Tangled Thursday

Today's Tangled Thursday is brought to you by . . .

the letter P.

Elaine challenged participants to draw inspiration from the letter P - in whatever shape or form we chose.  My mind went in several directions - surprise!

First was a traditional tile:

The patterns used include Punzel, Paizel, Paradox, Paushalov, Poke Leaf, Pots-N-Pans, and Purk.  

As I was Pinterest-surfing for inspiration, I ran across a Zentangle-like drawing of a Purple Peacock.  Perfect!  (The link went to a discontinued Etsy page, so my thanks to the original artist - whoever you are).  Here's my version:

Then, just because many of the P-patterns reminded me of plants, I drew a Zentangle garden of P's.

Thanks, Elaine, for the fun challenge.  To see what everyone is drawing or to link your own post, visit Heather at Books and Quilts.

Tangled Thursday: A Pattern in a Pattern

This week's challenge, made by yours truly, was to make a large pattern and fill it with smaller patterns.  This proved more difficult than I expected.  I played around with several ideas based on a set of stencils I found in the closet.  I finally ended up with this design.  After drawing the shapes (I have no idea what that shape would be called) I thought that it was the negative space in between that made it most interesting.   

With the intention of trying the same design again but with more precision, I used my quilting ruler to measure and lightly pencil in squares to make it easier to line up the shapes.  But then it hit me - - what is a quilt but a large pattern filled with smaller patterns?   So, I used that paper to draw random quilt blocks I found in a magazine.  It's not a Zentangle, but it was fun, it fits the theme and it gave me another chance to play with watercolor pencils.  

Tangled Thursday is hosted by Heather and Books and Quilts.  Visit Heather to see what she and the other participants are drawing.  If you would like to join us, please feel free.  Just add your link on Heather's blog.  Your tangle doesn't have to fit the theme.  We love seeing everyone's work.

Tangled Thursday Challenge: A Pattern Within a Pattern

It has come around to my turn to create a challenge for the participants of the Tangled Thursday meme - which can be you, if you want to join in.  The idea is that one person throws out an idea and each participant interprets it in whatever way they choose, posts a picture of their drawing and links up at Heather's blog, Books & Quilts.

My idea was inspired by this fabric that I purchased Friday as part of The World's Wildest Quit that I'm making for my daughter.

Then I saw this pin on Pinterest and the challenge idea was obvious:

Image from weheartit.com

For the next challenge, to be posted September 25th, create a large pattern and then fill it with smaller patterns.  It doesn't have to be the one shown here - it can be squares, triangles, any pattern you like.  Go forth and tangle.

Tangled Thursday" Zeta Challenge

It's my turn to select the challenge for Tangled Thursday, so I'm choosing "Zeta" as the feature pattern.  Zeta is a new-to-me pattern that I'm anxious to work on. It can be used in any manner you choose in your drawing.  Post your Zeta Tangles on Thursday, July 24th and link up at Tangled Thursday headquarters:  Books & Quilts.

Detailed instructions can be found here.

Stitches, Tangles and Terriers

"Before beginning your assignment, please read ALL of the instructions."  How many times did I hear that in school?  Maybe I should have paid more attention.  Seems I'm a weak early with this post.  The assignment was for July 10!  

Yesterday was a tough day for my sister and her family.  They lost a precious companion, friend and family member - their Boston Terrier, Dodger.    He was on my mind as I worked on this week's Tangled Thursday challenge - to use "negative space" in a drawing - so here is my Zen tribute to Dodger:

I really enjoyed this challenge.  I had so many ideas, I wasted most of my time looking for images and jumping between ideas, that I nearly ran out of time to get ANYTHING drawn. Being in a rush caused some errors and sloppy work, so I hope to do/redo more drawings with negative space.   Here is what I did accomplish:

I saw this design on line and copied.  The treble clef emblem was clearer in the original.

