TANGLES BY THE SEA

This week’s Diva Challenge is perfect for this hectic, busy time of the year.  Just “keep it simple” … which I did with a little Vertigough and Aha.  Used my Wink of Stella glitter pens to add a little glitz and … here it is!

I would like to dedicate my blog post this week to a long time friend and coworker who passed away last week.  Elizabeth worked with my husband and I for thirty years …. you don’t find that kind of loyalty anymore.  She was hindered with a few disabilities after several strokes the past few years, but she still came to work with a smile on her face and never complained about a thing.  She was a calming force within the company and could deal with the worst of them …. she just “kept things simple” and never got overwhelmed by anyone or anything.  We will miss her very much.  Peace to you our dear friend.

… for Elizabeth …

This week the Diva has returned.  She has challenged us with the newest pattern from Zentangle called “Arukas” (Sakura spelled backwards!).  Sakura is the brand of pens we use for drawing the patterns.

Our once-a-month Zentangle Club in San Diego met this past Monday …. and for the first time, everyone in attendance was a CZT!  That was pretty cool to sit and chat with those who went before us (waaaaay before us – Suzanne Wilka – Class #4) to one of the newest CZT’s – Karen Calder Corvan from Class #17!  San Diego has it covered!

Our host, Janet Masey, suggested we all do the Diva Challenge for the week, or she had some cute reindeer outlines to tangle if you preferred.  Here is my entry to the stack of “Arukas” tiles.  Check out the Diva’s website to see all the others.

This week’s Diva Challenge was to use your non-dominant hand to create your tile.  So, my very uncooperative left hand drew my string and then I began to tangle.  I had been told to just “go slow” and it will help.  Well, some lines got a little squiggly and out of control, but the end result isn’t too bad.  In fact, I may even try it again!  Check all the other submissions at the Diva’s website.

Patterns “attempted” … Zinger, Aha(?), Croon,
Meer, Printemps, Flux, & N’Zepple

With the Diva away taking care of her little guy for the month, the first guest contributor of the month is Chris Letourneau.  While the first Monday of each month is dedicated to using someone’s own pattern, Chris challenged us to use Seton – her pattern inspired by a window at her church. Here is my version – go to the Diva’s website to view all the other awesome entries this week.

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!