TANGLES BY THE SEA

Many of the entries in this week’s Diva Challenge are so beautiful … and, of course, I love all the ocean-themed pieces.  They are so pretty and the shading is exquisite!  It’s also very interesting to see what “just circles” can create.

I can see where I’ve taken time and concentrated on the direction of my pen with some nicely shaped circles.  Then there’s the others!  Oh well … “no perfection”.  I used a piece of paper we received at “Tangle by the Bay” in San Diego back in April – (Stonehenge Rising – Grey).

The pattern chosen by the Diva this week was one I had never used – “Umble” which was created by Rick & Maria.   I grabbed a Bijou tile and did a little practice.  It was in the evening so my lighting wasn’t the best.  When I grabbed my Graphic 1 pen to fill in the lines, I didn’t realize I had a brown pen in my hand until I was done and took a closer look!  However, I like the combo of the black and brown – it was an unexpected finish to my first Umble tile.  On my original tile, I did a little Umble with some Flux and Zinger, and a piece of Henna Drum.  Stuck to the black pen on this one though.

Practice … Bijou with Umble and Crescent Moon

Diva Challenge #223 – Umble, Flux, Zinger, and a piece of Henna Drum (on original 3.5 x 3.5 tile)

One thing I’ve discovered in the last few weeks, I wasn’t liking the look of my patterns using the 01 pen.  My lines seemed kind of “scratchy” and very shaky.  I’ve been using an 03 lately and liking that  better.  A fellow CZT in our group here in San Diego,  Charlotte Carpentier of Temecula, CA, has such nice, bold strokes in her work.  I like the effect she gets … maybe using an 03 will help me get bolder lines! I want to give a shout out  to the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team currently competing in the Women’s World Cup (and being hosted by Canada).   They’ve made it to the quarterfinals and will now play England this coming weekend.  Being of Canadian roots, I can’t help but pull for the team … go Team Canada!

Don’t forget to sign up now for my Intro to Basics class at Icarus Creative Arts Studio & Gallery in the historic Bernardo Winery on Sunday, July 19th, 1-3pm Sign-up on Class Schedule Page

This week the Diva Challenge called for using color … “Colors of the Rainbow”.  I always like to use color so this challenge was fun to create.  I’ve included Antidots, Flux, Meer, Msst, and Poke Leaf patterns on my tile with watercolor pencils. As noted in my previous post, I’ve schedule a “Introduction to Zentangle” class at the Icarus Creative Arts Studio & Gallery in the historic Bernardo Winery in the San Diego area.  I needed to create examples for their “class table” so I’ve put together the following.  Here’s hoping it gets people excited to take the journey!  I’m excited to show them the way …

I have finalized plans to teach an “Introduction to Zentangle Basics Class” at the Icarus Creative Arts Studio & Gallery in the historic Bernardo Winery!  The class will be held on Sunday, July 19th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  The cost is $40.00 which includes all supplies for this two hour workshop.  Come early and enjoy lunch at the Winery or stay late and have a glass of wine or two in the Tasting Room!  You won’t be disappointed by this very unique location. Come begin your Zentangle journey at Icarus!

Sign up now to reserve your seat at tanglesbythesea@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!  Any questions, contact me at the same email address.

Our group in San Diego meets the second Monday of each month to share three hours of Zentangle.  Sometimes we do simple projects like “community tiles” where we section our tiles off into the number of people in attendance, then pass them around in the circle and fill in one space each.  Other times, someone will lead the gathering and share something new and fun ….

Like this week.  Rho Densmore (along with her cohorts Linda and Gina), showed us all about alcohol inks.  Me, not being a “crafter”, thought I can’t do this.  But, once she showed us the steps, it was so much fun!    We had two glossy, white ceramic tiles to play with – applying the inks and then tangling with Identipens.  Now the mystery is how to seal them.  One cool thing about it, if you don’t like it, just take some rubbing alcohol and remove it.  Confession … which I did today with one of my Monday tiles.

I came home from Michael’s and cleaned off that tile, then went to work applying all my new inks.  Made a few attempts and then got one I really liked. Did a little ocean scene on it, but my Identipen bled in a few spots.  I know it was dry, but maybe not all the way underneath where the inks were layered.  Fun afternoon quick project.

This would be a fun class to teach.  Need to perfect my own skills first though.  Thanks Rho for sharing!

What’s up with that title you might ask … well, that is the registered name of my adorable Australian Shepherd, Olivia.  Thought I’d share a ZIA I made of an Aussie in honor of her and her breed.

A fellow Tangler here in San Diego shared some beautiful pieces of art that she had done for her family.  She had tangled a picture for everyone in the family who had a pet, using their breed as the template.  They were so inspiring (and awesome) that I had to come home and do one of my own!  Thanks Wendy Grey!

This was my result.

One of the bonuses I’ve received from embarking on my Zentangle journey has been the new friends I have made.  Recently, I was contacted by a new CZT who was going to be in the La Jolla area for a few days and wondered if I’d be teaching any classes.  I wasn’t, but I thought it would still be fun to get together and share “our stories”.  So a lunch date was made … and I took the opportunity to invite other CZT’s from here in San Diego to join us.

Last Monday, Lauryn Eldon, CZT #18 from Massachusetts, met fellow CZT’s Suzanne Wilka (#4), Denise Knobloch (#8) and myself (#14) for a very enjoyable couple hours of lunch and Zentangle talk!  I realized that never in a million years would I have invited a “stranger” to have lunch with me … but knowing the Zentangle community through seminar and my local friends, I really looked forward to meeting Lauryn and sharing San Diego stories with her.

She shared a couple awesome books that she makes … two sizes for Zentangle … one for regular tiles and one for Bijous.  I couldn’t help but buy the beautiful green and purple book for my Bijous.  The other ladies couldn’t help themselves either!  Nice bonus for our lunch time visit – shopping while seated at our table.  It was a great afternoon spent with my Zentangle friends …

Leldon Designs
handcrafted creations – each one unique
leldondesigns@gmail.com

A great day was had by all who attended “Zentangle on the Bay” in San Diego on Saturday, April 25th.  Held at Mission Bay Yacht Club, 24 guests enjoyed a full day of comraderie, learning, good eats and tangling!  Awesome “swag boxes” awaited all who came and several “projects” made the day just perfect.  If you missed this one, make a point of coming out next time.  We know how to have a good time!

Classes have been scheduled for April  …. “Beyond the Basics” at Paper Tales in the Pt. Loma area of San Diego. Sunday, April 12th from 1-3pm, we’ll explore new patterns, add a new pen to your “collection”, and create some beautiful art!

If you haven’t tried Zentangle yet, I have a “Basic Zentangle” class coming up on Sunday, April 19th from 1-3pm.  Learn what it’s all about and start your Zentangle journey.  No experience necessary – don’t be afraid because it’s “art” – everyone can do this! Paper Tales is very easy to get too, and a really nice setting for a class.

Remember too … you receive 15% off anything you purchase in the store that day! Call the store at 619/222-2510 and put your name on the list today. Hope to see you in a couple weeks!

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day this week, the Diva challenged us to create a “green tile – watercolor, pens, crayons, green tea, whatever you wanted as long as you used a bit o’ the green!  Here’s mine … better late than never!  I pulled out a pre-strung tile for my canvas, then a green Sakura micron and shaded with a green Derwent colored pencil.