Challenge 92 and a little sharing..

I had a little time to play along with the Diva Challenge this week, and I thought I'd also use this opportunity to post a few more of my tangles that I've been working on recently.  I've been playing with Zentangles for over a year now and have stacks of tiles and two sketchbooks full of ZIAs, and I have no earthly idea what to do with all of them.....any suggestions?  

So the challenge this week from Laura at I am the Diva is to create a tile or Zentangle inspired art using Stripes as the string.  This challenge is right up my alley...I'm a bit OCD and nice, neat, orderly things please me! LOL!

Here's my take on this week's challenge:

I generally work in a sketch book and my finished drawing is generally about 5 x 5, as is the "lines" pictured above.  All super easy tangles, but I love the nice, neat look to this ZIA.

Last weeks challenge at I am the Diva was to create a tile using beads.  I actually finished two ZIAs, unfortunately, I didn't get them posted in time!

 Oops...doesn't look like I finished the shading on these beads!  

This next ZIA is just something I was messing around with the other evening.  No string involved, just mindless doodling.  Maybe I'll add a little color to this one....hmmmm....

I love circles, so this was another evening of just mindless tangling....my hubby thinks this one looks sinister...LOL!

LOVED how this one turned out.  I was playing around with my compass and ruler and decided to make a little mandala ZIA.  I wasn't sure where I was going with this because I'd divided the circle up into too many sections, but when I finished it, I was pleased.

Hope you've enjoyed looking at my Zentangle Inspired Art....Have you given tangling a try yet?  You should...it's very relaxing, and often the results are a big surprise! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Your comments and visits are always appreciated!  Until next time...

Hugs!

Challenge #56 - Non-Dominant

Our challenge this week from Laura at I am the Diva was a big surprise for me.  This week we've been challenged to do an ENTIRE tile or ZIA using only our non-dominant hand.  Since I'm right handed, I did my string, tangles, and shading with my left hand.  It was very difficult for me to "let go" and let my left hand take over control of my tangling while my right hand just sat idly by doing nothing!  The result is a bit wobbly and shaky, but here it is: 

I thought I would add....about 2 years ago I had surgery on my right thumb which put my right hand out of commission for about 3 or 4 months.  During that time, I had to use my left hand for some things, so even though my lines are a bit wobbly and shaky on this tile, I think if I had not had to use my left hand so much two years ago, it would definitely been messier looking.

Thanks so much for popping in! Love your awesome comments!  Have a wonderful day.  I'll be drawing for the winner of the gift card later today, so stay tuned to find out if you're a winner!!  You still have a few hours to post a comment on this post if you want your name entered in the drawing.  Good Luck!

Until next time...

Hugs!

LIM47 - One Word

The challenge issued by Chrissie and Mandi at Less is More for the last week of 2011 and the first week of 2012 was to create a card using a one word sentiment.  My time has been limited the past few weeks, what with all the kids coming home, a big family get together during and after Christmas...and just the general busyness of the season.

I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas...and I hope your New Year brings peace and happiness to you and yours!

I've managed to get two cards finished for this challenge...neither one thrills me...but here they are:

I apologize for the photo, I was trying out my new lens that my hubby gave me for my birthday, and I still haven't mastered it yet.  This first card was directly inspired by one of Chrissie's cards (you can see here)  I used different colors...but the concept is the same.  I love my beautiful "sunset"...and the trees are some new stamps I ordered from Repeat Impressions.  I got the unmounted version and then painted the back with Aileen's Tack It so that I could use them on my acrylic blocks.

Started not to post this card...it's just sort of blah...but it is what it is.  I should have left the "moon" off and just sponged the sky area.  Butterflies are a MS punch that I punched from inked paper and then coated with glitter glue.  The Congratulations sentiment is an old HA stamp (I think).

Thought I'd share a photo of our Christmas tree this year.  We decided that this would be the last year for this tree...it's a nine foot tall, pre-lit, artificial Fraser Fir tree, but it's just too big for us anymore...the storing and the decorating.  I have to use a ladder to reach the top branches!  I do love how bright the tree is!  I was practicing taking photos with a little tutorial I found that said to totally over expose the pic to get this glowing tree...and it worked!!  I turned off all the lights in the house except for the tree lights and this is what I got! I was so excited when I saw how these photos turned out!

As I mentioned in an earlier post...this week marks the 4th anniversary of my blog, and I'm going to have a little RAK for one of my followers.  You can find the post with all the information here.  I hope you'll join in the fun!

Thanks so much for popping in! I do appreciate your visits and your comments are always welcomed!  Until next time...

Hugs!

LIM42 - Silhouettes and Something new...

