"It's a String Thing" #152 Tiles

This week we celebrated the "lazy, hazy, crazy" days of summer and the results promise to amaze.

Let's take a look ~

The first tiles arrived from Katrina Handson (Florida) ~

Here's my entry for string #152 I really liked this challenge I did two tiles the first i just went with the sun and wave look( i had a recent beach trip so this was a perfect tangle for what i had on my mind!) the second i tried to differentiate a little ^-^ Hope everyone's enjoying their summer

 Tangled Tidbits -
*waves of Kitl
*aura-ed string circle

 Tangled Tidbits -
*Kitl border
*lovely circular Lenche


From smgg (Taiwan) and on her Istagram ~

Have a nice day!!!

Tangled Tidbits -
*layered Kitl topped with Lenche
*large, sparkled Lenche circle


From Ilse Lukken (The Netherlands)  and here on her blog ~

When I started this challenge, I wasn't sure what it would be like, but it turned out nicer than I had thought ;-)

Tangled Tidbits -
*double looped Kitl
*Lenche corners
*soft shading and highlights


From Gesine (Germany) ~

I was really surprised by the outcome of this one… Loopy tangles tend to get out of my hand, but I still somehow like the result.

Tangled Tidbits -
*Lenche topped Kitl
*crossed lines of Lenche (bottom left)
*multiple aura and striking colors create a stunning ZIA


From Val Steele (Johannesburg, South Africa) ~

This was fun to do. I made it light and airy and snuck in Aah from last week.
Kitl, Lenche, Shnek, Angel Fish and Aah.

Tangled Tidbits -
*Lenche shaded along its long lines
*large Kitl circle aura-ed in Lenche curves
*pretty combination of tangles



From Lily Moon (Hungary) and here on her blog ~

... here is my tile for your weekly challenge...

Tangled Tidbits -
*tips of Lenche sparkle with white dots and shading
*fabulous variation of Kitl - stripes, sparkle, aura, black and white spaces



From Susan (United Kingdom) ~

Hi, lovely to do a sunny tangle when it feels like autumn here!

Tangled Tidbits -
*continuous line version of Kitl
*string circle filled and outlined with Lenche



From Hilary Gibbons (Southern Spain) ~

I'm attaching my effort for IAST #152 today :)
I've been trying to teach myself to tangle by finding lovely sites like yours. From here I've discovered some people whose work really is gorgeous.
I've found out today that I'm probably breaking all the Zentangle rules with my entry so please feel free to put it in the trash if it doesn't qualify! It's a bit tricky out on your own but I've found someone else who's self taught now and her work is amazing so give me a few years and I have some hope lol! If I ever win the Lotto I'll come stateside and do my CZT training :)

That would be wonderful, Hilary!

Tangled Tidbits -
*since there are no mistakes in Zentangle, completed tiles are always works of art and this is no exception :)
*lovely layered circle of Kitl
*Lenche dots hug the string line as the tangle curves in and out



From Tina Kirchhübel (Germany) and here on her blog ~

For the challenge this week I didn't really stay concentrated so I am not satisfied with the result. It's too chaotic I think...
Greetings from Germany

Tangled Tidbits -
*Kitl tucked into Lenche
*ribboned Lenche string line


From Allison Durno (Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada) ~

This tile fought me a bit. I started a tile where I was using Kitl for the circle, but it just wasn't working out for me. Left it a day or two and started again, this time using Lenche for the circle. Things fell into place after that. I like the strong contrast in the Kitl at the bottom of the square, though I still find the tangle tricky to draw. Add some shading and finally had something I was happy with. Have a great week!