Christmas in July.  I was really liking this one until I was down to the last area to fill (along the right side).  I tried to copy a design I saw online and it didn't work at all!  I may retry this one, too.

I didn't get my Needlework Tuesday post up this week, so once again, I'm including it here.  I finished this baby blanket that I was loom knitting.  I was very happy with the knitting - Figure 8 stitch using Bernat "Baby Blanket" bulky yarn.  The part that made me unhappy was the joining of the two panels.  I stitched them together following a video on YouTube, but something didn't work quite right.  My seam is not invisible, like theirs was.  I added a crocheted border in solid blue in an attempt to blend the edges of the two panels.  That was slightly successful. 

This has me a little nervous about my flag afghan, since it is made in 5 sections and then joined.  I better watch that video a few more times!

Tangled Thursday/Needlework Tuesday - Begin Again

                               

Poor old Michael Finnegan ... begin again...

I'm sure I watched that Wee Sing in Sillyville video at least a thousand times in the mid 90's.  It was a gift from Grandma and the kids loved it.  We sang many, many verses about Michael Finnegan and his whiskers.  The unending tune has come back to haunt me this week - both in Zentangles and stitching.

Last week I reported progress on my knitted "Flag Afghan".  This week -- not so much.  I have started and restarted this project countless times because I was auditioning various stitches, or I made a mistake and had to unravel a portion.  I finally settled on a basic knit stitch, worked out my tension issues, and completed one of the five sections . . .and I don't like it.  So, begin again.  

This time I'm using a looser stitch that more closely resembles the crochet in the inspiration picture.  I didn't bother to take a picture, because so far it looks like an 8x15 red rectangle.  Not picture worthy.  Dave just shakes his head at my many restarts, but I assure him that it's a good thing.  This may be the world's cheapest craft project, because I could be knitting the same skeins of yarn indefinitely.

My Tangled Thursday attempts were along the same lines.  Elaine challenged us to create a drawing using String 109 from tanglepatterns.com.  No brilliant ideas struck me at first glance, so I copied and pasted the string onto some practice sheets of regular copy paper, so I could try various options without redrawing the string.  Good thing, because I had to frequently "begin again".

I finally had several partial ideas that I liked and combined them into two drawings on higher quality sketch paper:

Technically, I think I used the string upside down, but it just seemed to inspire more ideas that way.  

Tangled Thursdays and Needlework Tuesday are both hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts.  Feel free to join in with either one - it's a fun group and no pressure challenges.

Tangled Thu . . . Friday: My How Time Flies

This week's challenge from Heather is to showcase our favorite Zentangle pattern.  The choice was easy: W2/Huggins - 2 variations of weaving.  I started doodling on graph paper (my favorite way to practice patterns that require a grid).  There are so many ways to vary this idea:

Technically, straight lines and square corners is W2; curved lines and round corners (round corners - is that an oxymoron?) is Huggins.  The size of the circles and degree of line curvature can vary the look.  Filling or trimming the sections creates another look.  Uneven spacing of the corners makes a "crazy" weave.  You can even add flowers or pinwheels - a handy way to cover errors.  It makes a great background or feature.

I ran out of time for actually creating a new tile, but you can bet you'll see this pattern in many future tangles.  Thanks for the challenge and for hosting, Heather.

Tangled Thursday: Graduation

Graduation . . . fresh starts . . . new beginnings . .  This is where my head has been for weeks, if not months.  With two children graduating from college, I've been planning meals and cakes and gifts; and worrying about jobs and houses and future plans.  Naturally, this week's theme for Tangled Thursday involved them all

The Journey Begins Today Challenge - Create a tangle inspred by this drawing:

Our family is setting out in many directions so the ideas of the road and a journey appealed to me.  Here is my interpretation - 

The diverging paths is a pretty obvious reference and the herringbone pattern was inspired by the Yellow Brick Road - a nod to our family's Kansas roots - as was the tangle in the lower right, which reminded me of a waving wheat field.  The tangle in the center triangle made me think of graduation tassels.  On the left is a reference to the prayer quilts I made them.  The others are just pretty.  

