Diva Challenge #251, Made by Joey #96 & String Challenge #128

I am the Diva Challenge #251

Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day

January 24

This week the Diva's Challenge is to use the logo for the Moebius Syndrome Foundation as the string for our art. The Diva's 5 year old son was born with this rare neurological disorder that affects one in a million people, 5000 people on the planet! Moebius Syndrome effects the lateral nerves of the face where one can't smile, grimace or  look side to side. There are other delayed developmental issues and the inability to resist virus that results in severe illness. It does not affect intelligence. The Diva's young son wants to be a "Bona Fide Paleontologist" when he grows up. I love that!

It's been raining buckets this morning. I'm so perfectly cozy with my coffee in the cafe so I'm not gonna venture to the library to scan my tiles...so apologies for the blurry pics. I cleaned them up as best I could.

Made by Joey Challenge #96

Music series using a "Natural" string

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"Chillon"

This was a relaxing piece. I don't think I've ever used "Chillon" before. I like it.

It's a String Thing Challenge #128

String #129, patterns: Hypnotic and Paradox

I treated myself to a set of calligraphy pens last week with my 30% off Blick coupon. My primary drawing tools are a set of Rapidograph technical pens I've had since art school, some 20+ years ago. I had to send my two finest nib pens off for servicing and needed something in the meantime. I was inspired to try the old school pen and ink by a post I saw recently at Antonine Tangles. This started off as a practice piece, watering down the ink to get the grey tones. I love the variation in line weight but I'm really clumsy with the dripping. I used a grey Inktense pencil for the shading. This was such a relaxing and fun piece to draw.

Zendalas for the Zentangle Artists Trading Card Swap Group

The parameters for this swap are to use 3 1/2 inch Zendala tiles and to use some patterns that are new to me. I've never done Zendalas before and I don't do symmetry or geometric so I had to really struggle to find my take on this. I'm using the new pattern "Hamadox" (Hamail & Paradox) around a gem and then a variety of old and new patterns around it on my watercolor backgrounds.

I tend to approach each swap as an opportunity to perfect a particular pattern or technique by doing something over and over with slight variations. It not only helps me add to my "signature style", it eliminates having to reinvent the wheel with each tile. I love the way these are looking.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Your thoughtful and generous comments truly inspire me.

"The Elegance of Limitations"

Diva Challenge #250

"Bringing it Back to the Old School"

This weeks Diva Challenge was right up my alley after weeks and weeks of bountiful new patterns, gems and other artistic eye candy I've added to my To Do list.

This week we're to get back to the basics of Zentangle~one white tile, one pen, one pencil, one ceremony~"The Elegance of Limitations" in the words of Rick Roberts. I love that. It's so much more Zen than "being crippled by choices", a term I use when I'm overwhelmed. I started by cleaning up the work space, purging my pen bag and putting all of my tools away into their multiple organizing bins and shut them up in the closet. Armed with my pen, pencil, tile and tortillion I hit the cafe.

I decided to approach all of this weeks challenges in this manner.

The most important part of the challenge was not to over think it. I created a simple string using Margaret Bremners "Rope" string. I focused on one section and started with Crescent Moon, one of my "Mac 'n Cheese" patterns. I took my time, being focused and deliberate with each stroke.
Continuing on:

This week "Made by Joey" provided the "sharp" string and Knightbridge. After a holiday hiatus "That's New to Me" is back with "Q" and Barbara Finwall as the artist focus. I love her pattern "Gnarly" I just need to get better at it.

It's a String Thing Challenge #127

Lily Moon's string #127

patterns: Puchong, (O), Zonked & Printemps

...and finally, this weeks string challenge. This was probably the most Zen of all the tiles. It's a little busy but I thoroughly enjoyed doing this one, mainly because I was treated to an official tile (they really do make a huge difference). There were several sections to the string and after a little practice with the two patterns that were new to me (Puchong and (O)) I picked a section and plunged in with Printemps.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Your thoughtful and generous comments make my day!

Made by Joey #94 & It's a String Thing #126

Made by Joey Challenge #94

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Joey starts off the new year with a musical theme and the promise of series inspired challenges. She provided the string (a musical "flat" note) and the pattern "Retro". She also posed the question "Do you listen to music while tangling?" I wish I did, but the answer to that is...uhmnn...not really. If I'm at the cafe, there's music playing, but when I'm at home, I have the TV on. I may or may not be actually watching it and usually I just pop in a DVD I've already seen and just listen to it. My favorite is watching "Poirot" and "Downton Abbey" DVD's from the library. This week, I'm house sitting and have Cable and internet;-) though a limited number of art supplies. I'm flipping between the Cooking Channel and the Food Network, currently engrossed in a Master Chef Canada marathon.

It's a String Thing Challenge #126

String #126

patterns: Popcloud, Phroz and 4Fun

This week's String Challenge...hmnnn... well there's a reason these are called challenges. I could not wrap my pen around the zen this time. I did this yesterday, a rainy day off, coffee and nothing to do but draw. It was the perfect scenario. This took me 3 attempts. Ironically, "4Fun"? it was not. I could not get that third pattern to work. Though it's not necessary to use all of the patterns, it's a personal challenge to make sure I do it. "Phroz" gave me grief because I didn't have the right pens. I've been  using and loving my old art school Rapidograph technical pens for the past year. The two finest tips finally wore out and I sent them off to be replaced. Hopefully they'll come back soon. I miss them.