Tangled Tidbits -
*wonderful black spaces anchor Kilt
*sunburst of Lenche



From Sabine (Germany) and here on her blog ~

A summer inspired string and the tangles Lenche and Kitl to celebrate the summer a great idea for this week. Two lovely and easy looking pattern, but this one maked some trouble to me. I don't know why and I'm not really satiesfied. But however, it is was it is :)), here is my entrie.
With greetings from a sunny/cloudy Germany

Tangled Tidbits -
*sparkled rays of Kitl

*blackened half loops of Kitl

*pretty use of aura and sparkle

From Denise (New Hampshire) ~

Kitl was a challenge for me....first I was making them too small, then too big. I like the final result--a mix of both! I added fragment "W7" from the Zentangle Primer book. I like the look it created. It reminds me a bit of seashells on the beach. I also felt like I wanted to add more, but I'm glad I kept it simple. Thanks for sharing.
Instagram: string.then.tangle

 Tangled Tidbits -
*simple and elegant tangles
*shadowed long lines of Lenche



From Michele Wynne (California) ~

Thanks so much for another challenging challenge. Both of these patterns were new to me and I love them both. I had several watercolor tiles left over after going on a red, white and blue binge last week. I hope you had a lovely 4th.
Thank you for all you do.

 Tangled Tidbits -
*Kitl filled string circle
*sparkle, shading, and color add depth



From Jean Beckstrom (Alabama) ~

This is my contribution to this week's challenge using Lenche and Kitl. I hope it is acceptable.
As always I look forward to seeing what others do to express themselves. I always learn a great deal.

Tangled Tidbits -
*delightful detail lines repeat in both patterns
*Kitl used along the string line, in a circle, and and on its own




From Anja (East Frisia, Germany) and here on her blog ~

To be honest, this week I was a little skeptical. "What should come out with this combination?" ;) The result poitively surprised me!!! :) Thanks a lot for this great Challenge!
Many Greetings vom Germany!

Tangled Tidbits -
*elegant black, white, and shaded Kitl
*weighted lined and shading of Lenche
*shaded white space in the sting's circle



From Ingrid (The Netherlands) ~

In the attachment my tile # 152.
A very nice string and patterns you gave us. Working on this tile gave me the feeling of a long, hot and lazy summer, but o how I miss these summers here in The Netherlands. So far this summer, we have cloudy and rainy weather. Well I would say: perfect weather for tangling!

Tangled Tidbits -
*a Kitl butterfly!
*doubled string line filled with Kitl
*scalloped Lenche string circle


From Jutta Gladnigg (Germany) ~

"High noon at coral reef"

Tangled Tidbits -
*clever Kitl border
*little orbs from Lenche repeat throughout
*shadowed shading


From Sarah (Michigan) ~

I did an aura. Only one. My hands are messed up from falling off a longboard. That was my 4th of July. Picking asphalt gravel out of my palms.
So this ain't pretty, but I did it.
Take care!

Tangled Tidbits -
*great tangling despite the injury - ouch!
*aura-ed Kitl circle repeats in Lenche

From Rebecca I (Stamford, Connecticut) ~

Tangled Tidbits -
*deep curves of Lenche
*in- and outer- aura for Kitl



From Becky Welty (North Carolina) ~

Tangled Tidbits -
*spectacular Kitl variation in the string circle
*alternating rows of Lenche


From Jenny Hopkins (Australia) ~

Thanks for another fun challenge. Kitl is one of those simple tangles that can look so different depending on how it is used that it can be hard to recognise it as the same thing. It seemed to work nicely with Lenche, as one seemed to often want to lead to the other. My pins got a little carried away though. Some of them grew very long while another one escaped altogether and allowed a Kitl dragonfly to emerge. Lots of white space this week but that seems to be what it called for.
It was a great string, although I was tempted to present my tile upside down, since the "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer" are definitely not where I am!
Congratulations on O which looks very soothing, and congratulations to Catherine and Oswald. You certainly have beautiful children.

Tangled Tidbits -
*wonderful touch of a pinned down corner - (a similar touch by Marla in California below...)
*Kitl border worked into Lenche covered string line
*a Kitl busy bee :)
*stunning combination of Kitl and Lenche in the string's circle



From Aloyna Pakhomova (Toronto, Canada) ~

Two tiles this time - mine and my little son's.

