Zentangle Tile #21 - Challenge String #5

This tile started with an idea and ended with another :)  That ever happen to you guys?  I'm sure it has.  I love the tangle pattern "knighbridge," so I wanted to do this tile with just that tangle.  It did not come out as good as it was in my head but hey!! No judgement here, right?

I don't even know if the flower is an actual pattern or if it is what is the name. I'm pretty sure I've seen it somewhere but for the life of me can't think of it.

I followed the string lines and just tangle on knightbridge in different directions.  He great thing about Zentangle, there are no do overs, just continue on and see where it takes you.  I added some color with my gel pen and some shading and we're done with this string, on to the next!



Thanks for the visit and continue finding joy in the little things!

Wonderingmindfield

Click HERE for string link!

Zentangle Tile #19: TanglePatterns String #003

http://tanglepatterns.com/2012/06/tanglepatterns-string-003.html

Here is a tile I created using the tanglepatterns string #3 Linda Farmer's Tangle Patterns.com has published.  This time I learned from my last tile and decided to only pick 4 patterns and try not to overcrowd the tile too much.

Click on the caption for String 003 and it will take you to TanglePatterns.com.  Give it a try and see what you can create.  The great thing about Zentangle is that there isn't any right or wrong just where your creativity can take you.

Here is my take on string 03.

Since I ran out of Zentangle® official tiles I got an alternative tile I purchased a few months back.  This tiles are acid free and are made by Peter Pauper Press Studio Series Artist’s Tiles.  The are by no means the same quality as the official Zentangle tiles, but in a budget pinch they are not bad to work with, plus they are less than $5.00 at Amazon.

For this tile I used the following tangles:

     Shard – Zentangle® Pattern
     W2 – Suzanne McNeil
     BTL Joos – Sandy Bartholomew
     Merryweather – Sandy Hunter

Have a great day and remember to hug a loved one today for no special reason, just because they are in your life. 


WonderingMindField

Zentangle Tile #18: Tangle String 002

This is my second tile of my personal challenge using the string in the TanglePatterns.com and I'm however a little out of practice.  I had decided to just randomly pick patterns and make them work in the tile and boy was that hard.  I wrote names on little pieces of paper and then would pick them and draw them on the string.

One thing I learned is that I don't always have to fill every space with a
different tangle, is ok to repeat patterns to make the tile more pleasing.  The good thing is that there are plenty of strings on Linda's web site to practice with.

If you click on the caption under the string picture it will direct you to it on the Tanglepatterns.com website.  Go check it out is a really nice website with lots of information.


Thanks for visiting and remember that mistakes are just occasions to learn.  Have safe and creative day!

WonderingMindField

http://tanglepatterns.com/2012/05/tanglepatterns-string-002.html

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Zentangle Tile #17: Tangle Patterns String Personal Challenge!

Back in January, I posted on my a blog about starting my own personal Zentangle Challenge.  Well life had many other ideas that got in the way and I honestly forgot about it until I saw the post while re-arranging my blog.  Well we can't have that!

I am following the strings published in the Tanglepatterns.com website by the wonderful Linda Farmer, CZT.  If you have not visit her website please do so, it is jam packed with tangles, string, and many other Zentangle related information.  If you go to the "strings" section and then to the last page you will find the first string published, which is where I am starting this challenge.

(click here to be directed)

You can also purchase Linda's e-book where she has all the strings and most of tangles offered in her website for a very affordable price.

I have been a little out of practice with the Zentangle, but hopefully I will be able to make more time for this great artistic venue.

Have fun and a great day and as always it is your creative soul that needs to be set free!

WonderingmindField

New Year's Goal for my Art...

CRAZY, CRAZY, and CRAZIER!!!!  I can't believe my last post was in November of last year!  I have been so neglectful of this blog I am sooo ashamed!  

The truth is that it has been a tough few months.  I decided to go back to school and did not realized how much time it would take to accomplish this new face in my life.  Between one full-time job, one part-time job, going to school 15 hours a week and trying to take care of the family I could not seem to find the time to do a little art.  Did I mention I've been remodeling my home a little bit too!  Looney bin here I come! 

Anyhow, enough with the complaining. It is time for re-organizing my time and as a New Year's goal (not resolution!)  I will attempt to set aside at least an hour a week to create some Zentangle^® or Zenspirations^® art.  The first thing I have done is set up my traveling pouch in order to carry with me and use anytime I have a little break, either at my work lunch break or during class breaks.  Little by little I’m sure I can complete something each week.  

