TANGLES BY THE SEA

After trying to watch a very disappointing San Diego Chargers football game, I was so excited that I had to leave early and teach my Zentangle class at Paper Tales today!  A group of eight ladies made their way to the store to take my “Beyond the Basics” Class, even though four of them were new.  I struggled this week as to how to teach this class with both newcomers and returnees, but I managed to come up with a plan that I feel worked really well.

As a new teacher of Zentangle, I’m thinking you have to go through a few trial and error sessions before you know how to just roll with it.  My lesson plan was to teach the basic 1st tile using Hollibaugh, Crescent Moon, Static and Jetties.  I didn’t teach Static or Jetties at my beginning class so I figured the returning folks would be getting two new patterns right there.  And, when the class was over, they didn’t mind reviewing the first “tile” lesson anyway.

I then spent about 45 minutes teaching some new patterns which they enjoyed.  We just used a plain piece of paper and practiced the patterns that way.  I then gave each of them (minus three) a pre-colored, pre-strung tile with my infamous maple leaf design!  I had them divide the leaf using a string and use the patterns they’d learned to fill them in.  It was a success!

Now….lesson to the teacher….be sure and call even on the DAY OF CLASS to find out how many people have signed up.  When I called yesterday, there were only four, but today I had eight.  Thankfully, I was prepared with just the right amount of new and “2nd kits”.  The only item I was short on was the pre-done maple leaf tiles.  But, I did remember to take the pattern with me and we quickly made three up minus the color.

Everyone enjoyed the class and expressed interest in learning more.  That makes me feel really good!  Thank you to the participants in todays class at Paper Tales.  Be sure to keep checking their calendar for my next class.

I will be teaching a Beyond the Basics class at Paper Tales in the Point Loma/Sports Arena area next Sunday, November 2nd from 1:00-3:00pm.  If you came to my last class at Paper Tales, bring your supplies.  If you are new to Zentangle, we will do a quick review then get into learning eight new patterns to add to your Zentangle Library.  Sign up today on Paper Tales website.  Looking forward to seeing everyone next Sunday!

The Diva’s Challenge this week came via request of a young admirer of hers.  October 11th is “National Coming Out Day” which was relayed to her by this  young man.  He hoped Laura (the Diva) could base her Challenge on this event.  So …. here is my response to Challenge #188.

I used a  “rainbow” of colors to add color to my tile as well as the following patterns:  Lazy Eights, Gutz, Bunzo & Tortuga

“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.