Tangled Tidbits -
*long, lovely lines of Lenche
*stippled background for Kitl's multiple variations

Tangled Tidbits -
*a Kitl compass rose
*Lenche borders


From Matt W. (Princeton, New Jersey) ~

This week I've been enjoying the summer weather at the Jersey shore taking a much-needed vacation even if it is only just an hour from home. When I saw the two tangles and string for this week i was immediately reminded of the fences along the beaches of the Jersey shore. therefore, I decided to portray in the tile what that looks like. Needless to say my mind has been in beach mode this week and sad to say that reality sets in on Monday when i am back at work again.

Tangled Tidbits -
*soothing imagery of the shore
*large and small Kitl in the string's circle



From Marla Mendenhall (California) ~

...GREAT patterns, but I found myself leaning toward predictable placements, and I hate doing that. Which is why, I guess, once I considered the obvious for Tile #2 it demanded a colorful unexpected ZIA treatment. Wo-ho! The only thing more fun than tangling a tile is seeing what everyone else comes up with!

Tangled Tidbits -
*a pin to match Jenny's (above)
*three sparkles for the large black orbs - nice technique!
*circle of Kitl alternates large and small

One spectacular ZIA complete with a Lenche sun, Kitl waves, and even a fish!



From Susan Theron (Velddrif, South Africa) ~

It is funny how you look at a tangle and say "OK", but when you get to know it, you really like it and that is the way I feel about Lenche of Anita. I like Anita's tangling style.

Tangled Tidbits -
*sparkled details in Lenche
*Kitl border and circle
*soft shading


From Jonsey (Missouri) ~

Tangled Tidbits -
*Kitl clusters
*Lenche circle with great sparkle and shading



From Anita A Westin (Dalarna, Sweden), the creator of Lenche - what a treat! ~

I am right now in Östhammar on Swedish eastcoast, where I am having an exhibition in a small, cozy gallery. Busy but I just had to do the challenge this week since my Lenche was in it! I am so excited to see what is coming up! I love the string and Ketl too. Arukas also showed up! Thank's Adele for choosing my pattern!
Best summer greetings

 Tangled Tidbits -
*Lenche fills in the curved string line
*Lenche orbs repeat in the four corners of the border line
*various sizes of Kitl line the sting's circle


And now...
the tile for honors this week...
was sent in by...
Sharyn Penna (Massachusetts) ~

Loved the tangles and string ... Lenche brings back memories of many sewing projects and of the days when my sisters and I would repurpose the colorful glass topped common pins as earings for our dolls.
This tile reminds me of the beach ... Shells, waves, and pebbles.
Looking forward to playing with your new tangle tonight ... Hope to see it in an upcoming prompt! Cheers to the engaged couple!

Tangled Tidbits -
*Mooka like waves added to Lenche
*wonderful weighted lines, sparkle and shading for Kitl
*five fanned, perf tipped lines for each Lenche curve
...and pictured on the Tickled to Tangle frame Sharyn won in the IAST #150 drawing :)

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

Thank you to all of our participants this week.  We appreciate being able to learn from you and are inspired by your beautiful work.

Many thanks to the creative minds behind the tangles used with my string:

Lenche by Anita A Westin (Sweden)
and
Kitl by Jem Miller (United Kingdom) a.k.a Ragged Ray

Special thanks for your kind words about my newest tangle, O, and for the good wishes for our daughter's engagement.


Check back tomorrow afternoon for "It's a String Thing" #153!

O, O, O, a Tangling We Will Go!

A New Step Out...

A few weeks ago, my  Wednesday's Words of Wisdom featured a tile that I completed featuring circular shapes filled with lines.  The idea for the pattern came from something I saw on the front of a greeting card.

I've tangled it many times since, and it has happily grown into a pattern.  I'll explain more below, but first, here are the step outs ~

In a recent class, when I mentioned that our daughter Catherine was newly engaged, one of my students asked if I had a pattern named for my future son-in-law.  

Since I'd already been tossing the idea of these little O's around, it seemed only natural to develop it into a tangle and name it after Catherine's beloved, Oswald.  

