Happy New Year!

New Year ZIA by Adele Bruno, CZT

Tangles:
Ahh, Onamato, Patina, Pia, Prinemps, and Raddox by Maria Thomas
Bublz by Lori Byerly
Moonpie by CZT Joan Delony
Pia by CZT Margaret Bremner
Quiltz by Kym Barlow

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Hope smiles from the threshold 

of the year to come,

whispering, 'It will be happier.'

                                                                                                    ~Alfred Lord Tennyson

Zendala by Lin Helfer

I trust this year was a happy one and, with hope, wish you an even happier one to come!


The beautiful zendala for today's post is by Lin Helfer.  Lin attended my Tangled Fortune Cookie class and began with the intention of tangling this and folding it into a fortune cookie shape.  Once she tangled Sand around the border, she changed her mind and concentrated on creating this striking zendala. 
Thank you to "It's a String Thing" contributor, Donna (Pennsylvania) for the reference to today's quote.  

"It's a String Thing" #125

It's Tuesday, your good news day!

It is also the last Tuesday of 2015.  My goodness the year has flown by.  Let's celebrate the coming new year with some bubbly - bubbly tangles, if you please.

We begin with TanglePatterns String 125 by Cathy Clifford ~

Copyrighted image used with permission by TanglePatterns.com

The tangles include:
Bubbles by CZT Suzanne McNeill
Sprocket by Vera Giesbrecht
Tipple by Maria Thomas, Zentangle® co-founder
                                   Click here for CZT Margaret Bremner's excellent tutorial.

This should be an effervescent tangling experience :)

Use as many or as few of these patterns as you wish.

Simply pencil the string line onto your tile and tangle away! Keep in mind that string lines are suggestions and let the patterns lead the way.

Here are the (Not so) Official Guidelines: 
* Challenges are posted on Tuesdays.
*Use the string posted for the week and patterns that begin or contain the letter(s) indicated
* Submit a photo of your tile saved as jpg or scan your tile (300 dpi or higher) and save as a jpg
*Email your jpg file as an attachment to - brunoadelem@gmail.com
*Entries are to be submitted by Saturday evenings.
*Photos and 'Best of Show' are posted on Mondays. 

Send in your photos - you will encourage and inspire fellow Zentangle® enthusiasts all over the world.  WHEN YOU SIGN YOUR NAME, PLEASE INCLUDE WHERE YOU LIVE.  
FOR EXAMPLE:   ADELE BRUNO (FLORIDA)

PLEASE NOTE: It is not necessary for you to have a blog or website to participate. 
In order to eligible for the drawing, you must send in your completed tile.

If you do have a blog or website, I will add a link upon request. 
Please include the site specific URL. 

I look forward to your emails.
HAVE FUN!

"It's a String Thing" #124 Tiles

What a wonderfully joy filled Christmastime it is!

This week tanglers in our "It's a String Thing" community have given us a belated Christmas gift as we get to view their beautiful work.

Let's take a look ~

The first tile arrived from smgg (Taiwan) ~

Merry Christmas!

Tangled Tidbits -
*two circles of Eddyper
*highlighted blue background

 From Anita A Westin (Dalarna, Sweden) ~

Hope your christmas has been blessed! Here is my entry with Eddiper. There is no Flux in it but Tipple showed up and Fescu joined at the end! This time I used my Lamy Fountainpen (which I like very much, mostly for writing though). Thank you for a relaxing challenge!
With the best regards

Tangled Tidbits - 

*scroll of Eddyper repeats on the border

*wonderful shading

From Bhamathi (Bangalore, India) ~

Hope you had a great Christmas!!
I liked Eddyper. I used one of the variation which looks like little White Calla lilies..Thanks for another fun challenge!!

 Tangled Tidbits -
*three rings of Eddyper
*pretty variation of the tangle


From Henrike Bratz ( Germany) ~

My tile for this week’s challenge is just a small Bijou...
Best wishes and wonderful last days in 2016
Henrike
PS.: The weather in Northern Germany is MUCH to warm for the season – 12 degrees celsius!!!! stormy, rainy .... nothing like “White Christmas” at all!