For my Mixed media the goal is to dedicate 1 to 2 hours on Sunday mornings when everyone is sleeping in.  Some oatmeal and light music and go to town with my paints and paper.  With determination I think is time to get back to what calms me and brings me peace and joy.  Life is too crazy and fast paced, I need to make time to slow down and get back to exploring my wondering mind field!

Here is a little tile I completed a while ago and had not had a change to post until now…I used BTL by Sandy Bartholomew and Webz by JeanTheurkauf among some of the tangles.  These two ladies are very talented and I enjoy seeing their art.

Thank for visiting my little corner of the Internet and my apologies for the neglect.  As always stay safe and keep searching for our creative joy!

WonderingMindField

My Personal Zentangle® String Challenge!

I have been looking and following many other great and holy awesome Certified Zentangle Teachers and a lot of them participate in “The Diva Challenge.”  The work I’ve seen, blows my mind on how good they are and honestly I feel like a kindergarten kid competing against the teachers, so I haven’t had the nerve to even create a tile for the Challenge.  This is a personal issue and nothing to do with the challenge or the great ladies who participate in the challenge.  I guess I feel I don’t know enough tangles or have enough time to come up with ideas for it.  Lately, however, I’ve wanted to use more of the traditional methods and take my practice of Zentangle® to say, 1st grade level.

TanglePatterns String 001

After some thinking I thought to do my own self-challenge.  Using the TanglePatterns.com “string” section as a guide I will challenge myself to use those strings as inspiration. I will create traditional Zentangle® tiles without using stencils (my comfort zone go to supply), so I’m going to start with string 001.  This website has some great information and many, many links to all kinds of tangles and helpful information.  It is run by Linda Farmer, CZT and if you really like it throw her a donation.  The site is free but all that work she does deserves a little donation!

So, here I go, wish me luck and if you like the strings please click on the caption under the picture and it will direct you to TanglePatterns.com where you can download the string and find the creator and any other information you might need.

Please remember that ALL the strings are property of the creator and TanglePattern.com, so please contact them about any issues or questions. Do not overstep the copyright boundaries and lets all support and be nice to those with superior talents!!PEACE IN THE CREATIVE WORLD!  (I know, I laid it out a little thick…)  As soon as I complete the tile using this string I will do a quick post to show off my kindergarten skills!!!!

Be safe and fill your soul with creativity and most of all be safe…

WonderingMindField

Butterfly (Zentangle-Inspired Art)

My daughter is a Graphic Design college student and she has a very lovely best friend who is like our adopted daughter.  She is just a great person and just talking to her makes you smile.  Every time she gives me a present is always a hand made card with one of her original drawing and I always cherish them and have them on a little ledge where I put mementos.  She just turned 21 and I made her card using Zentangle(r) and a stencil that reminds me of her.  A butterfly card for a butterfly girl!

 I used a butterfly stencil I've had for the longest time (sorry, don't have the original package and don't know the manufacturer) and with my Micron pen drew the outline and filled int the spaces with some tangles.  The color came from my Fiskars Gel Pen.  I used only one color to add accent not to overpower the design and did some shading to add depth.  I wrote her name on the Envelope and also shaded the letter and used the same gel pen to ad some color.

I rather enjoyed creating this and contemplating how long is been since I've know this young woman and what a great friend she has been to my daughter.  We are much better just to have her in our lives, and I hope to keep getting her lovely cards for many years to come!

Enjoy the creative journey to the fullest.

WonderingMindField

“Happiness” Chinese Symbol No. 1

"Happiness" - a spark that can seem impossible to obtain....yet if you stop for a moment and look back you’ll see it has been in your heart…just welcome it and it will comes in little burst of light. – C.Morales

I got this stencil book from Dover Publications with some cute Chinese symbols and got the idea to do a series of of them and decorate them with tangles.  This is my first one and according to the stencil is represents "Happiness".  If it isn't I’m innocent!!! 

I realize after living a few years that happiness isn’t something that comes in big waves, is about just standing still and take stock of the special moments in you life, such as the birth of your child, your first kiss, first dance, first date, etc. Those are the sparks of happiness that touch your heart.  The ones you need to appreciate and know that it is up to you to recognize the little moments of happiness that life throws at you.