Here is a picture of the happy couple ~

The future Mr. and Mrs. Perkins

A few notes about the step out:

*I consider this a tangle even though the first steps are done with a pencil.  If you think of the penciled orbs as string lines, then this fits the definition of a tangle :)

*The size of the circles and the thickness of each channel vary to add interest.

*Notice that the word "orb" is used.  

It is a good idea not to get caught up in trying to draw circles.  Yes, you will pencil in rounded shapes, but even when you add the detail lines, they will change a bit.  As with all tangling, the end result is very much the sum of all of its parts.  

*The initial pencil lines, true to string lines, blend into the shading and are not noticeable in the finished tile.

*There are examples of shading the outside and inside of each circle.  You can also shade both as I did in the Renaissance example above.

This same idea that I've used with circles can be applied to most any basic shape and work well - triangles, ovals, rectangles, hearts, etc.

Some additional variations to consider:  add sparkle, curve the lines, make the inside circles a bit off center.

I do hope you enjoy exploring the possibilities O provides.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel.

                                                                                                                       ~Author Unknown

My new Monday mug from my thoughtful daughter, Catherine,
 pictured on a woven coaster made by my friend, Carolyn Russell, CZT.

"It's a String Thing" #152

It's Tuesday, your good news day!

We are certainly in the midst of the "lazy, hazy, crazy, days of summer" here in Florida, and I love them.  They have a way of making us slow down a bit and that is always a welcome change.

This week's challenge consists of just two tangles (from long time contributors!) and this summer inspired string ~

IAST 152 by Adele Bruno, CZT

The patterns we will use are:

Lenche by Anita A Westin (Sweden)
Anita's inspiration for this tangle came from dress pins and the way they used to be packaged.

and

Kitl by Jem Miller (United Kingdom) a.k.a Ragged Ray
This lovely, loopy pattern is just plain fun to play with.

Let's celebrate summer and tangle!

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" #151 Tiles

Happy Fourth of July!

As we celebrate the gifts of freedom and democracy in our great nation today, the tiles from this week's challenge add to the festivities.  We used a double arced string and tangles that brought thoughts of fireworks.
Tiles and good wishes are still coming in for our Zensquicentennial and they are included below as well.

Let's take a look ~


The first tiles arrived from Ragged Ray (United Kingdom) ~

... I was so sad to miss your big String Thing birthday last week - so include a little belated Bijou best wishes from me!
And so to this week - I think my tile is a case of showing how many ways Floatfest can go wrong - but still a pleasure to do. And my coloured pearls look more like truffles - but that's fine too. Best wishes for your Independence Day celebrations - but at a time when my country (but not me!) voted to disconnect from the greater world, I'm pleased that Zentangle acts to bring us all closer together! Long may it continue.

Tangled Tidbits - 

*free floating Floatfest - how fun!
*beautiful shading

From Ilse Lukken (The Netherlands) and here on her blog ~

Floatfest is a challenge to me, but I liked doing it today. I even added some decorations ;-)

Tangled Tidbits -
*details added to the inside of Floatfest lines
*shading adds wonderful dimension


From Sarah (Michigan) ~

I always enjoy a Carole Ohl tangle! Admittedly Floatfest is something I only tried once before. But it wasn't bad at all. I kind of got the feeling to quit while I was ahead on this one. It had a great string set up, and tangles that fit so I stopped at the point I did and was happy.

Tangled Tidbits -
*Floatfest mirrored on the string line
*Afterglow addition


From Kathi G, CZT  ( New Jersey)

Here is my submission for this week's challenge. I recently attended Tangle U in Maine, and came home with lots of water-colored tiles. So, I decided to finally use one!

Tangled Tidbits -
*colors add a touch of sunshine
*Ahh sparkles


From Cheryl Stocks (Black Canyon City, Inferno, Arizona) ~

Belated anniversary greetings. It took me a while to do #150 as all I was seeing was the "150" and not the potential for the art of it. I twisted the string around and voila! Zen happiness. Colored with Spectrum Noir permanent pencils.
For this weeks challenge, I tried (again...and again...) the #heftyhack that Laura Harms proposed on her challenge blog a couple weeks ago. It took me a little bit to get something I liked, but there was a small reward. This tile used Prismacolor markers and kosher salt for the background which worked nicely to create little fireworks all on its own.
I'll have to try Floatfest and your string some other time; it looks like good, clean fun!

