I have moved!

Hi everyone,

I just thought I would mention (finally) that I have moved all my Zentangle information - classes and posts to my other blog - CraftingPassions.blogspot.com.

It is much easier for me to manage just one blog so please feel free to join me there.

NancyD

Been Awhile But I Have Strings!

Hello everyone, I know it has been a while since I posted last but ya'know..... life!

I have been working at making more time in my schedule for Zentangle practice and I thought I would try working on a string a day.  Tanglepatterns.com has a couple of String ebooks with 50 different strings each.

Strings are important to the process of Zentangle as it sets our boundaries to work within, or not.  They are usually drawn freehand lightly with a pencil.

I do realize that practice of any activity is what improves our skills and that is what I need!  I couldn't bear to start at string #1 so I am starting at 100 and working backwards.  Here is the first one....

I used Genevieve Crab's new ebook based on her weekly roundups to look for new Tangles that I have not tried as yet.  The ones in this photo are:

• Antz by Dilip Patel
• Alpz by Linda Rea 
• Boxwood by Elaine Benfotto
• Adente by Laura Williams

Give String 100 a try and let me know how it turned out.

Have a wonderful day!

NancyD

What is Tangle U?

I had the pleasure of attending Tangle University last week in Portland Maine.  This three-day conference is put together by Elaine Huffman (along with many volunteers) and is only for Certified Zentangle Teachers. I had a wonderful time meeting many Tanglers whose blogs I follow and had the opportunity to speak in person with the likes of Marie Browning, Suzanne McNeil and Sandy Stein Bartholomew.  So exciting!

Nancy Dawes, Marie Browning and Barb Round

Suzanne McNeil and Nancy Dawes

There were so many really great presentations by amazing Zentangle artists. I learned so much that I am still trying to process.  Look forward to some interesting classes in my upcoming schedule based on what I learned.

Sakura of America made a fabulous presentation and shared with us a sample of most of their different pens and markers.  I made a tile to share with Glaze, Metalic and Moonlight pens.

I used a Zentangle tan tile as my base and tangled Abacus, Adele, Popva and Fluttertile from Sandy Steen Bartholomew's Tangle app (that's all I had available while waiting at the airport and that's all I needed). Then added Nzepple.

Happy Tangling!
NancyD

New Zentangle Artists!

I recently taught two beginner Zentangle classes; one at Scrapbook Central and one in my own studio (aka dining room table).  After teaching 24 and 17 respectively at the Elder College I am finding that I really enjoy the smaller, more intimate class size of 4-5 students.

Every beginner class starts with the basics of Zentangle while creating that 1st tile with standard Tangles like Crescent Moon, Hollibaugh, Tipple and Knightsbridge.

April 12th in my Studio

March 22nd at Scrapbook Central

When it comes to the second tile I have been experimenting a little bit with the string and combination of Tangles.  Poke Root, Poke Leaf and Cadent are a given, but then I change up the remaining Tangles depending on the desires of the group.  It seems that some are more comfortable with grid-based Tangles and some prefer the more organic Tangles.

April 12th

March 2nd at Scrapbook Central

In any case, I am totally have a great time Tangling and sharing this wonderful art form!

Happy Tangling!
NancyD

Final Elder College Class and Social

Hi all!

We had a wonderful final class at the Elder College on April 3rd.  We worked with tan tiles and learned a few new Tangles.  I really like the tan tiles with the combination of black, brown and white ink.  They effect can be so dramatic!

This part of the class where we put all our tiles together and have a good look at what we all created is such a wonderful experience.  The comments from the group are so special - one of my favorites is "I never know I could draw!"

After two back-to-back 4-week courses at the Elder College I thought it would be fun to get the students together and share what they have been doing since their class.  

We had a wonderful time of sharing, oohing and awing the wonderful tiles and ZIAs that have been created by these new Zentangle artists.

I am looking forward to returning to the Elder College in the fall with another beginner course and something new - Zentangle Explorations!