Two weeks in a row...I can't believe it!! I'm certainly honored to have my cards showCASed.  Chrissie and Mandi...sending you a BIG Thank You! ♥♥ You made my day! ♥♥

 

I can't believe I've already finished three cards for this week's challenge  at Less is More (which is to make at card using silhouettes).  I might even get a couple of more finished!  For this first card, I cut the silhouette of the three carolers with my Cameo.  I cut a piece of white card stock with a curvy edge and layered it on top of the card base for my "snow".  I used a Copics B0000 to highlight the mound of snow and behind the carolers.  The carolers are pop dotted off the card and it looks really cool.  I also added a touch of glitter to make the snow glisten.  Sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

For this next card, I used a Papertrey Ink Christmas silhouette.  Punched it out with a 1.75 inch circle punch.  The background paper is actually a gold shimmery card stock from SU that I recently ordered.  I wish you could see how shimmery it is, but I can't figure out how to photograph it and get that to show.  I punched a 2 inch scalloped circle from the gold card stock to back the image.  Then I layered it on a die cut from Papertrey Ink.  I added the gold pen lines around the edges of the die with a gold Uniball pen.  The sentiment was generated on the computer using text boxes so that I could make the background black, leaving my sentiment white.  I also edged the sentiment with the gold pen.  I also popped the background layer off the card.  The black border on the gold is simply thin strips of black card stock that glued around the edges.

This next card was the result of me playing around with my Cameo.  This is one of the cutting files I have, but from experience I knew that cutting all those tiny little lines would probably not work well as small as I needed it to be.  SO....I figured out that I could turn the image black and print it on my laser printer!! How cool is that! I am loving my Cameo!  I decided to add just a touch of pink because it just looks good to me...and it gave me the idea to add just a touch of bling to the little girl's hat.   The sentiment on this card was also computer generated in my Silhouette program.

Now...just thought I share what else I've been up to.  I have a long way to go before I'm any good at it, but I sure have had some fun playing with these snowflakes.

As you can see, my quilled snowflakes are a little wonky, so I'll have to work on that.  It's really fun to put these together - but very difficult to photograph!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I truly appreciate your wonderful comments!  Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥

LIM41 - Leaves....and more

The Less is More challenge this week is a one layer card with the theme of leaves.  Of course, I just made a card last week using leaves....just saying, Chrissie and Mandi! LOL!  Oh well...last week's card wasn't one layer, so I had to do a little thinking about this one.

I'd also like to say Thank You to Chrissie and Mandi for selecting my card to be showCASed from week 39.  I was certainly surprised to see this ornament snowflake card in the showCASe!  I'd also like to say that I'm sorry that I haven't made it around to very many blogs in the last few weeks.  I do look at most of the cards, but life has been so hectic lately that I just haven't had time to leave comments! So Sorry!! I'll try to do better this week...although with this late start I'm getting, I'm not sure how that will work out!

Moving along...I've actually made two cards this week.  I'm still working on my Christmas cards, so I wanted to make one of them a Christmas card.

For this first card, when I was looking through my punches, I realized that I have three similar punches in three different sizes...so I decided to create something with them.  I punched the leaves (using the 3 different sizes) down the right front of my card base.  To add color without layers, I masked off part of the inside of the card (just enough to fill the leaves) and sponged on distress ink in Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade, Pine Needles, and Mustard Seed.  With just the sponged ink the leaves looked a little blah, so I decided to add a touch of color in splotches. To do this, I crumpled up a piece of paper and tapped it on the darker ink pads and then used the crumpled paper to "stamp" some random lines/splotches on the sponged background for each leaf. On the bottom leaf I tapped with Worn Lipstick and Pine Needles and for the two smaller leaves I tapped it with Spiced Marmalade.  I think it gave a very nice effect. The sentiment is from Flourishes. Now...about that sponged strip on the left....I added that because I managed to get my inky fingers on the card and leave a smudge...so what to do?  Cover it up with a little sponging to match the inside!  Saved!

Here's a photo of the card from an angle so that you can see how the inking was done.

For my second card, I used a holly leaf stamp that I've had forever.  I'm not sure, but it might be an Inkadinkado stamp.  I stamped in Memento black.  The stamp has three leaves and some berries on it.  To make it conform to the shape I wanted, I drew a circle with a pencil so that I could line up my stamping.  I also cut a mask from a post it note.  The image was actually stamped 6 times to get this shape.  I colored with Copic markers, then using my Sakura clear star pen, I highlighted all the leaves and the berries.  After that dried, I went back and coated all the berries with glossy accents. In real life, this card is very sparkly and pretty. The sentiment is from Flourishes.

I wanted to share another layout while I'm posting.  This is the first layout I've completed since my hubby got home from the hospital...and it seemed to take forever to finish.  I hadn't scrapped in over a month, and it seemed like I'd forgotten what to do! LOL!  

