Zendala Dare #12

Well, its 2:28 in the morning, it's been a long day, and I have to be at a Advanced Cardiac Life Support class  (trust me, it is not nearly as cool as it sounds) at 8:00 in the morning so this post will be short and sweet!


A few quick announcements.  First, way back in the post for Zendala Dare #2 I talked about how every four weeks or so there would be an added challenge.  Since I made that announcement, the thought of having them every four weeks just seems like an odd choice so from now on the first Zendala Dare of each month will have the added challenge.  I think it just makes more sense that way.


Second, after much trial, error, and turmoil, I have created a button that you can grab and put on your blogs if you so desire.  I am self taught when it come to this whole blog thing and it's amazing how most of the hard things end up being really easy and the things that should be easy, like a blog button, end up being really hard!  Well, my girl Jenn, from Girl Defying Gravity found us a blog button tutorial that actually works and Voila! Now we both have buttons.  Grab mine on the right and spread the Zendala Dare!


We are now approaching 2:45 a.m. so without further adieu........

Zendala Dare #12

Full page template

Standard tile and Zendala tile template

This week I managed to squeeze in one round Zendala tile.

Tangles:  Echoism, Sez, Lacy, Organza,
Flux, 

I really like how this turned out but I ran into a small issue.  I am a big stickler for naming my tangles correctly and giving credit where credit is due.  For the life of me, I cannot find the source or the name of the tangle in the middle.  Can anyone help me out with that?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and don't forget

to post your entry below.

Erin

Zendala Dare #11

Hi everyone!  Hope you have all been having a wonderful week!  As I told you in my last Zendala Dare post, I packed in the work hours last week so I could take it easy this week.  I've been working on Zendala's, running errands, cleaning house and hanging with the hubby.  This week I also got to have my niece for a day.  I have two amazing nieces and two adorable nephews.  The niece in the video below has a crazy love for the pet store and begged to go after our trip to the craft store on Thursday.  The video is proof of her enthusiasm!

Now onto the Zendala Dare.......

Zendala Dare #11

Print out the template and get to tangling!

Link to Full Page template

Link to Standard tile and Zendala tile template

This week's template taught me an interesting lesson.  I sometimes think I know where I am headed with a template and outline all the sections I want outlined right at the beginning.  This week however, I decided (for some unplanned and unknown reason) to just outline sections little by little and I think I ended up with something quite different than if I had used my usual technique.

Normally I list all the tangles I used but this week I am
forgoing that because this is mostly line work and some
impromptu mark making.  Notice I didn't use the "D" word!

What I think is really neat about this tile is that each time I have looked at it I see a certain design for just a few seconds until my eyes adjust and then all of the sudden it seems like a completely different tile.  I will probably do a second one and post later this week.  I really enjoyed playing with this template.

I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.  Please make sure to post a link to your entry below.

Hope you have a fabulous week!

Erin

Diva Challenge #75 - Tangleation Nation: Cadent

This week, like every other week, I eagerly awaited the Diva Challenge.  When I read the post however, I paused.  It has been awhile since I have been truly removed from my comfort zone but this did it.  The Diva had proposed that we do a study of the official Zentangle tangle, Cadent.  We were to play with it, modify it, and if need be abuse it, to put it through it's paces.


I have been tangling for about a year and a half now and I am pretty confident in my skills.  I can create tangles, execute tangles, do Zendala's, add color...blah blah blah.  Tangleations however, have never been my strong point so this challenge was going to be a REAL challenge for me.


In one of Sandy Steen Bartholomew's books she has a page devoted to tangleation hybrids.  It is setup in a grid format and she puts 4 tangles on one side of the grid and 4 tangles on the other side of the grid and then she combines them to create these amazing tangle "hybrids".  I have stared at that page in awe many times but have never felt comfortable enough to tackle something like that.  The second I saw this challenge I thought of that page.  The tangleations I have drawn below are more free form variations than hybrids but it's still all the same idea.  

Tangle: Cadent tangleations

The tangleation with the teardrop shapes was created by using teardrops instead of circles for the grid.  Then I drew a large teardrop across each square and colored the whole thing in with black.  Its amazing that the black can totally "erase" the original tangle.  The tangleation that runs through the middle of the tile was created with a base of triangles.  Then I split each square in half diagonally to create two additional triangles and used a little line work to fill it in.  The final tangleation was created with a base of spirals and some creative coloring.  I think this is my favorite.

Once again, Zentangle (and the Diva!) have forced me to do something I thought I couldn't do, but did.  That's why I come back week after week.  

Zendala Dare #10

Welcome back to the Zendala Dare!  It's been a very busy and productive week for me.  As I am writing this I am preparing to go work a 48 hour shift on the ambulance for a total of 84 hours this week!  It's all worth it because I will be able to have a lot of time off next week to enjoy my new toy.

2012 Chevy Volt

I'm pretty excited!  The husband and I decided to take the plunge and go electric.  It has a 40 mile battery and gas backup engine.  Since we got it last Sunday I've driven it 120 miles and used .2 gallons of gas.  At this rate I won't have to go to the gas station for another two months.  How strange is that!  Do any of you have an electric car?  I would be interested to hear what your experiences are with them.  