To see how others were inspired, visit our hostess, Heather at Books and Quilts.

In other tangling news, Amanda helped Mitch decorate his new home, and she wanted to include one of my drawings.  Most of what I had on hand involved flowers and other frills that didn't match his bachelor pad, so I created a tangle just for him.  This is the Fort Hays State Tiger - mascot of Mitch's Alma Mater.

I traced and simplified the image into an outline for tangling.

I added "masculine" tangles - no curly-ques or flowers - and a woven background.  

Woven into the drawing are the university initials, Mitch's initials, and the date of graduation.  Mitch was much happier to have this hanging on his living room wall.

Tangled Thursday Challenge

It's my turn to select a challenge for Tangled Thursday participants and I've selected something a little outside the box.  Mitch and Amanda will both be graduating from college this weekend.  Over the last couple months, we have been fielding questions about job searches, grad school applications, moving . . . 

At the same time, Dave and I are facing a new phase of life - true "empty nesters".  Our children will all be grown, educated, self-sufficient adults -- well, mostly -- and our focus can shift a bit.

All these new beginnings wormed their way into my thoughts on Zentangles.  I wanted to pick a "graduation" theme of some sort, so I went online looking for ideas.  I found this drawing on Pinterest and knew it was my inspiration -- and now it's yours.  

One of my favorite TV shows is Project Runway.  Frequently they give the clothing designers a place or an object to be their inspiration.  Some designers take this very literally and some make such wild connections that I sometimes can't follow.  But that's what inspiration is all about.  So - the challenge is to draw one (or more) Zentangles -- any size, shape and media that you desire -- that is inspired by this drawing.  What form that takes is up to you.  The point is not to copy the drawing, but to let it bounce around in your head until up pops your unique interpretation.

Because I will be traveling this week for graduation ceremonies, this challenge is to be posted on Thursday, May 22.    Your Zentangle journey starts now.  Have fun!

Pinay New Yorker - on Flickr

Tangled Thursdays are a series of challenges hosted by Heather at Books & Quilts.  Participants take turns inventing the challenge, then share their results.  If you love to Zentangle, or want to learn, or just want to see what everyone comes up with, visit Heather and link up.  Newcomers are always welcome and there is no judging.  Just creativity and fun.

Tangled Thursday: Sssssssss...

Marie is hoping for Spring to sssssspring - ssssssoon!  So this week's challenge revolves around the letter S.  All tangles used must start with S.  After that, each participant is free to include S in any manner they chose - or not.  I ssssstarted by ssssssearching for S-tangles, practicing them, then incorporating them into a tile.  Here are my two results:

Two S's form the string, filled with six brand new (to me) tangles.  "Screen" and "Sand Swirl" are my newest favorites.  They. will be showing up frequently.

Five of the same tangles - plus "Showgirl"  - and a string made from three S's.  Excuse the funky flower on top that went wrong somewhere.

Thanks for the ssssswell challenge, Marie.  I believe it's my turn to name the next challenge, so ssssstay tuned for the announcement.

Tangled Thursday is hosted by the sssssssspectacular Heather @ Books and Quilts.  

I'm Late...I'm Late...

“How did it get so late so soon? 

It's night before it's afternoon.

 December is here before it's June. 

My goodness how the time has flewn. 

How did it get so late so soon?”

               - Dr. Seuss

Or maybe I should just say "Second verse, same as the first . . . "  I keep whining about how working full time is messing with my blogging time, but whining isn't helping.  I'm going to have to come up with a plan to balance, work, family, housekeeping, crafting/sewing and reading.

In the mean time, here's last week's Tangled Thursday post and today's Needlework Tuesday post - all wrapped up into one delayed display.

