Where I Tangle

Featuring Sue Agnew of Tucson, Arizona ~

Sue has been contributing tiles (along with her entertaining and heartfelt notes) since the very beginnings of IAST.  I was so pleased when she offered to share her tangling spaces with us.  

Sue writes:

When I got divorced at age 50, it had been so long since I’d lived alone, I was intrigued to discover how my day-to-day life at home (before and after work of course) would evolve. It has turned out that I have “islands” scattered around my house that I use for specific things.
I sit in this chair in my living room to read and to work Sudoku puzzles (note the stack of “I’ll get to them someday” books).

I have another chair in which I watch TV (lest you fear for my social life, I have a matching chair that I can wheel into the room when I have a houseguest or occasionally a boyfriend).

I even have a chair in which I brush my teeth — my electric toothbrush cycle takes 2 minutes, and I try to use that time sitting in this chair in my bedroom and looking outdoors and being grateful.

I am also including a picture of a chair in which I spend entirely too much time — at my computer! (Another chair, sadly, I don’t use enough — at my dining room table — I tend to eat most meals on a tray in front of the TV.)

And THIS is where I sit to Zentangle. It’s opposite my computer in my office/studio. The other areas of the office/studio are currently off limits to photographs until I check “clean up the studio” off my to-do list. The framed piece behind the table is an ensemble in which I participated a few years ago.

Also wanted to include two special places where I Zentangle. Soon after my first class with a CZT, in the summer of 2011, I flew to Ontario to visit my sister for a couple of weeks. We “camped” at the family cottage on Lake Superior that my grandfather built in the 1920s (my sister and her husband live in a year-round house on the same property). I’d brought Zentangle supplies to share with her, and we spent time every day (and have continued in subsequent years) sitting in the front windows looking out, talking, and drawing.

This summer, now that I am retired, I wanted to stay for a longer period of time, so I opted to try the newer cottage, which my grandfather built in the 1940s and which has running water and electricity. As kids we’d always stayed at the little camp, which has a beautiful private beach and low-bank waterfront, and the bigger cottage was my grandparents’ place and, after my parents retired, the place where they spent summers. It is also on the Lake but has a medium-bank waterfront and lots of trees in front. I found this summer that staying there by myself enabled me to “nest” and bond with the place and appreciate Grandpa’s workmanship, as well as its lovely setting. I began each day sitting in the front windows with my morning coffee and Zentangle supplies.

I am grateful that I had grandparents who were resourceful and visionary and adventurous and thrifty, and a mother who was dedicated to keeping the family property, and a sister who carries on that tradition. And for our interest in, and perhaps aptitude for, various art endeavors. This summer it was Gelli printing, but that’s a different story.

Thank you, Sue 💗

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Persistence 

"firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition"                                                                                                                      (Dictionary.com) 

IAST #261 Tile by Adele Bruno, CZT

There is a story behind this tile and it has to do with determination, persistence, and a good measure of humility.

I was determined to begin year six by completing a tile for the IAST #261.  I drew the string lines and began tangling Hexonu in the lower left hand space.  It went so far off course that I decided to blacken in the entire section to cover up any trace of the mangled tangle.  I added perfs to one string line and 3-Loops-6 to the other and then abandoned the tile.

The next day, trying to make peace with my effort, I added Hexonu and a few other details and then missed my own deadline for Monday's post.  Ugh! 
Nothing about it seemed worthy of keeping, except the nagging feeling that I should follow through and make something, anything of it.

This morning, I gave it a go again.  The large black space looked a bit too stark, so I added some tangles in white.  Aura, shading, and a few details transformed it into an acceptable piece. 


My takeaways ~
Is every tile a masterpiece?  Yes - just by virtue of that fact that you created it. 
Does every tile flow in that zen-like way?  No - but thankfully most of them do.
Is it worth the time and effort to push through creative blocks?  Yes - even when the finished piece doesn't live up to your usual standards. 

The process endures and persistence pays off.

"It's a String Thing" #262

It's Tuesday, your good news day!

Sometime last week, Fall returned with little fanfare here in central Florida.
Because September is typically one of our hottest months, the season never seems to get its just due.

To remedy a bit of lost fanfare, let's tangle with Maria Thomas' Gourdgeous and

for a seasonal compliment,  Wooooooo! by Joan Stark.

We begin with this string ~

IAST #262 by Adele Bruno, CZT

Keep in mind that strings are merely suggestions. As with all IAST adventures, simply pencil in the string and let the tangles lead the way. 