 Tangled Tidbits -
*detail lines of Eddyper compliment Zinger
*weighted lines and shading


From Karin (Germany) ~

thank you for this Special Christmas-challenge. For me the circle was like a Zendala. It´s amazing how many variations the pattern Eddyper offers. I really like it.
I hope you enjoyed the Christmas Holidays and received many presents in the form of wonderful tiles

Tangled Tidbits -
*an Eddyper center burst
*three variations of the tangle


From Juul (France) ~

Wow Adèle....this was so much fun. I LOVE this tangle!
Thank you so much.

Tangled Tidbits - 

*graceful folds of Eddyper

*lovely shading

From Kate (United Kingdom) ~

Oh dear, I found Eddyper so difficult but found some quiet time this
Boxing Day holiday to tackle it and added some Scrolled Feather - here
is my completed tangle.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you a happy, healthy and
peaceful New Year.

Tangled Tidbits - 

*lovely combination of tangles

*detail lines throughout

From Jean Beckstrom (Alabama)~

Challenge: Eddyper plus showgirl added
I scanned my tile before coloring, but the shading does not show up like it does for real. Because of time involved I just colored the eddyper design. That is the first time I have used color. I am not so sure I like it as much. Still learning. Thanks for the challenge. Happy New Year!

Tangled Tidbits -
*very complimentary tangles
*Eddyper circle and more flowing from Showgirl


From Becky Welty (North Carolina) ~

I just learned how to make gems. I had to draw one on a tile. They are so fun to make! Hope everyone had a merry Christmas.

Tangled Tidbits - 

*gorgeous Eddyper ZIA

*Eddyper hearts

From Hilary Merola (Illinois) ~

God Sunday morning and I hope you are enjoying this holiday season!
When I first saw Eddyper, I just fell in love with it and couldn't wait to try it. I guess the feeling wasn't mutual since I never quite mastered it. My first several attempts were all over the place and that was before I tried a circular version. I'm eager to see what the others have managed with this because I really think it's a great pattern.
Thanks so much for your hard work doing this, and I wish you the happiest new year.

Tangled Tidbits -
*wonderful center burst of Eddyper
*the tangle branches out from the center


From Ingrid (The Netherlands) ~

In the attachment my ST # 124. It was so nice to do this tile.
Have a blessed and happy end of this year, and all the Love and Creativity for 2016 to you ALL.

 Tangled Tidbits -
*Verdigogh entwined Eddyper
*pretty ornaments and coloration


From CZT Lucy Banta (New Jersey) and here on her blog ~

Hope you had a merry Christmas and fun times with your family and friends.
I love the tangle you introduced (to me) this week, Eddyper. So pretty and delicate.
Happy new year!

Tangled Tidbits -
*wonderful dimension through shading
*very full and pretty ring of Eddyper


From Donna (Pennsylvania) ~

So great to be back!! This turned into a real celebration with Eddyperl starting the action,zensplosion popping up and others joining the chorus! I'm very grateful to be a part of this community of exceptional people. A quote for all .."Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come," Tennyson.
Cheers

 Tangled Tidbits -
*a wonderful celebration of tangles, as Donna said
*dark aura makes the center Eddyper pop


From CZT midori (Florida) ~

what an elegant tangle pattern 'eddyper' is! it never ceases to amaze me just how these tangle patterns have been carefully broken down into approachable, mindful strokes. for now, i left enough space...in case, if i ever revisit this tile, i might like to tangle some more. 

 Tangled Tidbits -
*fabulous white space elegantly shaded
*two variations of Eddyper flow in a circular motion


A very warm welcome to ToniLyn Parker-Durr ~

This is my very first Zentangle entry I started learning to tangle only about 6 weeks ago and am very excited to see where I can take it in the future. I love your blog and want to thank you for all the info, advice and connections you share.

Tangled Tidbits -
*two colorful variations of Eddyper
*lovely combination of patterns


And this is my contribution ~

I decided to start with a ribbon and make a wreath shaped Eddyper.  The result was much too light, so I added black perfs, some scrolls, and shading.  The overall look was still much too light.  To add weight, I added aura and a bit more shading.