This is my precious little granddaughter, Maggie.  Photography by Amy P Photography.  I just love these cute pictures...and Maggie is just adorable!!  For the layout, I used Echo Park Little Girl collection. The photos are backed with a dark pink card stock. All the little circles were punched from the design on on of the papers. All small circles are pop-dotted on the page. I added a touch of glitter to the center of each circle. The little birds on the bottom were also cut from one of the papers in this collection. I punched a dark pink border with a MS edge punch that embosses along the scallop. The title work was all cut with my new Cameo. The Cameo is new from Silhouette - it will cut up to 12x12 inches and all the files from my Silhouette work with it. So far, I'm loving it! The ballerina was also cut with the Cameo, and I added a sparkly top and a tulle skirt with a bow to the ballerina. I also added some sparkly toe shoes, but I don't think they show up very well. I used a dot of stickles on each of the letters and also on the tulle skirt. The title work and the ballerina are all on pop dots. IRL this is a very glittery, girly layout. I used a Sakura clear star pen to outline each of the title letters. The pen give just a hint of glitter to the edges. The journaling is tucked behind the top of the pink mat and reads: 

Maggie, you are so adorable in your little pink tutu. You have the brightest eyes and such a solemn expression on your face. Your crocheted hat is just precious with your tutu, but it covers up all your blond curls. You are so precious and I wish that I could see you more often than I do. These photos of you make me want to pick you up and give you lots of hugs and kisses. Photos – April 2011 

Here's a photo of my new toy cutting machine.... the Silhouette Cameo. THIS is a cool cutting machine!

That's all for me today...bet you thought I'd never stop! LOL!  Thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments are greatly appreciated!  Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥

Challenge 48 - Circle, Square, and Triangle

This week, the challenge at I am the Diva blog is hosted by Sue Clark who is a CZT (certified Zentangle teacher).  Sue has challenged us to create a tile using three basic shapes (circle, square, and triangle) combining them to create a string. I've done two tiles using these "strings".

Sue also encouraged us to try some tangles we haven't tried before.  On this first one, I did just that.  The center one was supposed to be wisket, but I just can't seem to get it right.  Then I also tried Phuds, which looked okay, but my wisket looked wonky so I decided to try another tile.

 This first tile is on a 5x5 tile.  I decided to make the second one on a smaller tile which is 4x4 inches.

For this tile, I also used the square, circle, and triangle string, and I also used Phuds.  The "boards" were something I just decided to add in (don't think I've seen a tangle like this before - it's probably been done by somebody, I just haven't seen it).  I like the cleaner look of this tile.  

That's my take on the challenge....what do you think?

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Comments are always appreciated!! Until next time....

♥ Hugs! ♥

Less is More 40 - Red and Orange

This week the Less is More challenge was a color challenge.  Here's what Mandi and Chrissie have to say about the challenge. I'm a little late getting my cards posted...but I was late getting them finished too.  I just don't have enough hours in the day to get everything I need to do done!

In the UK, it is traditionally on 'firework night' that the 'Gunpowder plot' of 1605 is commemorated. It was then that Guy Fawkes was arrested for laying explosives under the House of Lords.

Our first week of the month is another Colour challenge and redolent of bonfire flames we have chosen

Red and Orange

I made two different cards for this challenge.  I actually like red and orange together, but I seemed to have a bit of trouble combining the two this week.  

I'm not sure what I'll use this card for...I guess it could be a sympathy card, thinking of you, or just a note card.  Leaves are Flourishes stamps.  I stamped the image on white card stock, then colored with orange Copics and cut out each leaf.  Leaves are popped dotted on a white textured card stock that I also pop dotted on the red background. The sentiment is also from Flourishes. BTW, stamping on textured card stock is much more difficult than I thought it would be!

Since I'm in need of quite a few more Christmas cards, I wanted to try to make a Christmas themed one using these colors. Here's what I came up with...

The big flourish is from Papertrey Ink.  I used a textured white card base.  I stamped the large flourish in SU Pumpkin Pie and then highlighted it with some crystal stickles.  The word Peace was cut from red textured card stock using a PTI die and then pop dotted over the orange flourish. Here's a close up so you can see the dimension on the card. I couldn't get the glitter to show up on the flourish...but it's really pretty in real life!

I'm not too sure how I like this card...maybe it'll grow on me after I stare at it for a while! LOL!  

Thanks so much for stopping by! I truly appreciate each and every comment!  Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥

Challenge #47 - In Remembrance

The challenge this week from Laura at I am the Diva is based on the Poem "In Flanders Field" written by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

When you create your tile or ZIA, the challenge is to remember - what this means to you.  Remember your fallen loved ones, your long lost friend from childhood, remember when your 3 year old was once a tiny bundle in your arms, remember the feel of your aging grandmother's hand... remember laughter and tears, friends and family, fallen heroes or quiet bravery. 