Here are the (Not so) Official Guidelines: 
* Challenges are posted on Tuesdays.
*Use the string posted for the week and some or all of the suggested patterns
* 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 for IAST are to be submitted by Saturday evening of the week issued
*Photos, notes, and the 'Tile for Honors' are (usually) posted on the following Monday 

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. 

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.

Enjoy!

"It's a String Thing" #261 Tiles

Happy beginning of our sixth year together for "It's a String Thing".

We tangled with a nod to the number six in celebration of our milestone.  The string was based on the Roman numeral VI and our tangles 3-Loops-6 (shortened to 3L6 below) and Hexonu kept the 'six' theme going.


The first tile arrived from Peggy Kohrmann (Colorado) ~

It’s been ages since I’ve participated in your tangle challenge. Almost 2 years, but I would learn new tangles and keep reading your challenges and seeing the results.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote in my sketch book about life, changes in our lives and that I wanted to begin tangling again. That week there were three new to me tangles. By the time I finished making cards of the stepouts, it was Saturday and I didn’t do the tile.
Tonight I saw your email, looked at the string and tangles and went for it!! I love the beginning of your sixth year and I want to be back.
Here is my natural tile and the fun I had was very zen. Since there are no mistakes, my tile has a bit of whimsy and an eight sided “hex”. Sometimes it doesn’t count straight!
Glad to be tangling again...

So happy you are back, Peggy!
Tangled Tidbits -
*mirrored 3L6
*multiple Hexonu variations and even a star



From Lori Bylerly (Washington State) and here on her blog ~

Happy beginnings to your 6th-year journey!

 Tangled Tidbits -
*long and elegant 3L6
*dots repeat in both the loops and curls


From Juul (France) ~

Bonjour Adèle
Here is my tile for this week. Congratulation from me also for the 5 year lustrum! And a big merci
Je t’embrasse

 Tangled Tidbits -
*wonderful variations of both tangles
*curved and straight lines for Hexonu


From Lin H, CZT (Florida) ~

Thanks for another fun challenge, Adele. Love the new Hexonu tangle.

Tangled Tidbits -
*shadow shading, pretty blend of all three colors
*random center dots for Hexonu add wonderful dimension


From Gale Sherman (Tucson, Arizona) ~

I was VERY challenged by hexonu this week no matter how many variations I tried. When I finally decided to just tangle on the string with the patterns I felt immediate release Whew!!! (I think this is the first time I’ve done that. ) Once I added the shading and the simple background I was pleased and SURPRISED. I am really looking forward to see what the other tanglers create. Week after week I love seeing how creative the other tanglers are! THANK YOU!

Tangled Tidbits -
That is the Zentangle way!
*sparkle, shading, grand depth
*N'zepple filled Hexonu


From Lisette (Switzerland) ~

As my black pen ran out of ink I decided to continue with the colors I had at hand - pink and blue. A little bit of shading with Polychromos pencils I like both patterns which were new to me.

Tangled Tidbits -
*colorful tangles and shading
*3L6 penciled strokes fill background


From Ria Matheussen, CZT (Belgium) ~

Every week, it is a nice surprise to discover what you suggest us to draw and yes, I enjoyed this challenge very much.
I have chosen to draw on a grey tile and have used only black and white.
Thank you for the quality time while drawing your challenges. (and for a pleasant tangle I didn't know: 3-Loops-6)
Warm regards from Belgium and wish you all the best.

Tangled Tidbits -
*gem like Hexonu variation
*lined and shaded background accents the lovely tangles


From Ragged Ray (United Kingdom) ~

Bon voyage as you set sail across your 6th tangled sea!
This week a valuable lesson taught to me by Hexonu. As I struggle and fail to draw tidy hexagons - simply let go and embrace the beauty of inconsistency! A peculiar tile, half white, half tan, rounded corners and also squared. A tile tangled with no plan, just time spent following the will of my pen! Just the sort of time I needed at the end of a busy week!

 Tangled Tidbits -
Ahh, that was a treat to read :)
*sparkle, shading, mix of tangles and tangle elements that shine
*stellar details of 3L6 fill Hexonu and line the V string line


From Jutta Gladnigg, CZT (Germany) ~

This week I share the joy with all the members of the IAST family of starting another year of 52 cool challenges. Looking out each Wednesday morning for a new round...
The patterns that you, dear Adele, have selected this time, are so versatile that one could hardly imagine that the bottom of the ‘sea’ in my contribution is based on the same pattern as the huge ‘whale’ gliding above...
Thank you... and a happy New 6th Year!