And now, the tile for honors this week was sent in by
Beth Gaughan from North Carolina ~

Here is my entry for ST 124. My finished tile reminded me of a sheet music wreath I bought in a little shop in town, so I'm enclosing a photo of it for you to see. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tangled Tidbits -
*center burst of Eddyper
*two variations of the tangle
*black spaces anchor the outer layer of Eddyper
*added Tipple that floats off the the edges of the tile
*pretty shading


Congratulations Beth!  I have a little some thing coming in the mail for you.

Many thanks to our contributors this week and to CZT Damy for her beautiful tangle, Eddyper.

Thank you all for your sweet Christmas wishes.  My best to you as you prepare for the New Year.

Stop by tomorrow afternoon for "It's a String Thing" #125!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Greetings by Adele Bruno, CZT
Pauline's Pigtail, Uncorked, Diva Dance, Verdigogh, Ahh

Tangled Straw Ornaments

These beautiful handgefertigte strohsterne (handmade straw stars) are the precious handiwork of artist Henrike Bratz of Germany.

Henrike, who lives near the Baltic Sea, is a frequent contributor to "It's a String Thing" and I always enjoy her tiles as well as her weather updates.  This spring she surprised me with a package of her pretty straw stars.  I was moved to happy tears - such a precious gift.

They are extraordinarily special, not only because they are a gift, but because she wove a tangled piece of vellum into the center of each star.  The tangles she used are my Bud, Budlite, Xav, and Lanie - isn't that remarkable?

I have been waiting patiently for the Christmas season to hang them on my tree ~

Each one is delicately knotted together with a silver gossamer string.

 Each one is different.

 Each one is beautifully tangled.

It is wonderful that Christmas is here and they now grace my tree.  I must admit though, that I have kept them displayed on my bookcase since they first arrived.

To see more of Henrike's handmade straw stars, click here and/or here for her website and shop.

May your gifts these season bring comparable joy!

"It's a String Thing" #124

It's Tuesday, your good news day!

We continue our holiday theme this week - this Christmas week - with a very simple and elegant tangle and idea.

We begin by drawing  a circle for a very simple string ~

"It's a String Thing" #124 String by Adele Bruno, CZT

The tangle we will use is Eddyper by CZT Damy (Mei Hua Teng).

Click here or on the tanlge's name above to view the step out and the many wonderful variations Damy provides.  

You will notice that in her first example of tangling Eddyper in a circle, she also includes a bit of Flux. perfs, and scrolls.

Feel free to use any variation of the tangle and embellish it as you wish.

Send in your tiles as late as Monday morning.  'Tis the season for many activities, hopefully this monotangle will provide just enough time for you!

Have a blessed Christmas week!

 
Simply pencil the string line onto your tile and tangle away! Keep in mind that string lines are suggestions and let the patterns lead the way.

Here are the (Not so) Official Guidelines: 
* Challenges are posted on Tuesdays.
*Use the string posted for the week and patterns that begin or contain the letter(s) indicated
* Submit a photo of your tile saved as jpg or scan your tile (300 dpi or higher) and save as a jpg
*Email your jpg file as an attachment to - brunoadelem@gmail.com
*Photos and 'Best of Show' are posted on Mondays. 

Send in your photos - you will encourage and inspire fellow Zentangle® enthusiasts all over the world.  WHEN YOU SIGN YOUR NAME, PLEASE INCLUDE WHERE YOU LIVE.  
FOR EXAMPLE:   ADELE BRUNO (FLORIDA)

PLEASE NOTE: It is not necessary for you to have a blog or website to participate. 
In order to eligible for the drawing, you must send in your completed tile.

If you do have a blog or website, I will add a link upon request. 
Please include the site specific URL. 

I look forward to your emails.
HAVE FUN!

"It's a String Thing" #123 Tiles

"It's as easy as 1-2-3!"   Could that describe "IAST" #123?  Let's find out...

