CZT Rita Nikolajeva

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas

I am peacefully sitting in my living room alone,  drinking coffee awaiting for the house to erupt with activity---lots of wows! .  My 6 year old grandson will be the first up, fellowed by his 16 month old brother.      Yes, Santa did come last night.  He ate the cookies, drank the milk, and left all sorts of goodies.

He left me some great memories.

Enjoy your day and Happy Tangling!
Joan

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Time to Zen Out!

I have put together a small Zentangle drawing journal.  It is 8 1/2" x 5 1/2",
printed on Bristol/vellum paper in color, and spiral bound to lay flat.

The journal contains:
**  Twelve 31/2"x 31/2" squares with a string
**  Twelve 2"x2" squares
**  Ten blank sheets of bristol/vellum paper
**  Twelve tangles with step out instructions
**  Suggestions for pattern variations
**  A black ink, fine point Sharpie pen







Time to Zen Out! is $12.00. A Great Gift for the beginner or experienced tangler!



Visit the STORE in the upper left hand corner or click here to purchase.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

In the round.

This week in It's a String Thing,  we were to use two tangles: Verdigogh by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and Pauline's Pigtail by Adele Bruno.  I like both tangles, but they are very similar.
I started out by trying to draw Verdigogh on a spiral with Pauline's Pigtail in the center of the spiral.  I couldn't get it to work out well, though.  I will try again later.
After that didn't work out so great, I tried something else.  I also wanted to use the nice quality paper of Zentangle tiles.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any tiles on hand.  I did have a Zendala tile, so I used that.
Below is the drawing:
  I added Ennies around the edge to add finishing touches.  I drew Verdigogh then topped it off with Pauline's Pig Tail.

I added some color to give it a festive flair.

I

Finally, I added some red ribbon to tie the tangles together.



OK.  A few days later:  I played around with these two tangles once more.  This is my result:


Merry Christmas and Happy Tangling!

Friday, December 5, 2014

It's beginning to look a lot like.......?

I love this time of year.  Mostly because I get so involved creatively. There are gifts to make, cookies to bake, festooning to be done, etc.

I live near the beach and walk the beach daily.  I collect shells -- by the gazillion.  I had great plans to make a garland of shells for my Christmas tree this year.  I forget all about it until a week ago.  Then I realized I didn't have time to do this, so the garland of shells has been put off for another year.  As well as the wind chimes, mirrors, picture frames, etc.  How does one forget to craft with the supplies she has been so dutifully collecting all year?  I got side tracked.

I wanted to tangle some stars and make cards.  Then I got involved in stained glass.  I started making birds and got totally engrossed in that. I made 30 birds for 16 people to choose from!  I gave away most of the remaining birds and kept a few for myself.  They were so much fun to make.

I had some scraps left over so I made a wind chime for the family gift exchange.


As I mentioned in It's a String Thing #67,  I am grateful for the opportunity to create, the access to materials I need, and the means to pursue my passion.

My wish for you all is that you also have the opportunity, accessibility, and the means to pursue your passion whatever it may be.


Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Dancing on the Rooftops

When I was teaching 4th grade at an inner city ESOL school, our class sang a song called, "Dancing on the Rooftops" for the 4th grade Holiday Show.  It was about Santa and his reindeer landing on the roofs of houses and all the commotion it created -- in a jolly sort of way.  Most of the children spoke very limited English, but the learned the words and the dance steps that went with it.

When It's a String Thing #69 came out, I didn't think about Santa or reindeer--- until I drew the last little bit on this tile.
 The pattern on the left is called Snowzags by Lori Howe.  I had no intentions of drawing it like this, but this is how it came out and I really like it! I immediately thought of "Dancing on the Rooftops"!  It's funny what triggers memories.

Well, then I got inspired and thought I would draw the string again only this time I would do more Snowzags in the same style.  This is how it came out..

This is just plain fun, in my opinion!  But it doesn't look like rooftops anymore.  The other patterns are Screen by CZT Margaret Bremner and Sooflowers by Livia Chua.

The funny thing about this challenge is that included one of my favorite tangles,  Sand Swirl by Kerry Heun.  I couldn't wait to draw it.  Notice that Sand Swirl is not in either tile!

Happy Tangling!
Joan


Monday, December 1, 2014

December class cancelled

Unfortunately, the December 13th class has been cancelled due to a conflict in the venue scheduling.

I will reschedule this class after the first of the year.

Look for classes at the Riverhouse starting in January.

Have a blessed holiday season and a prosperous New Year!