Zendala Dare #51

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!  I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend celebrating whatever it is you choose to celebrate.  Personally, I'm having a pretty good week.  I managed to fit alot of work in this week which will take some pressure off me next week.  I got plenty of Zentangle related items finished so I can show you guys some cool new stuff I have planned.  The family and I had an Easter egg hunt last week since my mother and I wouldn't be able to do one tomorrow.  I wish you could see the adorable pictures of my nieces and nephews but Auntie forgot to download them into the computer before she left the house today.  Oops.  And last but not least, I had my second nursing school exam and got and 86% which I am thrilled with.  So ya, I'd say it's a pretty productive week.

Zendala Dare #51

This week's Zendala Dare caught me a little off guard.  Take a look at the template and then I'll explain what I mean.

Zendala Dare #49

Link for Zendala Dare #51 template

At first glance I thought this weeks template was pretty original.  As I started to work on it, it became obvious that it had similar characteristics to Zendala Dare #49.

It made me start to wonder why I had created to templates that were so similar.  Do I just like those shapes?  Are those shapes just more likely to be formed using the techniques I have been using to create my templates?  Am I subconsciously creating similar shapes because tangles fit easily into them?  I don't know what the answer is, and I guess it doesn't really matter, I just find it interesting why our brains do the things they do.

Tangles:  Striping, Plugs, Dooleedo

I like how the Doolee Do worked in the border and I think the other tangles filled the spaces nicely but I will have to work on the shading of Plugs a little bit.  

Hope you have a fantastic week!

Zendala Dare #50

So what do you think of the new look?  I felt it was time to classy up this blog.  The last template, while ok, never felt quite right to me and I am not a fan of the color blue so I'm not sure why I chose those colors in the first place for my old template.  This new look is way more me.  And no, I didn't draw the flowers.  I was just lucky enough to stumble upon a Zentangle like motif with a blog style that I liked.

A few weeks ago I had a heart to heart with myself (which was difficult since I only have one heart, haha) about what I wanted for the future of this blog.  What I decided is that first and foremost,  I want it to be a resource.  I love collecting, organizing and re-purposing information that I find, especially from the internet, and I think this blog is an excellent vehicle for that.  Of course, I will be primarily focusing on Zentangle, but also including a few of my other favorite subjects like crafting, healthy living, and cooking.

Over the next 2 weeks I will be introducing you to some new features of my blog.  Today I would like to direct you to the new "Tangle Links" tab at the top of the blog.  Since starting the Zendala Dare I get a lot of emails asking which tangles I use in my tiles.  Even though the tangles are listed below each photo many people, especially those new to Zentangle, have difficulty deciding which is which.  I decided to provide a link, whenever possible, for all the tangles I have used.  I think you will find it a valuable resource for finding new tangles and a wealth of inspiration.  Please read the information I have posted on that page before reposting.  

Zendala Dare #50

Link to Zendala Dare #50 Templates

This template is a bit of a departure for me.  I have masked the edges so they are hidden at the edge of the circle.  I have always liked this style but it can be a little difficult to master but I think this is an interesting first attempt.  Here's what I did with it:

Tangles:  Printemps, Tipple, Courant

My first vision for this tile involved filling every space, but as is the nature of Zentangle, my primary vision is not what I ended up with.  And thats ok.  I started with the middle circle, then the star points, and finally ended with the Printemps around the edge.  Once I had the Printemps in place I liked the negative space that was left behind so I decided not to fill it.    All in all, I think its a pretty good attempt.

I hope you all have a fabulous week and enjoy the new blog!

Zendala Dare #49

Hello and welcome to the late edition of the Zendala Dare.  It's actually only about 8 hours late which is pretty good considering the week I've had, but late nevertheless and for that I apologize.  I could make all kinds of excuses but I believe honesty is the best policy and the truth is, I chose sleep over blogging.  I got off an hour and half late last night and sleep never sounded so good so I decided to post early this morning.  Then morning came and sleeping in never felt so good so I did.  There you have it.  