Be safe and welcome the sparks of happiness into your heart…

WonderingMindField

Zentangle Tile No. 16

A quick tile to start for start of the day!  I’ve been trying to practice both my Zenspirations® and Zentangle® so every time I learn a new tangle I try to practice on a tile to get better at it.

Mind you is not the easiest thing to do on my busy schedule but I try to always travel with some king of journal on my bag.

I got a new journal I'm loving and will show you soon with a pocket on the back where I store a couple of tiles and blank bookmarks to create on the go.  It is specially great when you are having a stressful moment and just need to take your mind away for a few minutes, you are ready to go with you Zentangle or Zenspirations.

God know I have many stressful moments so creating these tiles is an almost every other day occurance!

On future blogs I will try to post picture of the string or initial outline I use to create the tile or any other so everyone can see my starting point.  Here is my 16th tile for my Zentangle® practice.

As always I hope you get inspire to create..it’s the little things that make life more interesting.  Be safe!

WonderingMindIFeld

Zentangle tile No. 15

I was in an ocean mood, I guess it has to do with coming back from vacation.  I have been practicing some new tangles and started this tile with BTL Joos (left side) and decided to just go with it and the end result was a under water mini garden.

The tangles I used are:

BTL Joos
Fesce (Zentangle)
Tootsiemoon (Alice Hendon)
Doolee Do (Ksenija)
Buggee (Texasdoxiemama)

In this tile the new tangle I learned is "doodle do".  I am not sure if this is an official Zentangle pattern but I saw the tutorial on Tanglepatterns.com® (link) and wanted to try it out.

This is a simple and quick tile which I completed while waiting for the laundry to finish.  Yes! I was doing laundry during my vacation because I do go on vacation on a budget and like to have clean clothes!

I find it so relaxing to do this on my vacation without all the craziness of daily life.  I try to take advantage of the little time I have and create as much as possible.

Have a great day and keep creating for your soul.

WonderingMindField

Zentangle Tile #14

During my much needed vacation I took some of my goodies with me and created a few things.  One thing I wanted to do on my vacation was to fill my journal with a bunch of new tangles I had learned and incorporate them on my Zentangle-inspired art.

I created this tile while sitting watching "House" during a very rainy day with lighting and thunder raging on outside.
The tangles I used (from right to left) are:

• Shamber (Lori Howe)
  
• Cadent (Zentangle) - top
• Crescent Moon (Zentangle) - middle
• W2 (S.McNeil) - right/bottom
• Merry Weather (Sandy Hunter)

My favorite here is "merry weather" which is the tangle on the right side with the round shape.  I learned the tangle from a sheet I found on Pinterest® Sandy Hunter. 

It is a neat pattern that looks harder that it really is to make. Instead of posting the sheet click the word "merry weather" for a link to the steps of how to created this tangle by Sandy Hunter, CZT.  Ms. Hunter shows a few variations of this pattern that are sure to give your tiles a boost.  

I'm really enjoying the learning process and there are so many talented people out there creating some really cool patterns, the possibilities are endless.

Keep creating and be safe!

WonderingMindField

Bookmark No. 8

Ok! So I was on vacation and took some paperback with me to read.  You know the ones you take in the hopes that your family will leave you alone for a few minutes in order to try to catch up.

Anyhow, I was reading along and realized that I never packed a bookmark with my books!  The horror of a reader!! The worst was I did not even have a store receipt to use as a bookmark.  

Then I thought, "hey you have some craft supplies with you (yes I did, don't judge!), let's Zentangle® a bookmark for the blog and then use it!  So here is what I created sitting my the pool in 30 minutes or so, too relax to keep good track of time.

The top pattern is a new one I just learned while on vacation and it is called "beeline."  If you click on the link you can see the steps created by Maria Thomas, who is the creator of the Zentangle® Teaching Method.  I like the square dimension you can create with some shading.

The other patterns are called:

• Golven (Marlet)
• Kaleido (S. Batholomew)
• Crescent Moon (Zentangle)
• Jump (Suzanne McNeil)

Quick and fun little project...a perfect start to a relaxing day. Keep creating and always find time to relax and create.

WonderingMindField

Zentangle Tile #12

Just a quick and easy tile this week!  I am trying to be more clean on my tile and not to cram too much into them.  I find myself putting too many tangles into just one little tile that my tiles have been looking a little crowded.

