Happy Christmas

May your Christmas be special, safe, full of wonderful surprises and joy!

Diva-dance

We are doing the diva-dance to celebrate 100...yes, 100 challenges by The Diva! Rick and Maria from Zentangle have joined the party by creating a new energetic tangle called diva-dance.
With a waltz, foxtrot or rock 'n roll you can go down the line, make a turn or spin around. Diva-dance will be a new favourite for sure.
Congratulations and thank you Laura on 100 challenges and inspiring us to create. Thank you Rick and Maria...I love to dance!!!

 

 

Crisscross

Our paths crisscross in many ways and through today's media our world seems smaller. This morning we woke to hear the tragic news of the shootings in Connecticut. On this very sad day, our thoughts and prayers are with the parents of the children, the families and friends of all involved.
Because of the Port Arthur massacre here in Tasmania in April 1996 the gun control laws were changed, I hope there will be changes in the US also.



Size: 27cm x 37cm (10 1/2" x 14 1/2")
 

Looped Border String

Wow #99 for the Diva's challenge. This week our Enthusiastic Artist, Margaret, has thrown this super idea for a jazzy string on to the tile. Margaret has a very creative imagination and shares many tips and tangles to keep us inspired.
When you draw a border string loop the string in on each side, I also had a go at looping the string out on each side, that was fun too. Thanks Margaret and Laura.

 

 

Tripoli Daisies

These tripoli daisies have multiplied and run riot in this rambling tangled garden.

Size: 27cm x 37cm (10 1/2"x 14 1/2")

Ganesha for Dilip

Dilip Patel from India is gathering together a sensational Zentangle Ganesha collection, see them all here on his blog. His aim is to publish 100 by the 31 Dec!

Congratulations on your quest Dilip.

Keenees

The Diva's Challenge #98 this week is to use Donna Hornsby's tangle keenees. A cute tangle that fits in anywhere. There is a heat wave sweeping Australia but here in Tasmania the weather has been hot one day cool the next, we went to the beach for the weekend, as it was windy there were only a few girls out in their teeny weeny polka dot bikinis.

Inspired by The Book of Zentangle

With excitement at our local post office my package of books has finally arrived safely. For 6 weeks the box travelled to Tasmania and back to the US but like a boomerang it has returned. I do try and think the right things happen at the right time so apparently my copy of The Book of Zentangle has reached me at the right time!
I held the book carefully, appreciated the size, colours, weight and felt the quality flowing from the cover! After settling quietly exploring the treasure-trove of Maria's sensational art and Rick's inspirational words my impression was that this is a love story. Love for art, life, creativity, beauty and passion. To me the book is Rick and Maria's love story and their enthusiasm to share Zentangle.
Thank you so much Rick and Maria for this special jewel. When I'm marooned on that desert island, where I'm only allowed one book, The Book of Zentangle will be in my bag.



Size: 76cm x 56cm  (30" X 22")

 

 

No Strings Attached

This is a super name for The Diva's Challenge this week. Just start a tile without drawing a string. With both these I went straight to the corner first.

 

 

Living Green

A bonus to the Art of Zentangle is recycling tangles. Each tangle has a unique way of looking  revitalised and re-vamped. I never get tired of re-using verdigogh, purk or poke leaf.
The repetition of tripoli and mooka sends me off on a whirl of memories gathered from tiles past. Add a little zinger with old favourites and a few shades of green for an environmental friendly ZIA.




Size: 2 cm x 37cm (10 1/2" x 14 1/2")

Zinger

The Diva's challenge #96 is a real zinger and I am so pleased we now have a name for this cute as a poppet official tangle. Zinger sprouts up with joy and appears often in Maria's Zentangles.
Zingers are like sweets it is hard to stop at just one.

Thank you Maria and Laura.

 

 

Bouquet for Mum

My mum has spent the last week in hospital, it was good to be able to sit by her bed and tangle.




Size: 27cm x 37cm  (10 1/2" x 14 1/2")

Yay Mickey

What a hoot! The Diva's challenge #95 is kindly brought to us by Courtney from Texas who reminds us of Mickey Mouse's debut way back on the 18th of November 1928 in the animated short film "Steamboat Willie".
It really is a classic and such a giggle, you can view the film on The Diva's blog here .            
During the week I have been playing with Carla's Pop-Cloud and hoping I could in some way incorporate this delightful tangle in this weeks challenge. When Steamboat Willie's whistles blew clouds of steam puffed with inspiration!
Thanks Courtney and Carla it was a blast from the past with a toot and a hoot!!

A Fishy Tail or Tale!

Once upon a time deep under the sea lived a fine finicky fish with a tangled tail. This fussy fish frolicked in the wispy waves, swam amongst the fangles and florz looking for sweet juicy squid!

Can you add a line or two to this fishy tale?

Size: 37cm x 55 cm (14 1/2" x 21 1/2")

Socc

For this weeks challenge (#94) from The Diva we are delving into the lovely lines of Erin's socc.
You can make this delightful tangle pull in tight and plump it out into a voluptuous roundish shape or pinch the ends for a bulb like effect.
Fun fun fun ...thanks Laura and Erin.

A Bunzo Wave

Challenge #93 is Zentangle official and very groovy tangle bunzo. Let's dance or ride the wave!!
We are enjoying spring rains here in Tasmania and I am thinking of you all on the east coast of the US with wild weather, strong winds and high seas.
Thanks Maria for another cracker of a tangle.

For Alice.

Sylvia

Early last Wednesday morning Sylvia, my Mother-In-Law passed peacefully away in her sleep. Sylvia was elegant, vivacious and loving. Her life was full and productive, she was a beautiful dressmaker and loved creating anything from children's toys to glamourous wedding gowns. Sylvia was in her glee designing outfits for fancy dress parties and organising family gatherings.