And a few days later, Cheryl did have fun with Floatfest ~

Tangled Tidbits -
*a f-ahh-bulous nod to the Fourth
*shadowed arcs of Floatfest



From Michele Wynne (California) and here on her blog ~

Fortunately I was able to get this weeks challenge done earlier than usual. I'll be heading out of town for some fun and sun for a nice looonnnng birthday weekend (4th of July baby). I had Fireworks! on the brain as I've been creating a set of ATC's for a swap so I let the challenge go in that direction...Have a happy and safe 4th.

Tangled Tidbits - 

*spectacular fireworks display of Ahh
*sparkled Floatfest arcs
Happy Birthday, Michele!

From Jean Beckstrom (Alabama) ~

I was on vacation when your wonderful Zensquicentennial challenge came. Oh how I wish I could have participated. I think the participants out-did themselves. All were so beautiful and well done. I enjoyed seeing each and every one. I know how excited you must have been receiving them. Congratulations! Many more to come!
I did my best on This weeks challenge, but it sure could be better. If time permits I might try a second one later this week. Floatfest was new to me, but I know versions of it will probably be used many times in the future. A lovely tangle challenge.

Tangled Tidbits -
*lovely looped arcs of Floatfest
*Ahh explosions - including an Afterglow Ahh



From Susan (United Kingdom) ~

Hi, In challenge 138 “Citrus” I really liked some steampunk style submissions. I have been waiting for an opportunity to have a go myself and this is the week! Good to have something to take my mind off political turmoil for an hour or so. Best wishes,

 Tangled Tidbits -
*wonderful melding of tangling and steampunk
*thick, folded arcs of Floatfest



From Tina Kirchhübel (Germany) and here on her blog ~

The first idea when I saw the new string was a rainbow and this is what I made. Then I tangled Floatfest that was new to me. I love this tangle because there are so many possibilities to draw it and it's always so elegant.
I drew Ahh as a sky full of stars and added Msst (for rain). Thank you, Adele for this great challenge.
Greetings from Germany

 Tangled Tidbits -
*star-like Ahh
*colorful rainbow for Floatfest's base


From smgg (Taiwan) and on her Istagram ~

Have a nice day!!!

Tangled Tidbits -
*shaded string arcs define spaces
*two variations of Floatfest



From Joanne Faherty (Bedfordshire, United Kingdom) ~

Here's my entry for the week, love all the variations you came up with for floatfest, love the look of the folded ribbon.

Tangled Tidbits -
*Ahh in Floatfest arcs
*shaded and elegant folds of Floatfest



From Aloyna Pakhomova (Toronto, Canada) ~

Some fireworks for Canada Day which is today (July 1). Just in time. :)

Tangled Tidbits -
*long legs of Ahh fill Floatfest
*soft shading throughout


And a few days later, Aloyna made it a family affair ~

Hope I am too late. At least here in Toronto it's still Saturday. :)
My son Vasiliy is taking your challenge again. And this time his little brother Dobromil was tangling with him. They both asked me to send their tiles.
Vasiliy's tile is marked VP, another tile is Dobromil's.

 Tangled Tidbits -
*Floatfest corners
*large center Ahh - and I spy two little cars :)

 Tangled Tidbits -
*bold black and white arcs of Floatfest
*light touch of Ahh


A very warm welcome to Virginia Biber (Pennsylvania) ~

Here's my first time submission, two results for string 151. I've been enjoying Zentangle for some time now, having been introduced to it by my friend, Linda Goncalves (lucky me!).
Thank you for all you do!

Tangled Tidbits -
*multilayered Floatfest
*festive Ahh


From Val Steele (Johannesburg, South Africa) ~

I've used Floatfest (which i will definitely use lots more), Ahh, ButtaCup and Beelight.
Happy Holiday weekend to you all from a chilly South Africa.

