Diva Challenge #206: Tools/Trade

This week's Diva Challenge was to use some new tool or method to create our Zentangle. I chose to color a Zendala with a set of 12 Koi watercolor brush pens which I acquired some time ago. My go to color method is usually Prismacolor pencil. The markers color palette was more limited and the colors brighter. However, I was pleased with the effect which the brush pens produced and like the bright springy feel of the piece. I think I'll be playing with them more in the future.

Diva Challenge #204: Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Diva Challenge #203: UMT Athitzi by Eleanor Holt

This weeks Diva challenge is to use a tangle called Athitzi. I made two tangles. The first one I used only Athitzi. I was not entirely pleased with the results and decided to add color to enhance the tangle. The second one I used with other patterns and designs which seemed to enhance Athitzi. I used it in a spiral design which seems to work well with this tangle.

Diva Challenge #202: Duo Tangle - Chebucto vs Copada

This weeks' Diva Challenge was to use two tangles in one tile. They are Chebucto and Copada and both are patterns created by CZT Margaret Bremner. Both tangles were a bit challenging on their own though by far I consider Chebucto the hardest of the two. The step outs for both tangle can be found by clicking on the name of each tangle. Here are two Zentangles in answer to this challenge.

Diva Challenge #200: Bi-Zen-tennial

Congratulations to "the Diva" Laura Harms on the posting of her 200th Zentangle Challenge for us to enjoy! The challenge instructions this week are for us to use our "go to" or "mac n'cheese" tangle, to omit the border and to include the number 200 anywhere in the tangle. This challenge could easily be entitled comfort. Comfort is a noun which can mean "a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint.

The art of Zentangle itself is the embodiment of comfort. Practicing drawing patterns puts us in the "comfort zone". We relax, unwind, are at ease. There is a freedom in putting together patterns which are easy to draw and drawing on our "go to" tangle makes this challenge especially relaxing. I chose

the tangle "Inapod," though I often change the basic tangle to fit my own needs. It pops up quite frequently in my drawing and like a familiar friend is easy on my mind. 

Diva Challenge #196

This week's challenge from "the diva" is from guest challenger Emily Classen and was entitled "All Dolled Up." I must admit I was not thrilled about this one. I looked at many of the submissions from other Zentangle artists and there were many clever and amazing posts! There were dancing dolls, doll dresses, doll patterns, zendala dolls, rag dolls and angels. Many wonderful and inspiring answers to this challenge and I was still not thrilled. Even so I was determined to rise to the challenge and so I present "All Dolled Up and No Place to Go.

Small Business Saturday, November 29th

In recent years American Express has generously sponsored a movement know as Small Business Saturday. Local hometown businesses may sign up and join for which they receive promotional materials to support the event, placement on an online map of supporting business and ideas to encourage people to "Shop Small" on November 29th.

On their website there are ways to show your support for Small Business Saturday (click to learn more) such as by promising to shop small and posting on facebook, and showing you will be there by taking a picture at the businesses and sharing it at #shopsmall.

Show your support for your hometown this Saturday. Look for the signs in the windows, the shop small mats at the front doors and get your free canvas tote at participating businesses in Benson!