Keep Tangling!
NancyD

Elder College Black Tiles

My students at the Elder College course this week worked with black tiles and white gel pens.  There were mixed reviews on the gel pens but they enjoyed working with the black tiles.  Here is there class picture:

I am continually amazed and pleased at the natural creativity and drawing abilities that people say they do not have.  I constantly here "I can't do that" or "I can't draw" and yet they end up producing wonderful works of art.  As Rick Roberts says, "Anything is possible one stroke at a time."

This week I designed the course to follow the Diva Challenge in hopes of introducing my students to the fun of entering the challenge and seeing all the work from other participants.  So, as Laura Harms said in her post for her weekly challenge #160 - spiral out and keep going.  Entering the challenge is very easy.  If you have a blog or post to Pinterest you can link directly, but if you do not, just email her the picture of your completed tile.

Have fun everyone and Tangle On!

NancyD

Elder College Classes x 2

My second Elder College course started last week with 17 students.  We got off to a great start learning the basics of the Zentangle method and the students couldn't help but remark that even though they all learned the same thing they each created something just a bit different.

I always start with Crescent Moon, Hollibaugh,Tipple and Bales

I have to say that I am really enjoying teaching at the Elder College.  It is a great setup for the more experienced folks in our community.  They can get out and learn new things in a safe environment that is very reasonably priced.

We only have 1 1/2 hours for each of the 4 sessions and the students keep telling me that they wish they had more time.  This week we learned the second half of the beginner Zentangle course.

This time we learned Cadent, Laced, Onamato, Zinger, Antidots, Poke Root and Poke Leaf

Next week we will start to explore the black tiles!

Happy Tangling!

NancyD

Hearts Abound - Diva Challenge #154

I have been playing around with hearts and Zentangle which happily coincides with the Diva Challenge this week - #154.  Most of mine are pretty simple - I am still learning!

First, I tried Sara McGregor's idea of using hearts for the anchor on Cadent but I did it with W2 instead....

Then I thought, well why not put Cadent inside the heart ......

But my favorite is the new Luv-A from Sharon Caforio ....

Then I tried a few heart balloons with intertwined ribbons inspired by Helen from A Little Lime....

Helen makes it look sooooo easy and I need lots more practice!

I also played with the paper heart template from Cherryl Moote found here.  I used it as an envelope for a little card.  I may have to play with more hearts before the week is over.

Happy Tangling!

NancyD

In the Beginning Class at NIC Elder College a Success

Wow, what a wonderful experience to teach my first Zentangle class.  In case your wondering, I am teaching a 4-part course at North Island College in the Elder College Department.  We are exploring all the beginning steps of learning Zentangle drawing.

My 23 students were wonderful and attentive.  One lady said to me afterward that her friend drug her to the course and she thought it was going to be about doodling.  She was pleasantly surprised and thanked me for giving her a special gift - Zentangle.

At the end of the class we all hovered around and marveled at how we all heard the same instruction but our tiles were all completely different.  This of course was something that I emphasized in the class - that we all have our own creative bent, background and perspective which influences our art.

The class was fantastic and I am looking forward to next Thursday when we will be exploring more Tangles. The current course is full but I think there are still a few spaces left in the March session starting March 13th.  Contact North Island College to register.

Have fun Tangling today!

NancyD

My New Tangle - da'Deal

Hey, I am so excited to announce my new Tangle da'Deal has been accepted and published by Tanglepatterns.com!  Check it out here.

Here are my step outs......

I used a picture of a section of carpet I found in a Vancouver hotel while I was there for a conference. It is the part my shoe is pointing too.  Of course, now that I see this carpet picture I am wondering how I got there from here.

The creative process is a bit fickle I think.  While trying to deconstruct the image it morphed as I tried to figure out a way to make it an easy and repeatable Tangle.  And that is how the name was born.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

NancyD

Zentangle Exploding Box Tutorial

There has been much chatter on the Certified Zentangle Teacher's Facebook page lately about a wonderful idea to create an exploding box to showcase Zentangle tiles.  So I thought I would bring my paper crafting experience into the fray and make my own tutorial.