I took my stencil (yes, that word again!!) and traced it on a “apprentice” tile and went to town with some tangles.  I did realize with this tile that  need to get going on learning more patterns.  Sometimes I get so comfortable with a method or in this case some patterns that I keep using them over and over.  I keep using the little bubbles and still haven’t found the name for it!  Is to cute and versatile that it keeps finding its way into many or my creations.

I did find some great patterns on Pinterest® so I created a board to keep all the great patterns handy for practice time.  So it is time to get my binder out and explore some more patterns.

I did colored the flower shape with “tumbled glass” color market from Tim Holtz™ Distressed Marker, then drew my patterns in.  Sometimes is nice to create something simple and sit back and enjoy a quite moment in time.

As always, take time to find your creative joy and nourish your soul!

WonderingMindField

Zentangle Tile #13

The official Zentangle® tiles are really a of great quality.  The ink shows off so well and the texture is just yummy!  I only use these when I really want to created sometime for display.  I have a binder where I keep all my nicer tiles.  Grant you there are not that many but the I’m hoping to fill it up.

I just went with the flow on this tile I started with the ribbon on the middle and just added the pods on each side with some swirls.  If you have read my blog before or looked at some of the other tiles and are I’ve made you will know my obsession with stencils.  I’m very proud to say I did not use one on this tile!!!!  Yohoo for me!  I kept the tangles to a minimum and just enjoy the simplicity of the lines.

I got these plastic sheet inserts at www.cropstop.com (Zentangles® Supplies) and the pockets fit the 3 ®1/2 x 3 1/2 tiles perfectly.  The only think I had to due was trimmed the plastic sheet a little in order to fit my binder I have.  I wanted the sheets to be 8 1/2 wide from the tab on the left to the edge on the right.  The pages are thick, and the tiles look nice and clear.   The 144 tile packet is $15 and the 60 tile packet is $7.50. (If anyone knows a cheaper price please share!! 

I highly recommend them to keep your best tiles nicely protected to show off to friends and family.

Remember have fun and laugh with your heart.
WonderingMindField

Zentangle® Tile #11:

I recently went to a Zentangle Basics class with Emily Classon and learned a new a couple of tangles.  The problem is that I forgot to write the names down.    I have to do some research and find the names so I can add them to my Zentangle Binder.  In the meantime this is my very simple but I think is kind of cute Zentangle Tile for this week.

I kept this tile simple and used a flower stencil for the outline.  I know I use a lot of stencils when I create these tiles but the truth is that I do use them because I find inspiration in them.  I like my drawings to have a form and I’m still very much a beginner when it comes to drawing. 

Drawing with just the tangles still something I am working on and hopefully someday I can be half as good as some of the other artists who just draw with the tangles on a blank page and create crazy good pictures.

 In the meantime I find stencils a great help and my way of creating something pretty without stressing too much about how to tackle that blank page.  Some of the tangles I used on this tile are crescent moon, w2, hollibaugh, and squid (variation).  The stencil is again from my little stash of paper stencil from Plaid™.

I guess my lesson with this tile is that I don’t have to be super talented at drawing to still have a nice quite time creating something pretty.  Isn’t there a saying that says “practice makes perfect?”  Well perfection is overrated but practice isn’t. 

Have a great day and keep on practicing!!!

WonderingMindField

Zentangle® Tile #10

Feeling rather whimsical!  I was going thru some stencils I had looking for an art journal moment of inspiration and instead I got a Zentangle® moment of inspiration…!  I got this set of paper stencils sold by Plaid® and there was my cute little mushroom.  A grabbed it along with an “Apprentice” Zentangle tile and this is the result of my detour inspiration.

    Tangles used:


      Bubbles  
      Hollybaugh  -  Zentangle®
      Leafvine
      Antz  -  Sandra Brandli
      Fiore – Jona Rogers
      Zig-Zag  -  Suzanne McNeil

Notes:

• I started with tracing the stencil and adding the circles and the middle of the mushroom to give a more correct shape and look.  I then used different tangles to decorate the top and middle of the mushroom; hollybaugh, Zig-Zag, and bubbles.
• The leaf vine follows.  Filled the bottom with it as if it was spreading.  They were colored in “peacock grees’ using a Prismacolor® colored pencil.
• The last touch were the ants.  I saw the steps for this tangle I have been dying to use it for a while so while creating the vine I thought this was a good place to put those cute little critters.