Tangled Tidbits -
Love the imagery, thank you, Jutta.
*Hexonu shaded to one side
*plush, rounded Hexonu variation


From Baafke (The Netherlands) ~

Hereby my submission of this week.

 Tangled Tidbits -
*weighted lines, a spot of color, and irregular shapes make Hexonu shine
*wispy 3L6


From Anselm (Berlin, Germany) and here on his blog ~

here is my tile for your IAST #260.
I took both suggested patterns 3-Loops-6 and Hexonu. 3-Loops-6 was taken to form the line of the 'V'. The 3-Loops-6 builds up the 'I'. Then i filled the V with Checkerstar and the Hexonu with Maryhill and Munchin. The rest of the tile was kept empty tho emphasize the roman 'VI'. Great challenge again and beautiful new patterns. Thank You.

Tangled Tidbits -
*light touches of tangle and shading and wonderful white space to accent them
*two Hexonu variations


From Trudi Taylor (Woodview, Ontario, Canada) ~

Greetings Adele from beautiful suburban Woodview! Starting on your 6th year! I added Maryhill, Paradox and a Betweed in my Hexonu.

 Tangled Tidbits -
* randomly detailed Hexonu
*colorful 3L6, pretty in pink


From Sherry Conte (Sanford, Florida) ~

I'm on the fence about shading this one so I'll just send it in. Other Tangles include Tripoli and Rain.

Tangled Tidbits -
One idea is to take a photo or scan of your tile, save it, and then shade your tile.  That way you have both.  AND both are just right!
*darkened sections of star like Hexonu
*aura-ed rows of 3L6 with dotted darkened space in between


From Mariam G (Port Hueneme, California) ~

So excited to start year six with IAST! Since Saturday is the start of Autumn, I used a watercolor tile that was already washed with Fall colors.
Time is flying by, Summer is still here, yet gone; Fall is in the air and the first frost will be just around the corner. Nature does what it does, with no mind to us...

Tangled Tidbits -
Well said and beautifully captured.
*Hexonu pieces scatter
*aura to one side of 3L6


From Amy L (Connecticut) ~

I found hexonu to be particularly challenging as I have trouble making my hexagons consistent. This lead me to dividing each section up into threes, which is a technique I use with Tripoli as well. I adored 3-loops-6 and can’t wait to use it again. Thanks again for an interesting challenge, Adele!

Tangled Tidbits -
*wonderful mesh of tangles
*shading and sparkle add depth


From Sue Leslie, CZT 22 (New Mexico) ~

Here’s to the start of year #6 for IAST. The first ever Rocky Mountain Zentangle Retreat in Colorado Springs this week was a blast. So much fun. One of our sessions with instructor Nancy Dawes was doing Delft Blue using multiple blues on an Opus tile. So I elected to play with it again here for IAST 261. RMZR was a success, so the plans are to make it at least an annual event, maybe even semiannual!! I’m already making plans to go back next year.

 Tangled Tidbits -
Thank you for the new of the Rocky Mountain Zentangle Retreat - sounds like fun.
*blend of blue and black for Hexonu
*double aura of 3L6


From Margarete Gilge (Germany) and here on her blog ~

thank you for this interesting challenge. Again I drew two versions. Both you can find on my blog...
Best wishes from Germany

 Tangled Tidbits -
*fabulous details throughout - aura, sparkle, shading...
*lily-like finished to 3L6


From Jane (Surrey, United Kingdom) ~

What a wonderful celebration last week and such a great response from everyone! As for this week, well as I really love drawing Hexonu thank you for including it in this challenge!

 Tangled Tidbits -
*marvelous, multiple Hexonu variations
*touch of color make lines of 3L6 shine


From Shirley Wohlsen (Queensland, Australia) ~

Hi Adele, I know I’m running a little later than usual .
But like the old saying, better late than never J
Attached is my tile for ‘It’s A String Thing # 261’ Challenge.

Tangled Tidbits -
*two sizes and finishes for Hexonu
*elegant, simple lined version of 3L6


From Mary Helmers (Boerne, Texas) ~

It's been quite a while since I submitted a tile, and decided to jump back in. This one was a doozie, with the juxtaposition between the lovely, gentle 3-loops-6 and the sharp angles of hexonu. This tile and I stared at one another for two days. Then, Friday night, we had a wild Texas thunderstorm. Between the thunder and my upset dog, I wasn't sleeping anyhow, so I got up and stared at the tile some more. Finally, I picked up my pen and started, and this is what happened. It is interesting.