I wanted to take a minute and address a few things.  I appreciate all the feedback I get from my loyal readers.  Even though I may not respond to every comment please know that I read each and every one and look at every single link.  I read all the emails you send and try to respond to each one.  The problem is, due to the nature of my work and the many hours I spend in school, I may not be able to respond to an email the moment I read it and unfortunately, some get lost in the mix and don't get a response.  I am trying to come up with a better way to organize them so this does not continue.  If you send me an email and I do not respond within 48 hours, please, please, please resend it and I will reply.  You will not be bothering me.  There is nothing worse than having a question you cant get answered and I do love hearing from my readers.

I have also set up a Facebook page for The Bright Owl.  I will be posting the Dares, interesting links, and maybe even a bonus template or two (hint, hint).  If you would like to sign up here is the link.

Zendala Dare #49

Here is this week's template:

Link to Zendala Dare #49 template

I had a lot of fun with this template.  It's a departure from the type of templates I usually do and that forces me to use new tangles in places I might not ordinarily think of.  The center part doesn't thrill me but such is life.

Tangles:  Baton, Laced, Copada, Midoosa

Next week is spring break and I have set aside several days to finish up some projects I have been working on.  I hope to unveil several of them in upcoming posts so make sure you check back and see what's new!

Have a fantastic week and remember to take

time to tangle!

Erin

Zendala Dare #48

Ok people, I feel like I'm running around like a crazy Dr. Seuss character this morning.  So much to do, so much to do!  Maybe thats an Alice in Wonderland thing, whatever.  No time to think about that.  My "real" post will have to wait until tonight but in the meantime I wanted to make sure that you could start on the template.

Zendala Dare #48

Link to Zendala Dare #48 templates

I decided to go pretty basic this week.  It's not my favorite but I still love it!

Tangles:  Chemystery, Beelight, Knightsbridge,
Caviar

Ok people, let's see what ya got!  I know it

will be awesome!

Zendala Dare #47 - Losing it

Well hello everyone!  I'm feeling so productive this week.  I managed to blog twice this week and get the Zendala Dare up on time, with an actual sample mind you.  If you would like to see the two Zendala's that I wasn't able to post for the last two weeks they are now available here and here.

I have had a very busy but rewarding week.  I started a new healthy living plan that I'm calling the Healthy RN.  You can read about it here if you are so inclined.  I attended a my first book reading, I started my clinical rotations for nursing school and even managed to fit in a little exercise. 

I'm working the next three days but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will continue to be as beautiful as it has been.  Hopefully I will be able to fit in some Zentangle time because there are a ton of new tangles that I am itching to try!

Zendala Dare #47 - Losing it

It's the first Saturday of the month so this weeks Zendala Dare comes with a little extra challenge.  This weeks challenge is called Losing It.  As I stated previously, I have embarked on a healthy living journey with the main directive of being healthy and losing weight.  In keeping with that theme I thought it would be fun to "lose" part of the template.  So this week I want you to remove part of the template when you transfer it.  I know many of you already remove or add lines here and there so if you are one of those people, how about removing only half a line or part of a circle or oval.  The point of the added challenges is to take your art to a new place and that may be uncomfortable for you.  Being uncomfortable is a good thing sometimes.  

Now, I know many people do not transfer the template to art paper and honestly, I'm a little perplexed by this.  The technique is super simple (you can find it here) and why spend the time creating beautiful Zendala's if you are not using quality materials.  Your work is too valuable to not take this extra step.  If anyone has trouble with this, please comment below or email me and I will do everything I can to help you out.

So here's this weeks template:

Link to Zendala Dare #47 templates

Now transfer the template to a piece of art paper remembering to leave out a shape or line.  I think you will be surprised with what a difference it makes.

Tangles: Zinger, Beadlines, Weave, Beelight

As you may be able to tell, for my Zendala I removed the vertical ovals on the outside edge.  I think it gives the piece a light airy quality that it probably wouldn't have had I left them in.

What will you come up with this week.  

Hurry up and link below so we can all see!

Erin