This tile took about 40 minutes while watching “Grimm” the TV series.  Love that show!  Well hope you like it and as always thank you for visiting and never stop searching for your creative joy!

Wonderingmindfield

Zentangle® Class

Just a quick blog regarding a Zentangle® class I took with Emily Glasson, CZT from Lowell, MA.  Emily is a charming and enthusiastic certified teacher with great talent and I had a very nice time

taking her class.  I created this two tiles during the class and it really remind me how great it is to create tangles on the official Zentangle® tile.
 
In a lot of my recent art I have been using other types of papers and I really missed working on the official tiles.  The paper is such good quality and the tiles look so sharp and smooth.  My reason for not using the officials tiles more often is that they are little bit expensive, so I use them when I want to showcase a tile.  As a beginner that does not happen often, since I am still in the practicing stage.

I like taking these classes and encourage you to at least try it once.  With the right instructor you learn and relax at the same time!  Remember, you can go to the Zentangle® website and they have listed many certified teachers from all over the world.

Have fun and find your creative joy,

WonderingMindField

My Little Turtle

I was creating this for my Shop and after I was done I went  to my computer and stated to compose the inside message.  After I was done I loaded my card into the printer and the cover words came out really nice, next was the inside message which also printed pretty nice, all was well until I loaded the card to print my shop name on the back of the card.

Mind you I wrote my own directions down on how to load the card in the printer so everything is aligned and printed correctly.  But I was a little distracted and read my OWN directions wrong and loaded the card the wrong way and the shop name and all the other information printed on the inside of the card!!!  All the careful work and I mess it up and have no one to blame but myself.

Anyway, I started all over and made a new card and everything was printed correctly the second time around.  But I really liked the card and did not want to throw away the one I ruined, so I took my scissors and cut the front out and framed it on a clear acrylic frame ($.89) and placed it on my shelf.  I can look at it every time I am in my craft table.  I like the words and think they are words to stride to live by.  You know what they say make lemonade out of lemons…!

How it was created?

With a stencil I traced the outline to make the card look more neat then drew a tangle on each of the section that formed the turtle.  I used a Sakura® Micron .01 – Brown pen to draw the entire design and I also used the Sakura® Clear Glaze pen to add accent to the little turtle.  The font is “papyrus” and it was also printed using brown ink.

Some of the Zentangle® patterns used:

• Bubbles
• Hollybaugh (Zentangle)
• Kaleido (S.Bartholomew)
• Crescent Moon (Zentangle)
• Chard (Linda Farmer)
• Printemps (Zentangle)
• Buttercup (S.Bartholomew)
• Knightbridge (Zentangle)

When you find find your creative joy the possibilities are endless and accidents become works or inspiration.

Have a safe day!

WonderingMindField

Zentangle Tile #9

I had an idea about flags (I know, weird) and this is what I came up with.  I learned this cute new tangle called Coil and wanted to try it out, so flag is the first thing that came to mind.  So while watching an episode of "The Blacklist" I created this tile.

There is a happy accident on this tile and it is "tux."  I do not know if this is similar to any other pattern but in this case it was created out of necessity.  I did not want to start all over, this was my last tangle.  I was on the earliest stages of the tangle "planateen" when I messed up the curved line.  I look at it and decided to improvise by adding some extra lines and dots and tux was born (I will write up the steps and post the tutorial on the blog soon).

This was the first time I had to tell myself to just work with what I had and not to worry too much and just enjoy the fruits of my labor.

This is a breakdown of the tangles I used for this tile.  
Be safe and keep searching for your creative joy!

WonderingMindField

Zentangle Tile #8

The other day I saw some art work with paisley and I thought that was the one shape I had not tried yet.  I have bed sheets with this design so how do I draw it?  Well let just say it took me a few tries.    The buggers looked a little too much like...well, somethings are best left to the imagination.  I knowwww, now I put the thought in your head.  Anyhow, I will continue to practice and hope to get better.

Some of the tangles I used are: (starting from the left)

• Double Forz (Variation) – Margaret Bremner, CZT
• Printemps - (Z)
• Leaf Vine
• In and Out – (SM)
• Bubbles
• Keiko – (Z)
• Paisley

By the way I created this tile while waiting for the clothes to dry.  Multi-tasking!  My life in a nut shell.  Take care and always look for your creative joy…

WonderingMindField