Welcome back, Mary!
Tangled Tidbits -
*straight lines and loops fill Hexonu
*dots, aura, and shading accent beautifully



From VenaC (Whitby, Ontario, Canada) ~

I like both patterns which were new to me. I am not too happy with my composition or my execution but I have no time to start again so, once again, it is what it is. We had a big wind storm rush through last evening so it is cooler today. We have had an extremely hot summer. Living in Florida, you must be used to the heat. Thanks for this challenge.

Tangled Tidbits -
Yes, September is our hottest month - happy to know you have a break in your weather.
*three variations of Hexonu
*lovely line of 3L6 with a touch of shading


From Susan Theron (Velddrif, South Africa) ~

Thanks for this challenge. Hexonu put a hex on me and some Hexonu's ended as eight sided.

 Tangled Tidbits -
*wonderful Hexonu variations
*dark aura for tangles along the string line


From Lynn G (Florida) ~

Thank you for another fun challenge. I found Hexonu to be a versatile tangle.

 Tangled Tidbits -
*beautiful variations and colorings of Hexonu
*3L6 along the string line V


From Judy Wanner, CZT (Pennsylvania) ~

This was a fun one and, as always, I look forward to seeing all tiles. It is quite a fun education.
Zen Hens are impressed with the numerous tiles using the same string and tangles. Still amazes me too. Many thanks for all you do, Adele.

Tangled Tidbits - 

*glorious combination of tangles and variations of the tangles

*tangles concentrated in the string's spaces

From Hilary (Chicago) ~

Who knew that drawing hexagons could be such a challenge! At least I found it so. I even asked myself, how come bees don’t have trouble doing this? So I drew a little bee to help me out.
I hope you’re having a nice weekend. Happy autumn — although I’m guessing that in Florida that doesn’t mean much!

Tangled Tidbits -
Autumn?!  We may get a little one in late December :)
*that is one helpful little bee in a busy hive of Hexonu variations
*detail lines, dots, orbs, shading, pop of color - happy details!


From Maike (Germany) ~

This is my tile for IAST #261. I‘ve learned two new tangle patterns with 3-loop-6 and hexonu. And I fell in love with 3-loop-6, it‘s so sweet and fun to draw!
Lots of love from Germany

 Tangled Tidbits -
*dotted centers of Hexonu
*dark center loops of 3L6, weighted aura lines, and shading make it rise above



From Ulrike (Germany) ~

What a great beginning of 6th year "IAST"!
I´ve used 3-Loops-6 and Hexonu as strings and completed it with Checkerstar.
Best regards from Germany.

 Tangled Tidbits -
*how fun that you and Peter (above) both highlighted the same background tangle
*awesome Hexonu variations and weighted lines for 3L6 loops


From Lynn F (Florida) ~

This week’s challenge was FunFunFunFunFunFun!

Tangled Tidbits - 

*happy mix of tangles and light and dark spaces

*multiple variations of both tangles

From Susie (St. Louis, Missouri) ~

Tangled Tidbits - 

*shaded string lines and spaces filled with tangles

*lovely Hexonu variations, highlighted and shaded

From Nord'zin (Wales, United Kingdom) ~

Here is my contribution for this week’s challenge. 3-loops-six is so lovely to draw - mesmerising. Continuing your ‘six’ theme, I added in a little C-six as I like its wavy look.
I enjoyed seeing all the birthday tiles for the previous 4 years as well as this year. I love the candle string and used it on the card I made for my son’s birthday. I put the string of 5 candles at each side of a tangled tile, set on the diagonal. My son said, “I’m 31 Mum, not 20”! At least he can add up!

Tangled Tidbits - 

Hahaha, that is very sweet!  Happy birthday to your son :)

*pretty rows of 3L6

*nice touch of shading between aura 

From Allison (Rocklin, California) ~

I am getting this in just under the wire I hope. Somehow the time from Tuesday to Saturday goes super fast. Anyway here is my entry for #261. This string was so interesting. At first glance, I saw a mountain in front of a sun. As soon as I did Diva Dance in the big circle shape (sun) the whole thing changed so I was seeing something different. I love when that happens. Besides 3-loops and Hexonu, I used Diva Dance and Ing.

 Tangled Tidbits -
I do love that, too.  And I agree that the week goes by very quickly indeed.
*border line of 3L6
*fancy finishes for Hexonu


From Dolly Bolen, CZT (Alberta, Canada) ~

I am e-mailing my submission for IAST#261 on time for a change! I started this tile before you posted your instructions/suggestions for your IAST#261 challenge so that is why I used Boofont by Zenjo posted recently on the Zentangle Mosaic App and Prestwood by fellow Canadian 🇨🇦 Margaret Bremner, I saw a VI in my composition after reading your blog instructions. I also did a tile with the tangles you suggested. I love the vibrant colours in this “Rebel” tile and my signature bling!
Thank you for all you do for us, the time you spend creating your challenges and for generously sharing all your creativity with us so we can participate!