The Tangled Thursday challenge was to tangle "Easter" - in whatever form you chose.  I made a couple of attempts that didn't end well, so had nothing to post last Thursday.  But since it's not quite Easter yet, I completed the challenge ... belatedly.

One "non-traditional" Tangle  based on a stained-glass cross I saw on-line,
combined with a "how to draw a lily" lesson.

And one traditional Tangle tile.

Moving on to Tuesday (which is almost over).  I started a new project I'm really liking.

This is the first 1/4 of a shawl, made from some beautiful, chunky yarn I picked up with no specific purpose in mind. The picture doesn't do justice to the lovely aqua color.  This is knitted on a 11 1/2" circle loom, using the Figure 8 stitch.  It is temporarily on hold until this weekend when I can get more yarn.  While I wait, I worked on the knitted baby blanket I posted about a week or two ago, and on my "book" quilt, and . . .

I had a Martha Stewart moment and decopaged my Easter eggs  I saw this idea, which is based on an idea from Martha's web-site, on Pinterest.  It was so simple and I love the results.

If you decide to try this, I would recommend cutting the napkins into smaller pieces and overlapping them.  That method reduces the bulk of paper on the back side.  I did a few each way.   It took them a lot longer to dry (over night) than I expected, but once they did, the finish is very durable.  I have mine out on display so, obviously, they are no longer edible, but if you return them to the fridge to dry and store, you can crack them open for lunch later.

And speaking of LATEr... back to the drawing board for that time management plan...

Tangled Thursday: An Unusual Substrate

When Dave saw me taking pictures for this week's Tangled Thursday challenge, he pondered the subject matter and said "Oh, that's your substrate."  Well . . . sure - if you say so.  I had to look it up.

Substrate:  The base on which an organism lives; a substance acted upon.

Or in carpentry lingo, the plywood base underneath the shingles on your roof.   

Heather's challenge was to Zentangle on something other than paper - an unusual substrate.  I knew instantly what I was going to do.  I saw an idea on Pinterest, using Sharpie markers on wax paper to create a stained-glass look to be hung in a window.  How cool would that be with Zentangles?  Well . . . not that cool, as it turns out. 

The wax coating keeps the ink from covering well and makes the colors - even black - look faded.  I tried on both sides, but wasn't happy with it, so I moved on to . . .

Easter eggs!  That was another idea that was better in theory than in practice.  The back two eggs are mistakes.  The front one was relatively successful, so I guess the idea is feasible, but the curve and the textured surface made it challenging.

Third time's a charm . . .  My unusual substrate of choice is mini-paint canvases. I bought this package of six 3" canvases as part of a craft challenge for my daughter (more on that later).  Again, the rough texture made it difficult to draw a straight line, so that's where the gold paint-pen came in.  I filled in the flower petals to cover all the places where my pen jumped.  I applied 4 coats of Mod-Podge to seal the ink and - voila - a coaster.

I wouldn't mind trying more of these, but they need to be slightly bigger to hold your average coffee cup.  I'll be watching the bargain aisle for 4" or 5" canvases.

Visit Heather @ Books and Quilts to see what other unusual substrates got Zentangled.

Tangled Thursday: Weaving

Since it was my turn to create this week's challenge, I used two of my favorite patterns - W2 and Huggins - which resemble weaving.  The challenge was to create a drawing containing weaving in any form you wanted.

My first try is a copy of a tangle I saw on line - so no points for creativity, but it sure was fun.

"Huggins" filled with "Paradox"

My second creation is a more traditional tile using Huggins, W2, Basketweave, Tri-Linz and a couple more whose names I don't know.

If you want to see what everyone is drawing or link up your own creations, visit our hostess, Heather @ Books & Quilts.

Tangled Thursday Challenge: Oh, What Tangled Webs We Weave . . .

The two Zentangle patterns below are my favorites to draw.  They work their way into nearly everything I draw.  So the challenge this week is to tangle a weaving.  You may use W2, Huggins, Bask-It, Basketweave, or any other pattern that makes you think of weaving.  They can be used alone, in conjunction with other patterns, in black and white, in color or in theory . . . Whatever you imagine.  Have fun!