The first tile arrived from New Jersey CZT Lucy Banta ~

Thought I better get an early start on this weekly tangle. I love the way Katie demonstrates Daviso, but boy was it harder than I thought. I struggled to get the diagonal lines in the right spot. I'll have to give it another shot because I really like the possibilities of this tangle.
Here's the link to my blog

 Tangled Tidbits -
*sparkle, aura, and red for Holiday Ornaments
*smaller Daviso topped with Holiday Ornaments



A very warm welcome to Jean Beckstrom (Alabama) ~

These were two new tangles for me. Thanks for the challenge.
I have had only eight zentangle lessons. I love this and got my artist daughter started on it too. She is thoroughly enjoying it because she has a very busy travel schedule, and is able to do zentangle to help her relax and use her natural abilities. Other art forms take set up time, a lot of "equipment", and clean up time. Zentangle is always ready and waiting for your pen to paper.

Tangled Tidbits -
*Holiday Ornaments loosened from their string
*just a touch of Daviso and wonderful white space

From Sarah (Michigan) ~

Hello from Hungrycorgistudio!
Daviso has always eluded me. I almost got it. But today it got me I think! I loved using the tangles in this quandary of a string to someone like me. :)
It's good for my brain and makes me think. Can't beat that and then it is fun as well. Happy Holidays!

 Tangled Tidbits -
*large Holiday Ornaments in the string loops
*Daviso flows with the string lines


From smgg (Taiwan) ~

This is my tenth Contribut[ion].Thank you for giving me this opportunity to challenge myself.Have a nice day!!

Tangled Tidbits -
* three variations of Daviso
*four variations of Holiday Ornaments and smgg's mark is in one :)


From Kate (United Kingdom) ~

I like the first of my tangles but thought that, although the 'holiday
baubles' looked quite dramatic they weren't really festive baubles so I
tried again. Now I don't know which I prefer so - I've sent both!
Best wishes

 Tangled Tidbits -
*two pretty variations of Holiday Ornaments
*Daviso lines wrapped up and over the string lines in Aqufleur fashion


From Bhamathi Pai (Bangalore, India) and here on her blog ~

Thanks for another fun String. I loved this week's choice of tangles. 'Holiday ornaments' is one of my favourites. I had never done 'Daviso' before.
I used Linda Farmer's tip of using a diamond grid to draw Daviso. Very helpful I must say!
I did 3 attempts this week. I love them all!!

Tangled Tidbits -
*each of the three fabulous takes on the theme include wonderful shading
*Holiday Ornaments shines in all four variations


From Juul (France) ~

Here is my contribution..... I found it very difficult. But I'm happy I could "finish" my tile.
I wish you a very happy christmas with your lovely family!

Tangled Tidbits - 

*string sections are Holiday Ornaments

*happy wishes fill the white spaces

From Anita A. Westin (Dalarna, Sweden) ~

Here comes my entry and I wish you all a Merry Christmas!
With warm regards 

Tangled Tidbits -
*perfs carry from Holiday Ornaments and spill over into neighboring spaces
*shading adds wonderful depth


From Dr. Shazia (India) ~

The moment i see the string.. i keep staring at it the whole day.. i start wen i actually make the whole visual tile in my thoughts....
This string has an "S"...starts with my name too... i never thought holiday ornaments are sooo lovely to work with... The daviso... it tuk some time for me to actually get it.... daviso has got dat "DISCO luk "... its soo much fun to take out time for this lovely art- ZEN..(though i never make my patients wait)...loved it!
Thanx adele...i love the string thing...

 Tangled Tidbits -
*doubled line on the right side of Holiday Ornaments gives the tangle dimension
*lovely details throughout


From Lisa Preston (Georgia) ~

Finally! I have had the worst "writer's block" recently where Zentangle is concerned. I just couldn't get started for fear of messing up. I have a lot of half started tiles that left me cold. But I swore I was going to do this one.
I didn't love it when I started it, but in typical Zentangle fashion, it really grew on me, and now I quite like it. What an interesting phenomenon! I even had some nice Zen moments while working on it.
Thanks for keeping it simple this week!
Hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas!

 Tangled Tidbits -
*Lisa's note is a testament to the Zentangle® method - there are no "mess ups" and taken one stroke at a time, the result is always beautiful
*Daviso filled string loops
*pretty shading


From Karin (Germany) ~

this is my entry to no. 123.
As I didn´t use 63y in my last tile I tried it this time… think I have to practise much more!
I wish you a merry Christmas with your loving Family around you. Have a good time!
Greetings from Germany!