I sent you my first “Rebel” tile for your IAST#261 challenge a little earlier tonight in another e-mail but I thought I would also e-mail you my second tile for your challenge too. I created this one penciling the VI string in first versus how I just started tangling my first #IAST261 tile without realizing there was a VI in the composition then read your blog and saw the VI string afterwards. How that happened, remains a mystery. This tile was extremely fun to draw, I of course added metallic and stardust Sakura Micron Gelly Roll Pens to give my tile the added bling I have come to love so much! The hearts are for you and all the tanglers who participate in your challenges week after week! I am happy to report that this week I am actually on time, I met your deadline!

Tangled Tidbits -
How fun that that all came together!
*sparkle and color and shine - beautiful.
*heart tipped 3L6 curls


From Sharon Fite (California) ~

Great challenge to start Year 6, Adele! I did a black and white paste-up again (cutting the string out of a black tile and a white tile, mixing the parts, and taping the back). I love having an organic tangle paired with a geometric. Hexonu is so much fun! I filled mine with a Faucett treatment among others, very versatile. I added Antidote and Printemp tangles. Wishing everyone a great week!

Tangled Tidbits -
*glorious black and white composition
*long lined 3L6 variation



From Ingrid (The Netherlands) ~

I kept Hexonu simple and basic, because I thought the tile would be too busy otherwise.
With much love and a lot of hugs, have a blessed week

 Tangled Tidbits -
*light lined Hexonu background
*dark aura, dots, and pretty shading for 3L6


From Ute (East Fisia, Germany) ~

Dear Adele, here is my tile for It’s a String Thing # 261.
Nice string. And I liked to try these new to me tangles Hexonu and 3-Loops-6.
‘Nzeppel and Bales wanted to be there too.

 Tangled Tidbits -
*sharp contrast in Hexonu variation
*triple aura for light and lovely 3L6


From Anita A Westin (Dalarna, Sweden) and here on her blog ~

Dear Adele! What a nice string! I will sure use it again! Two Lovely patterns also! Here is my entry and comments in my blog

 Tangled Tidbits -
*fabulous color, dark space, highlight, and detail
*rounded corners, weighted lines, and white spaces make Hexonu and 3L6 shine


From Cyndee Pelley (Oklahoma) and here on her blog ~

This week's IAST tile led me on a frantic search over the last 3 days! To have a tile finished, except for finishing touches, just disappear was a mystery! For the last 2 days I thought perhaps Simba had taken it outside and chewed on it but no sign could be found. I've been fighting illness for a couple of weeks now and I just didn't have the energy to worry about doing another. I figured I'd just miss this week's challenge, which was due last night. Sigh! However, when stripping my bed this afternoon, there it was, relatively unscathed, beneath my pillow! Don't ask how it ended up there, but since it was almost finished, I scurried around and put the finishing touches on it and here it is! (Simba is still feeling offended but I gave him a treat and he might forgive me!)

 Tangled Tidbits -
So very happy you found this - and that Simba was not to blame...or maybe he was :)
*elegant details, colors, white accents
*two eye catching variations and sizes of 3L6


Many thanks to the all of the tanglers who sent in tiles this week to celebrate the beginning of year six.

Thanks to the creative minds behind the tangles we used ~

3-Loops-6 by CZT Mina Hsiao
Hexonu by CZT Cherryl Moote 


Check back Tuesday afternoon for "It's a String Thing" #262!

Where I Tangle

Featuring Susan from the United Kingdom ~

Susan writes:

After seeing #MyArtistDesk on Twitter I wanted to try and tangle a picture of my desk area, but my drawing skills weren’t really up to it. So I took a photo and used the website rapidresizer.com to recreate an outline from the photo. The effect wasn’t quite what I expected, but I really like it. I ended up not adding tangles, but just outlining key features.
So this is where I tangle. Ideally I imagine tangling sitting out in my garden room, peacefully enjoying nature. In reality the second picture is more typical, I usually sit on the sofa, sometimes with the television on, and sometimes beside the fire if it is winter. I like the Hollibaugh effect on the trees in the first picture.

Thank you, Susan!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Prayer of St. Padre Pio

Zendala by Adele Bruno, CZT