Tangled Tidbits -
*various sizes of Ahh - effervescent
*alternating light and dark spaces of Floatfest and beautiful shading throughout



From sra (India) ~

About: I really liked doing them. I wanted to blacken some loops in the first tile but I didn't want to take a chance and did a second tile for that, but I went all loopy on that and liked the shading so I didn't fill in the black there either! After a long time, I think my shading improved...

 Tangled Tidbits -
*Floatfest arcs repeat as a border
*Ahh in each Floatfest arc

*free floating legs of the upper rows of Floatfest
*stripes and soft shading



From Karen (The Creative Miss L, Canberra, Austalia) and here on her blog ~

Here’s my tile for this week. Done in a rush. Busy, busy week then catching an early plan tomorrow to Launceston and my couple of day working with Shelly Beauch.
A request for you: can you put all your step-outs in one place on your website? I find them very useful but can’t always find them.

Tangled Tidbits -
*lovely loose string of Floatfest
*light touch of Ahh
NOTE:  Thank your for asking, Karen.  All of my Tips for Tangling can be found under the label "Pattern Tutorials" (on the right hand side of my blog page.)



From Anja (East Frisia, Germany) and here on her blog ~

Dear Adele, thank you so much for the wonderful Challenge! I had a lot of fun! Floatfest was new to me. It is such a beautiful tangle!

Tangled Tidbits -
*perf rimmed Floatfest and string arc
*very pleasing mix of light and dark



From Karin (Germany) ~

this is my entry to no. 151.
My old tiles were used up so that I could try out a new sort of tiles with a new pattern
Very exciting and very relaxing at the same time!
Greetings from Germany!

Tangled Tidbits -
*aura-ed arcs
*shaded layers of Floatfest



From Ingrid (The Netherlands) ~

Here is my tile # 151.
It was my first try on Floatfest, but I liked it very much. Need to practice more to feel familiar with this tangle...
Have a blessed Fourth of July day, with lots of love,

 Tangled Tidbits -
*deep black perfs and delicately finished legs of Floatfest
*detailed shading



From Rebecca I (Stamford, Connecticut) ~

Floatfest was such a fun tangle to learn! And I really enjoyed seeing all of your great variations. Thanks, as always, for the fun challenge!

Tangled Tidbits -
*layers and layers of lovely Floatfest
*aura-ed arcs, layered with shading


From Hilary Gibbons (Southern, Spain) ~

Here are my string things #151. I'm not very good with the technical stuff so not happy with the photos but did not want to it to beat me :)
I took inspiration from the set of 4 you had done as I really loved the idea of melding them all together and my mind just kept thinking 'tiaras'! I do not have tiles so used my sketch pad. I hope this will be ok?

 Tangled Tidbits -
*spectacular variations of Floatfest
*varying details fill Floatfest lines
*center Ahh sparks outlying ones
Hilary sent these photos of her four beautiful individual tiles ~

From Sue Agnew (Arizona) ~

Here's #151 (sorry again to miss 150!).
I enjoyed experimenting with Floatfest. While I was practicing I could imagine how the arcs could make a continuous spiral if they were joined up a little differently, so that's what I played with. The idea was that one row would look like the other row's shadow, but then I couldn't decide which one should be the shadow. Since shadows are often longer than what they're shadowing, I picked the row with the longer loops. That also gave me room for some Ahhhs. Then on the second Ahhh I made the vertical line too long (Arrgh) so I had to pretend I meant to do it that way.
When I first started Zentangling I didn't like shading with pencil because it was too messy and smudgy, so I got brush tipped Pitt pens in several shades of cool grey. Then when I started doing Tickled to Tangle I could see times when using a pencil and stump achieves a better effect. In this case I used the Pitt pen for the large areas (the "shadow"), and then I used a pencil and stump in the Arrghs (I mean Ahhhs) because I wanted something more diffuse.
Happy 4th of July to you on Monday!