Huggins

W2

Tangled Thursday is hosted by Heather @ Books & Quilts.  If you would like to join the fun, ask me for details or visit Heather to see past challenges.

Images courtesy of TanglePatterns.com

Tangled Thursday: Brrrrrrrrrr.....

Temperatures below freezing, snow flurries, icicles . . . winter seems to be the theme for everything these days - including this week's Zentangle Challenge.  Thoughts of winter brought thoughts of snuggling in a quilt by the fire or layering on clothes to go outside.  I combined the two warm thoughts and tangled a couple mitten quilt blocks that I found on-line.

Sorry, I don't know the names of all of the patterns used.  Some of them I saw in other people's tangles and recreated, and the lower, right mitten in the second picture is a pattern I created myself (although it's entire possible that someone else already thought of it and gave it an official name).

Tangled Thursday is hosted by Heather at Books & Quilts.  Anyone can join in - beginners to experts. There is a new theme each week to interpret however you like.  Visit Heather to see how everyone is tangling winter, and leave a link to your own drawing if you want.

Tangled Thursday: A Jar of Tangles

Elaine chose the theme for this week's Zentangle challenge: A Jar Full of Tangles.

I pondered drawing a jar and tangling it in; or filling an actual jar with Zentangled tiles; or drawing on a long strip of paper that would fit around the inside of the jar... but my recent infatuation with drawing flowers led to this idea:

A jar full of Zentangled flowers

Tangled Thursday is hosted by Heather @ Books and Quilts.  Stop by and see what everyone is drawing and leave a link to your own post.  

Tangled Thursday: Circles

Will it go round in circles....The Circle of Life . . . spinning wheel's got to go 'round... the wheels on the bus go round and round...   "Circular" song lyrics have been going round and round in my head all week as I contemplated ways to use circles in my Zentangles.  I finally decided to take advantage of the lessons Heather posted last week and practice drawing by the Zentangle "rules".  

A string involving circles plus patterns that include circles

I also tried spiral versions of a circle.

Visit Heather @ Books and Quilts to link up your Zentangle post and find next week's challenge.

Zentangle and the Olympics

The Winter Olympics begin tonight.  I probably watch more TV during the two weeks of the Olympics than any other time of year.  I love the figure skating, but also enjoy speed skating, some of the skiing ... and 4 years ago I even got hooked on curling.  There's more strategy there than you would think at first glance.

In honor of the opening ceremonies tonight, todays Zentangle features the Olympic circles.  

Tangled Thursday is hosted by Heather @ Books & Quilts.  Stop by to see what others are drawing and to link up your Zentangles.

Tangled Thursday: Paisley

This week's Tangled Thursday challenge was "paisley".  Simple - paisley is evidently my favorite shape because it sneaks it's way into nearly everything I draw.  But it turned out to be more of a challenge than I expected to dedicate an entire tangle to paisley.

I know I'm dating myself again - as I did in the daisy challenge - but paisley immediately brings thoughts of the 1960's , hippies and psychodelic:

Drawn with Neon Sharpies on 5x7 heavy sketch paper

My second thought was water drops:

It's a very simple tangle - only uses four patterns - but I like it for it's simplicity. This was also drawn with Sharpies on 5x7 heavy sketch paper.

A word about Sharpies.  I have purchased a variety of types of pens including some comparatively expensive architect pens, but I always return to the good old fine-line sharpie.  I like the width of line, I like the way it flows, and I like the way the ink reacts on paper.  I buy them by the dozens at Dollar General.  I still break out the high-dollar pens for detailed work, but most of the time it's a Sharpie.  I'm a simple girl!

Tangled Thursday is hosted by Heather @ Books & Quilts.  Visit Heather to see how everyone interpreted "paisley" - and join in if you like.