Breathe

Now, unlike most of the challenges I've posted so far, this one was completed just a month or so back.

I think you'll notice that the photography is superior (captured on my HTC One S rather than my old Nokia E71), and hopefully the quality of my tangling has improved somewhat in the 18 months or so in between those early attempts and my more recent offerings.

So this challenge was entitled 'Breathe' and Laura asked us to create a tile using conscious, even breathing. Relax. Breathe. Smile.
So I did :D

Breathe
Tangles: Reticulated, Tipple, Punzel, Fescu, Nzeppel and Flukes

I feel that Punzel looks like a breath of hot air on a cold day, with clouds radiating out from it. Nzeppel and Flukes are two of my 'go-to' tangles that help to quiet my brain. Not quite sure that Reticulated fits the brief, but it kinda snuck in there!

What are your 'go-to' tangles?

Happy tangling...
Claire

Ixorus

So I remember at the time of drawing this Zentangle for the Diva's challenge, Ixorus was a tangle I readily took to... after sorting out how to draw the radiating lines, that is!

Although the photo's not great, and the shading's quite poor, I still like this tile. I especially like the section on the right which I filled with a few of my favourites - Triral, Tipple and Reticulated.

Ixorus

On to the next challenge!

Happy tangling...
Claire

Orbs

Orbs... slightly squished, because drawing circles is not easy!

Orbs
Tangles: Paradox, River, Quiltz, Zedbra, Wisket

Click on the links to see instructions for each of the tangles.

Happy Tangling...
Claire

Starry Eyed Surprise

Another of the Diva's challenges completed at the start of 2011. This one was not an easy one to do, and I'm not entirely satisfied with the outcome, but in the 18 months or so since then, I've not thought to redo it.

As I write, I've open up the Diva's post for this challenge and am enjoying listening to Paul Oakenfold's 'Starry Eyed Surprise'. It's an old favourite of mine, so makes me feel better. This Zentangle is an example of where I've come from, and reminds me of how far I've come since then.

So let's take a look at my rather rough work, and notice the lack of shading. Shading was something that scared me back then. Ok, I admit, it still scares me today, but I'm trying to overcome the fear...

Starry Eyed Surprise
Clockwise from top left: Gingham, Ninja Stars, Paradox,
Spinners, Frillee, Tipple, Demi and, in the centre, Facets

Is it leaving you 'starry-eyed'?

Happy Tangling...
Claire

Merry Christmas 2010

My Third Zentangle

Not a great pic...

Cadent, Keeko, Crescent Moon, Floorz

My Second Zentangle

With a little bit of Striping, Shattuck and Hollibaugh

My First Zentangle

Using three different variations of the 'Bales' tangle

Nice New Notebook

So I've been in quite a crafty mood this week. I've been crocheting, cooking, doodling, journalling and I've also discovered Zentangles.

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Zentangles are like organised doodling, except it only uses patterns so anyone can do it - no excuse of "I can't draw". And because you focus so much on what you're doing, it's actually good for relieving stress and lowering blood pressure. Kind of like doodling meditation!

If you want to learn more about Zentangles then check out the Zentangle website and blog.


So I'm really keen to get tangling, the only problem is - I don't have any notebooks with plain paper! So I decided to make one for myself... and that's the subject of today's blog :D

Easy-Peasy Lemon-Squeezy Notebook

Stuff you'll need:
I used some sheets of different coloured paper I had lying around, an empty cardboard box, scissors, glue-stick, measuring tape (I've lost my ruler!), a pencil, a needle, some yarn and some shiny stickers.


How to make the cute Notebook:
1. I cut the paper first into long strips the size I wanted.
2. I then folded them in half to make my notebook pages.
3. Then I cut the cardboard for the cover. It's a little bit bigger than the paper all the way round.
4. Next I used some more of the coloured paper to cover the cardboard using the gluestick to stick it down.
5. Using the needle and yarn I attached the pages to the cover, making sure the yarn is tied firmly.


6. Finally I decorated it with stickers!


Now I have to bring myself to use it... easier said than done. I find it really difficult to use nice stationery; I tend to hoard it for something special (I know - I'm crazy!).


I guess there's gonna be some Zentangle based posts coming soon... Happy crafting :D

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