Tangled Tidbits - 

*63Y is a lovely compliment to Daviso

*Holiday Ornaments along the string line

From Deepti Jois (Bangalore, India) ~

This the first time I tried to use a tangle as a background. I thoroughly enjoyed making this tile. Thank you.

 Tangled Tidbits -
*wonderful waves of Daviso in the background
*many tiny swirls for Holiday Ornaments



From Ingrid (The Netherlands) ~

Last week I wasn't able to make a tile. So for this week's challenge I combined a pattern from last week(Verdigogh) and this week(Christmas Ornaments) and some Ahh.
Have fun in this busy, busy Christmas time.

 Tangled Tidbits -
*a glorious mix of tangles
*weighted lines around Holiday Ornaments


From Beth Gaughan (North Carolina) ~

Hi Adele, here is my tile for this week's challenge. I have really been enjoying the holiday-themed challenges this month! Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

 Tangled Tidbits -
*Kuke tucked into Holiday Ornaments
*touch of shading added to Daviso


A very warm welcome to Jennifer (Kansas) ~

Just found your blog this week. Thanks, it looks so fun and inspiring to see everyone's creativity! I Just discovered zentangle a couple of months ago so I'm still figuring some things out (like not tearing the paper when I'm blending my shading :) )

 Tangled Tidbits -
*Daviso changes size and orientation in three string sections
*super shading (you are learning well!)


From Becky Welty (North Carolina) ~

Happy Holidays everyone!

Tangled Tidbits -
*Holiday Ornaments and Daviso complimented by Mooka
*dark Holiday Ornaments contrasts nicely with the lighter tangles


From Susan Theron (South Africa) ~

Here is mine! Also on my blog
Merry Christmas to you and all my fellow tanglers!

Tangled Tidbits -
*aura and shading for free floating Daviso
*dark sparkled Holiday Ornaments along the string line


From CZT midori (Florida) ~

what i really look forward to is setting aside a moment to create a tile for each weekly challenge. i enjoy being acquainted with new tangles (eg. 'daviso', 'holiday ornaments) and being part of this fun zentangle community. as i started tangling 'holiday ornaments', it serendipitously morphed into a venetian, glass necklace my grandmother once cherished. seems, i get wrapped up in a reminiscent trance when in zentangle mode.

Tangled Tidbits -
*such a sweet and sentimental time tangling - a beautiful variation of Holiday Ornaments
*double lined Daviso and a reverse black/white variation - very striking



From Cathy Cusson ~

It has been busy for me (and everyone else) these past few days...

Tangled Tidbits -
*stark black and white spaces
*Holiday Ornaments seem to peek through from underneath Daviso



And now...the tile for honors this week was sent in by
Ragged Ray (Jem) from the United Kingdom ~

She wrote:
From Ragged Ray (United Kingdom) ~

Careful planning and lots of lists are coming together to get things ready for our imminent festive season - and have even allowed a little time to tangle! A Christmas present in itself!
My Holiday Ornaments turned into beads, and Daviso chose to be a bit curvy. Two things came to me during the drawing of this week's tile. One - the only way to draw a spiral is slowly! And two - I always think of something I wish I'd done moments after finishing the tile. But there's the joy, as there is always another tile, another tangle to try it on.

 Tangled Tidbits -
*Holiday Ornament spirals add tremendous dimension - note how they overlap, curve over the sides, and vary in size and shape
*Holiday Ornaments flow from a single string line
*string lines intersect at a button
*two Daviso variaions
*shading adds a shadow effect

Congratulations to you Ragged Ray!  I have a little something coming in the mail for you.

Thank you to all of you for taking the time to tangle in the midst of this wonderfully busy season.

Many thanks to the creative minds behind our string and tangles this week ~

TanglePatterns String 123 by Kim English
Daviso by Katie Crommett, CZT
Holiday Ornaments by Suzanne McNeill, CZT

Stop by tomorrow for "It's a String Thing" #124!