I also just found out today that I have been accepted to nursing school!  We have a really great program at our local junior college and I am excited to take the next step in my career.  My heart will always be in paramedicine but becoming a nurse will allow me to advance my desires to teach and provide a little more stability in today's fickle job market.  The husband and I still have some wrinkles to iron out but if all goes as planned I will be starting in the Spring of 2013.  

And now for the best news of all........a new Zendala Dare!

Zendala Dare #10

Fill in the template with your favorite tangles!

Full page template

Round Zendala tile and standard tile template

This week I managed to squeeze in two tiles.

Tangles: N' Zeppel, Charlie, Amaze

Tangles: Black Pearlz, Space, Courant (tangleation)

My only goal this week was to create two tiles that were very different and I think I managed that.  It's still amazes me week after week that I never end up with what I had originally pictured. 

If you complete the Dare please remember to link up below.  It makes it a lot more fun!

I hope you all have a fantastic week!

Erin

Diva Challenge #74 - Eccentric Circles

That Diva.  She is never at a loss for cool challenges, and this week is no exception.  This week she presented us with a string challenge using eccentric circles.  We were to use a series of connected, imperfect circles to create our string.  I love string challenges because they are a neat kind of structured yet unstructured Zentangle.  You still have the ability to go a little crazy, but the parameters of the challenge reign you in.

Tangles: Box Spirals, Unme, Copada,
Twisted Sista, Lettuce Farm

I really like the way it turned out but after photographing it I think it might be a bit plain.  I may have to go back and add some detailing.  We'll see how I feel about it in another day,  or two...or nine.

Zendala Dare #9

What an amazing weekend I had!  Went to one of my besties wedding and got to be a bridesmaid for the first time!  Luckily, my friend Jenn, the bride, didn't want anything to crazy so it was pretty easy to plan the shower, bachelorette party and assist with what she wanted help with in Las Vegas, which was pretty much nothing.  It basically ended up being a really fun 3 day vacation with a very special party thrown in the middle.

The newlyweds!  Don't they look amazing?

The hubby and I.

Me and my girl's.  Love them!

We swam and ate and drank and drank and.....oh yeah we drank!  I almost didn't want to come home but then who would present this weeks Dare?  Oh, the horror, I don't want to even think about it so let's get to it!

Zendala Dare #9

Pick your template, pick your tangles, and get to drawing!

Full page template

Standard tile and round Zendala tile template

This was one of those templates that I loved as soon as I finished it.  Picking the tangles was a little tricky.  I have noticed that I like to stay in the lines and don't stray far from the template, which produces a nice, clean Zendala.  This week, however,  I thought I would go a little crazy and try something new.  As with most Zentangle's, the end result is nothing like I was aiming for but I think it's pretty cool.

Tangles: Springkle, Wartz, Jointz, Leaf Pod

I loved looking at everybody's LOVE Zendala's this week so make sure you link up below so we can all keep drooling over each other's work!

I hope everyone has a fantastic week!

Erin

Diva Challenge #73: UMT - Bridgen

It's the first Monday of the month so this weeks challenge from the Diva is a UMT (Use My Tangle) challenge.  This months chosen tangle is Bridgen.  I have played with Bridgen before and find it to be a really fun tangle.  In my past attempts I always did it making loops but this time I decided to try it straight and see what I could come up with.

Tangles: Bridgen, Me Three

Not only did I get to try out a new way to do Bridgen but I also got to use a new tangle that I had just tried the night before, Me Three.  I'm still working on getting the proportions right with Me Three but even when it is not perfect it still looks pretty good.  Thanks Laura for another great challenge!

Zendala Dare #8

Well it's week number eight of the Zendala Dare and you know what that means.  A little challenge with your dare.


As you are reading this I am partying it up in Las Vegas!  This weekend my dear friend Jenn (of the blog Girl Defying Gravity) is getting married to an awesome guy named Travis and I am privileged to have been asked to be a bridesmaid.  To make things even better my other amazing friend Chris is also a bridesmaid, so between the two of us and the maid of honor Erin (yes, there are two Erin's in a 3 person wedding party) we plan to make this an amazing weekend for Jenn.  

Chris, Jenn and Myself.  Yes, we did make her wear a cowgirl
getup for her bachelorette party at the Saddlerack!

So why do you need to know about all this wedding craziness you ask?  

Zendala Dare #8

In honor of Jenn and the impending nuptials, this weeks added challenge is to create a Zendala that is all about love.  This week I challenge to you fill the template below with at least one tangle that starts with L, one with O, one with V and one with E.  You get it, a L-O-V-E  Zendala.  If you require an extra tangle or two just make sure you only use ones that start with those 4 letters.  I have already got your LOVE Zendala headed in the right direction by throwing a few hearts in the mix.  

Full Page template

Standard tile and round Zendala tile template

This week I opted for a round Zendala tile:

Tangles: Lotus Pods, Onamato, Vache 1, Ennies

I love the way this one turned out and can't wait to see everyone's variations.  Don't forget to link up below!

So to Travis and Jenn:  Congratulations on your new life together.  I wish you both all the happiness in the world and thank you for including me in you special day.

And Travis, I will give you the same advice that Ben's cousin gave him when we got married.  From now on, before you speak think to yourself, "Do I want to be right, or do I want to be married?"  

The happy couple!

Love you guys!