What's an Exploding Box, you ask?  It is a paper crafted box, beautifully decorated with a lid.  When you Remove the lid, gravity grabs the sides of the box and pulls them down making it look like it is 'exploding' out of the lid.  Fun!!

Here is my not quit finished project......

There are so many ways to create this box that it was difficult to begin.  I am a bit of a purest so I kept with the Zentangle tradition of black and white.  I am already planning other versions with designer paper and flowers!!!

I made four layers so that I could include Zendala's (the largest at 4 5/8 inches), brown, white and black tiles.  I am planning to use this with my Zentangle display setup to show off what one can do with Zentangle. It will be a great conversation starter!

I decided that each layer needed to be coordinated with each type of tile.  Since I have only white Zendala's I decided the largest square should be black.  I also wanted black for the outside of the box because I plan to Tangle directly onto the paper (In this version I added Zendala's to the outside).  The next inside layer is white to show off black tiles.  Next comes a cream colored paper for my tan tiles and finally black again to show off the most common tile - white.  You can actually put tiles on both sides of the square flaps. I don't have enough completed tiles to do this yet though.

4 3/4" square fits a Zendala

White paper for black tiles and vise versa.

Cream paper for tan tiles.

 Let's begin the tutorial......

The size of the finished layers are as follows:

• Outside black - 4 3/4" - just fits the size of a Zendala
• White - 4 1/4" (there is room here for another layer sized at 4 1/2)
• Cream - 4"
• Black - 3 3/4 (just what we need for the 3 1/2" tile

Cutting Guide

Use good quality 12 x 12 solid/smooth cardstock.  I don't recommend using the textured style as it will interfere with Tangling directly on the paper.

Black paper:

• 1 square cut at 4 3/4
• 4 pieces cut 4 3/4 by 5 1/4 
• Score the 4 larger pieces on the long side at 1/2 inch (the 1/2 flap is folded and glued under the square leaving a 4 3/4" square flap)

• The smallest black section is cut from one 12 x 12 piece of paper (it is a little tricky). Cut the 12x12 paper down to 11 1/4". Next measure and mark 3 3/4 and at 7 1/2 on all 4 sides.  Draw lines between your marks from end to end on the page making a shape like the x's and o's game. Now cut out the corners!

Cream paper:

This one is the easiest!  This one is cut from one piece of 12x12 paper.  Mark the ends of the paper at 4" and 8" inches on all 4 sides.  Connect the marks similar to the black paper above and then cut out the corners.

White paper:

• Cut 1 square at 4 1/4"
• Cut 4 pieces 4 1/4 by 4 3/4
• Score the 4 larger pieces on the long side at 1/2 inch (the 1/2 flap is folded and glued under the square leaving a 4 3/4" square flap)

Assembly Instructions

Score and fold the flaps on all the pieces that need it.  I use Score-Tape from Diana Crick, CZT at her Magnolia-licious store, but you can use any firm adhesive including tacky glue.

Line up the base square pieces with the score lines and adhere.  Do this for all 4 sides for both the black and and white outer pieces.

Stack up the sizes so that the largest is on the bottom.  Now you have a decision to make.  Normally we glue all these layers together at the bases.  Do you want your layers to stay put or do you want to be able to separate them?  I am gluing mine but I might not on another version.

Lid Instructions

Cut a 6 7/8" square and score it at 1" on all four sides.  Now cut a little triangle out of each corner flap as shown in the picture.

Fold on all score lines and glue corner flaps in place.

Finishing Touches

Next comes the fun part!  Add your very special tiles to both sides of the squares.  You can add tiles to the outside or Zentangle directly onto the paper before sandwiching it all together.

I punched a hole in the lid and added a ribbon to help get the lid off easily.

OK, now it is your turn!  Go out and create!!!!

P.S. I will post a pdf on the Teacher Facebook site later.  If you appreciate this post, please consider becoming a follower and showing your support.

Thanks for coming over for my project.
NancyD