I've drawn my tile using black and white shaded with pencil and then I colored it just to see if I liked it.  Here's the two different tiles:

I love the background on this ZIA.  It seems to bubble off the page behind the poppy (or at least my interpretation of a poppy).  I did a little shading with some dots and then again with a #2 pencil.  This one is on a 5 x 5 inch tile.

After I scanned the original, I decided that I'd add a little color to the poppy.  I remember veterans selling poppies as lapel pins when I was a little girl, but I don't remember seeing them for a while.  To color my poppy, I used watercolor pencils to color and then touched it with a water pen to smooth out the color.  I keep playing with color, but I just can't make up my mind which I like the best...plain black and white or with a touch of color.

What do you think? Should I just stick with black and white....or do you like the color?

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit.  I'd love for you to come back again.  As always, your comments are much appreciated.  Until next time....

♥ Hugs! ♥

Challenge 46 - Halloween

The weekly challenge from Laura at I am the Diva is to create a tile with a Halloween theme.  I often have difficulty with Halloween themed challenges, because Halloween is just not one of my favorite holidays, so I generally stick to more of a fall theme.  I decided to tangle on some pumpkins for my entry into the challenge.

Originally, I wanted to draw my pumpkin on a black tile and tangle with a white pen.  This tile is about 4x4 inches.

After I finished it, I decided I like the black on white better.  Which do you think looks the best?

The pumpkins for both tangles were sketched by hand...maybe if I'd used a pattern they'd be a little more even...but hey! Pumpkins are rarely even!

Since I'm already posting some Zentangle Inspired art...I thought I'd share a few more of my recent drawings.

I really like all of these.  Some of them look really intricate, but they're really not.  I spent about 2.5 to 3 hours on each of them.  They're all fairly large...about 6 x 6 inches.

I'm thinking I might get a few of my pieces framed. Not sure what to do with them then, but I do believe they'd look pretty good in a frame.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by!  I appreciate all your fabulous comments.  Until next time....

♥ Hugs! ♥

Challenge 45 - Punzel

This week, Laura at I am the Diva blog spot has challenged us to use the new tangle "Punzel".  This is a tangle by Rick and Maria at Zentangle®.  (The Zentangle® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is copyrighted. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com) You can find directions for Punzel here.

This was a tough one for me.  I've been practicing it over and over and I still don't have it quite right.  I keep waiting for the steps to "click" with me! LOL!

Here's my take this week...

The first time I tried this, I realized that I had done the tangle Chainging, so I had to redo it. This is not perfect by any means, but I am reasonably happy with it.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments are truly appreciated!  Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥

LIM28 - Inky & More Tangles

This week's challenge at Less is More is to create a card using ink.  I think Chrissie and Mandi sit up nights just to come up with these difficult challenges! LOL!  Well, every week I use ink, but this week the challenge is to use ink (or ink pads) in a different way than I normally would.  I can tell you, this was definitely a challenge for me.  I thought and thought...nothing.  

Finally, I decided to drag out my tattered angels misting sprays (that's ink....right?)  I must have 8 or 10 bottles of this stuff....and ~hiding face in shame~ I've never actually used it on a project!  So, what the heck....might as well give it a whirl.  After about 4 attempts, I finally finished this card and I'm reasonably satisfied with it. 

I used a Kraft card base and masked off the area I wanted to spray with the glimmer mists.  I used a golden yellow on the top portion and the bottom portion I used a ivy green.  Both have a shimmer to them, but I'm not sure you can tell by this photo.  The sentiment is a Tim Holtz sentiment, the grass and flowers are from PTI and the butterfly is a Bo Bunny stamp.  I doodled a little trail for the butterfly.  I also stamped the butterfly in gold, then again in brown. It looks cool in real life, but it's hard to see here. I might also mention that the glitter mist sprays buckle the card stock pretty bad, so I had to work to flatten the card after I was finished.

Not being totally satisfied, I decided to give something else a try.  I've used this method before and had relatively good success. Should have known it wouldn't be so easy this time.  

I used a white card base and masked off the area for inking with post it notes.  I sponged some green and blue inks inside the masked area.  The plants are PTI stamps as is the sentiment (from two different collections).  This card I have posted is the third card I made...totally messed up the first two...bad inky messes.  Maybe I should have posted them...after all, this challenged was about being Inky! LOL!

Thought I'd also share a few of the tangles I've been making lately.  This first one kind of reminds me of a flower.  The image is drawn on a 5 x 5 inch square of white Bristol board.

This second one was for a challenge to complete a tangle using circles. This one was also on a 5 x 5 inch piece of Bristol board.

I love how this one turned out....I think I'll call it The Mouth!  I was inspired by a drawing I saw that is very similar to the way this one turned out.

 That's all for today. Thanks so much for stopping by!  Your comments are welcomed and greatly appreciated! Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