One of my Facebook groups (Tangled and Journaled, Too) has prompted a pattern a day challenge where we can either draw the daily prompt pattern or one of our choice. The idea is to create a pattern reference library in any format we choose. Ideas for storage include journals, Rolodexes, index cards & boxes or plastic sheets in a binder. Last year I started something of this ilk and ultimately abandoned it. I made a bunch of Twinchie/Bijoux tiles from a stack of watercolor pages I'd used to practice watercolor washes while testing out all my colors. I started by doing little illustrations on the ones where the colors inspired scenarios and then started making pattern cards that I keep in slide sleeves:

Currently I'm continuing this in my multimedia sketchbook and plan to cut them out and keep them in the slide sheets.

This is a super quick and easy way to collect patterns. Just one a day. I can do that. This is actually one of 10 pages I've done so far. I get a little OCD sometimes;-)


Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Your thoughtful and generous comments make my day!

Happy New Year!...and it begins with Diva Challenge #249

Diva Challenge #249

Duotangle: Auraknot & Diva Dance

Happy New Year tangle friends! I'm really looking forward into getting back into my challenge routine after a hectic holiday month. I did this duo-tangle this morning over coffee and the Cooking Channel on a rainy day-off.
I'm also working on a swap which will include these ATC's:

I'm making 9 ATC's for this swap and tried a new approach. I started with a  9 x12 water colored page and did all of the line work in the large format using a couple of different sized jar lids:

Then I cut it down to 10 ATC's:

I've been participating in these swaps now since the Summer and this is the first time I've tried this approach after seeing it done by others so beautifully. It makes the composition of each ATC so much more interesting and it's exciting because you have no idea how each one is going to look. I'm detailing after cutting.
Backing up a bit to the "Gift of Zentangle"...here's a 5x7 piece I made for my niece and her husband for Christmas. I was inspired by Antonine's gorgeous ZIA and her lovely pattern "Oybay". Thanks for the inspiration Antonine...they were delighted with it!

Speaking of the "Gift of Zentangle", my last post announced the 5 randomly chosen recipients of my 5 ATC's. I need snail mail addresses from 3 of you. Check out the post for my email address.

As ever, thanks so much for visiting my blog. Your thoughtful and generous comments always make my day!

The Gift of Zentangle

Good Morning lovely tangle friends. Here I am, before the crack of dawn, with my coffee and finishing up Joey's latest challenge (which was the perfect string to head this post). I tweaked the string a teensy bit but, without further ado...

The 5 names I just pulled out of the ginger jar:

Joey (Ms. "Made by" herself)

Susan (South Africa)

Jean Chaney

Yorkshire Tortoise

1 Art Lady Kate

Many thanks to everyone for your regular visits to my blog and for being such generous and thoughtful commenters. This activity inspires me and constantly excites me as an artist. I love seeing all of the work you guys create and the challenges that continuously push us all out of our comfort zones. This community means so much to me.

So ladies, please send me your snail mail address and I'll get these out to you as soon as I hear from you:         michelewynne1 (at) gmail (dot) com. 

These are the Bijou refrigerator magnets I'm just finishing up. Sorry for the blurry pic. The sun still hasn't quite come up and my camera hates incandescent light and they're laminated so a little reflection doesn't help matters. Yes...more gems.

HaPpY hApPy HoLiDaYs!!!

Happy Holidays!

Made by Joey Challenge #91

tree template/string using patterns

Tipple, Reticulated, Echo, Eyehook & Sanibelle

This was tricky, trying to get all of these patterns within the string. To make it even more challenging I had like, 3 tools with me when I got to the cafe this morning.

This week's Diva challenge is to give the gift of Zentangle.  I'm currently assembling a collection of tiles that I intend to laminate and magnetize for family stocking stuffers, frame some illustrated recipes and finish several handmade pocket sketchbooks. In the midst of all of this I've been involved with two Zentangle inspired swap groups which I wrote about in a recent post. One of the pleasures is opening the mailbox and receiving art. 

These are 5 ATC sized pieces I've created as responses to various challenges over the last few months and I would like to send these off to 5 of you out there. These are all done on my hand painted watercolor backgrounds and I will send you the original ATC. Just leave a comment below and I'll randomly pick 5 on Tuesday December 22. Check back then and I'll post the recipients as well as my email address so I can get your snail mail address.

As ever, thank you so much for visiting my blog. Your thoughtful and generous comments always make my day!

Wishing the happiest of holidays to all of you!

String Challenge #122

It's a String Thing #122

String #122

Patterns: Verdigogh, Kuke and 63Y

Here's this week's challenge at "It's a String Thing".

My first challenge was just learning "63Y". I had a hard time wrapping my brain and pen around the step out. I found it very complicated and aggravating because I just couldn't get it to look clean, asking myself  many times "Why?" It's not required to use all of the patterns but that's why they call this a challenge.

I went back and looked at one of Linda Farmer's notes where she uses a zig-zag to assist in creating a more seam-less hexigon. Then it clicked. Once I started on the tile though, "Verdigogh" had other ideas and pretty much took over the whole deal and I had to figure out a way to get "63Y" back into it-"Kuke" was a no brainer so I just added more balls;-) The whole thing is a little over-worked and one of my balls is a bit wonky, but I was home sick today and didn't have much energy to do anything else but nap and watch "Love Actually" 3 times;-)

Thanks for visiting my blog! Your thoughtful and generous comments make my day!