 Tangled Tidbits -
*a terrific blend of techniques, pen and marker, for shading
*very clever take on Floatfest


From Allison Durno (Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada) ~

So I ended up cheating a bit on my Floatfest. It was only after I finished drawing it and shading it that I went back to the step-out and realized the lines were supposed to bend right back down to the bottom of the curve. Still, I liked it the way I drew it, so I decided to leave it. I made this square a bit more minimal, with just a simple Ahh above and below the Floatfest because I have a tendency to make my squares very busy. I like this one a little more sparse. Enjoy your fireworks on Monday!

 Tangled Tidbits -
*multi-layered shading complete with sparkle
*two large and lovely Ahh



From Julie Bazuzi (Washington) and here on her blog ~

Ahh! always reminds me of fireworks, which is fitting for we here in the US about to celebrate our Independence Day. I thought I should stick with the theme and use a new technique I learned from Eni Oken CZT 24 called Glow on the Dark. Happy 4th to those who celebrate!

Tangled Tidbits -

*gorgeous, glowing colors
*multiple variations of Floatfest and Ahh pops in the foreground and background

From Jenny Hopkins (Australia) ~

I hope you have enjoyed the good wishes on your Zensquicentennial celebrations. You deserve as many accolades as the tangling community can send you. Well done and thank you!

 Here is my entry IAST 151. I am really struggling with the curves this week. I guess I need to practise.

Tangled Tidbits - 

*large and small arcs for Floatfest - and the curves are just right
*deep black spaces compliment the lighter ones

From Henrike Bratz (Germany) ~

I’ve been lacking the time to participate in your challenge for weeks, but I just read your post and instantly remembered your first floatfest-post from September 2013. It then inspired me to tangle the zendala, which you find attached.

Tangled Tidbits - 

*sensational zendala - a great example for all of us to use
*detail lines, perfs, shading, deep dark background - lovely!

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

Here comes my entry with Floatfest and Aah! My first time with floatfest and I found that the pattern is really a happy one.

Tangled Tidbits - 

*delightful dimension, sparkle, shading
*perf filled spaces and Ahh filled arcs of Floatfest

From Sharyn Penna (Massachusetts) ~

Your prize arrived Saturday ... I'm tickled pink! I love your frames and highly recommend them to all. They're smooth egg shell finish is such an even, rich, deep black and the magnets are stunning little nuggets. I've gifted two frames ... now I have one (along with your note and artwork) to cherish! Thank you sooo much! And the photos of Ella holding the name was absolutely precious.
My tile sits upon the frame. It was one of my favorite prompts of all time.
Many many thanks!
Cheers to a wicked (that means good :) happy Independence Day!

Congratulations again, Sharyn.  How fun that your frame arrived in time for this week's challenge!
Tangled Tidbits - 

*finely detailed Floatfest, each layer softly shaded
*Onomato lined string arcs
*Ahh tipped corners

And now...

the tile for honors this week...

was sent in by...

Jutta Gladnigg (Germany) ~

4th of July fireworks celebrating Miss Liberty

Tangled Tidbits -

*a very clever nod to Miss Liberty
*glowing Ahh fireworks
*delicate and multi-layered Floatfest
*dark arcs and stripes anchor Floatfest below Ahh
*detailed shading

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

Thank you to all of our participants this week.  We appreciate being able to learn from you and are inspired by your beautiful work.

Many thanks to the creative minds behind the tangles used with my string:

Maria Thomas  for Ahh and

Carole Ohl, CZT for Floatfest

Check back tomorrow afternoon for "It's a String Thing" #152!

Tips for Tangling Dew Drops on IZA

Yesterday, my featured tile sparked a request for a few tips on tangling dew drops.  Here is what I've drawn up ~

For even more instruction, Lynn Mead, CZT  has a wonderful tutorial on her blog, A Tanglers Mind.  Click here to view.  Lynn includes a detailed graphic of how to shade a dew drop.

Special thanks to Kim for her description of the "crisp thin line" for the top of dew drop - a product of Saturday's class.

Dew drops can be added to enhance most any tangle.  If you've been meaning to give them a try, I do hope this provides the nudge you need.

Enjoy!