TANGLES BY THE SEA

“Close your eyes” and draw your string … this is the Diva’s Challenge to us this week.  So, I drew my four dots, made my border and then shut my eyes.

The results …

Today I taught my first Zentangle Class.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  Twelve people signed up at Paper Tales in the Pt. Loma area of San Diego.  It was a great mix of ladies, even a mom and her young daughter.  We finished our two tiles and they all hoped I would be back at Paper Tales to share Zentangle with them again.  I hope so …. I’ve never taught a class in my life and now, I guess at age 59+, I’ve found what I want to do when I grow up!  Thanks to Michelle and Julie at Paper Tales for allowing me to share my passion.  And a special thank-you to the ladies who came to class and said they would come again!

Such a coincidence that this week’s Diva Challenge is “Leaves”.  If you read my last post from just yesterday, you’ll see that our “San Diego/Temecula Sunday Zentangle Club” met at my house.  I had prepared watercolored tiles with a leaf outline for each of us to fill in!  I posted our tile mosaic in that last post, but I’m going to cheat and re-post mine here as my entry to the Challenge.

These last two weeks I’ve been visited by my Aunt and Uncle from Trail, B.C. Canada.  I was really excited to have my Aunt here to participate in the “Sunday Club” so she could meet the awesome ladies I’ve met through my Zentangle journey this past year, and for her to tangle with us.  Although I’d shown her a simple tile last year, she hadn’t touched a micron since then!  I’m posting her tile here, as well …. not bad for my Awesome Aunt Elaine!  Oh … and she asked for a starter kit to take home with her!

Today seven of us met for our monthly “Sunday Zentangle Club”.  My aunt, Elaine, joined us as she’s visiting me from Trail, B.C. Canada.  This was her second Zentangle experience and she did very well (second row on the right)!  Also joining the group this time were Suzanne Wilka, CZT and Charlotte Carpentier, CZT.  Missing was Rho Densmore, CZT, a Sunday group regular.  Our San Diego/Temecula group is growing!

With tomorrow being the first day of Autumn, I watercolored seven tiles and then drew a maple leaf outline on each.  Everyone added their own patterns to complete their leaf.  (One didn’t finish so wasn’t included in the photo!)

This week’s Diva Challenge was to use Molly Hollibaugh’s new pattern “ING”.  This pattern was introduced at CZT Training #14 (which I attended!).  When I was done, I looked at this and thought …. “ING Bird”!  View the other entries at the Diva’s website.

Just confirmed … I will be teaching a “Zentangle Basics” class at Paper Tales, a paper and craft boutique, located at 3960 W. Point Loma Boulevard in the San Diego/Pt. Loma area, on Sunday, September 28th from 12:30 – 2:30pm.  Check my “Zentangle Classes” for more details and how to sign up.

I’m looking forward to sharing the Zentangle method with others …. here’s to the start of their journey!

The Diva has challenged us with “Stripes” this week … use stripes in any way, shape or form. I created a string consisting of four stripes and then filled in each one with Jetties, Hollibaugh, Tipple and Zander.  I do like how the four patterns work together.  

Thanks to everyone who commented on my tile last week. Sometimes it takes a little effort to leave a comment … needing passwords, entering codes, etc … so I do appreciate the time you take to do this.  I also enjoy looking at all the other submissions, and leaving comments.  Remember to go to the Diva’s website and view all the other nice entries in this week’s challenge.

This week’s Diva Challenge is made for me.  We are challenged to use “water” in any way we like.  I chose a sea life ZIA with my tile “brushed” with Derwent “water” colors.

I was disappointed with myself last week as I didn’t finish the Challenge with McDee.  I know there are “no mistakes” in Zentangle, but all my efforts looked like major MISTAKES!  I just couldn’t get the patterns to flow so they never made any sense.  But, this is a new week and I’m back at it.  Maybe others have these brief moments of “?”?

“Squid Party”

Patterns used Squid, Fescu, Zinger, Shiraz, Printemps

I love everything about the ocean and tend to keep my ZIA’s “ocean themed” …. hence the name of this Blog!  I live right near the water so I’m lucky enough to see it every single day.  

Sharing …. Beautiful beach in San Diego, California

View all the other awesome Challenge entries at the Diva’s website.

Zentangle introduced their new “mascot” in June …. a little snail named “Bijou”.  Like Bijou, drawing patterns is very slow and deliberate, all the while enjoying the process and getting lost in your own thoughts.  (At least that’s my interpretation!)  Because of the small size, new tiles were introduced in the way of 2″x2″ …. that is small.  This week’s challenge is to use the new Bijou tiles and create whatever your heart desires.  I felt a garden coming on …..

Patterns used: Dragonair, Zinger, Poke Leaf, Fescu, Angelfish, Raindotty

and in all seriousness … Tripoli

 View them all at the Diva’s website!

Before I get into my submission for this week’s Diva Challenge, I just want to say how much I love Zentangle and the new path it is taking me.   I’ve met some wonderful people who share in this passion, as well as new internet “connections” to keep it growing.  Thanks to Janet, Rho, Suzanne, Sherry, Patty & Elaine.  It’s always fun to get together with you guys!

This week’s Challenge gave me a perfect opportunity to “explore” new patterns.  With my initials being “SB”, I figured I could always use the usual patterns such as Shattuck or Bales, but I opted to try something different.  And, in being different, I decided “no swirls or circles”!  I love the organic patterns but I need to expand and try others.  Here is my attempt done on an ATC tile ….

Patterns used … Swarm & Braze