With 89 years of living with passion and zest we can celebrate her life and be thankful for her love.

 

 

 

Stripes

Challenge #91 - Stripes.....straight curvy twisted patterned!

Gardening

Today is gardening day! Since my addiction to Zentangle started our garden hasn't had the attention it needs. The sun is shining so I am off to shake the spider webs out of my garden gloves.

Weeds don't grow in my tangled gardens!

Size: 37cm x 55cm (14 1/2"x 21 1/2")

Beads of Courage

If you are new to Zentangle pop over to The Diva's blog and read Laura's story. I am always inspired by her enthusiasm and spirit. This week her challenge #91 is named for Beads of Courage which is a charity that helps a child with a chronic illness or condition like Laura's youngest son.

 

Today I received  issue #2 of  Featuring magazine from The Netherlands.  Linda Farmer from tanglepatterns.com has written a superb article on Zentangle. It was lovely to see one of my tiles published also!!!

 

 

When in doubt tangle circles

Filling in a mass of circles with tempting tangles is like adding fertiliser to a garden!



Size: 37cm x 55cm (14 1/2" x 21 1/2")

Challenge #90

This week The Diva has passed on a super string idea from Linda's tanglepatterns.com
It was such fun, so I just had to do three!!!

Spring Forward Fall Back

Tonight, (here in Tasmania) we turn our clocks forward an hour for Daylight Saving. I used to get confused but the words spring forward fall back helps me remember which way to turn the clock. We are also reminded to do certain things at the change of Daylight Saving like replacing the batteries in fire alarms and buy new tooth brushes.

Purk is still an all time favourite tangle, it makes great petals. Here is a spring bloom in fall colours!

Sankegg

Another month has gone by and we are trying a tangle by Maria Vennekens - named sankegg for The Diva's Challenge. I found it a bit tricky, my sankegg turned out a bit more like sails on a lake.

Unknown Outcomes

A joy ride is combining ideas from Zentangle tiles to help create a large piece of  Zentangle Inspired Art. Be free of plans and restrictions and the page gradually fills with little bits of tangle delights. I love the element of surprise when a tangle pops out from behind, turns corners, hides, circles around and ventures off into the unknown. It's a bit like a road map and a free Sunday afternoon with no particuar place to go. Feel the freedom of the open road and appreciate the scenery.

Wishing you a fun adventure this weekend and keep safe!

 

 







Size: 37cm x55cm (141/2" x 211/2")

3 of IX

Zentangle's new exciting tangle is call IX and is The diva's Challenge #88 for this week.
Shading adds impact and if you love drawing lines you will have fun with IX.  I love the effects that can be achieved with this absorbing new tangle. Thank you Rick, Maria and Laura.

 

 

 

 

Rainbow Trout

Tasmanian lakes and streams are popular fishing spots for the Rainbow Trout which were introduced from North America in 1898. I believe they are extemely happy swimming in our cool clean water....until caught!

Here is the big one that got away:)

Size: 37cm x 55 cm  (141/2" x 211/2")
Click on to enlarge

Pinwheels For Peace

Laura's Challenge #87 is celebrating Pinwheels for Peace for September 21 the International Day of Peace .
I chose to make a Pinwheel with just 2 tangles...marasu and yincut with a touch of peaceful calm blue.

Seeds Breaking Free

Following on with The Diva's Challenge this week and the theme 'break free' this ZIA incorporates a few elements of tiles tangled in other challenges.

Size:  27cm x 37cm  (10 1/2" X 14 1/2")

Break Free

Oh, isn't it fun to just head off and break free!
When ever I think of breaking free it is usually about a trip and the tangle tripoli represents that freedom to me, tripoli can gather together or head off in its own direction. Laura's challenge #86 this week is about moving out and breaking free of our borders.
It is school holidays here so Heidi and Samuel (our Grandchildren) have been for a sleep over, it is springtime and the garden is in blossom but it needed a good clean up. They have helped plant, rake, wash down outdoor furniture and now they are older ventured over the fence to catch tadpoles on their own.

Solitude



It's Saturday here in Tasmania, the noises of the morning have just faded and our home is peaceful. When I am busy doing those everyday jobs I don't think about the background sounds but when everything stops and the washing machine finishes it's last spin, ahhh, silence and solitude. Thank you...now for a nice cup of tea and a seat in the garden.

Size: 37cm x 55cm (14 1/2" x 21 1/2")

Copada

With The Diva's challenge #85 this week we are playing with Margaret's copada.  I always enjoy visiting Margaret's blog, she has fantastic ideas and many new tangles to try. Tangling this tile I spun copada into a circle for a bit of fun! Thank you Margaret and Laura.

My Tangle Fish

For Paul and everyone who likes colour!!

Size: 37cm x 55cm (14 1/2" X 21 1/2")
Pens: Micron black 01 and Faber-Castell PITT artist pens
On: Saunders Waterford watercolour paper

I hope she makes you smile!

Blind Sighted

 

The Diva's challenge #84.......Blind Sighted.

Eyes closed.....draw string!!!

 

In Zentangle we talk about the surprise element of unknown outcomes so closing your eyes, taking a breath and let your pencil do the walking is a great start to letting go of any decisions and judgement. Often once you start, certain tangles pop into your mind and ta-da inspiration sparks. Thanks Laura.

 



 

 

Scroll Feather With A Little Cruffle

Have you been to visit Helen at a little lime? Helen has a delightfully delicate style for drawing Australian native flowers and has created a beautiful new tangle called scroll feather.
I couldn't resist playing with it and also popped in some of Sandy Hunter's cute cruffle.
Thank you Helen and Sandy.