The Diva's Weekly Challenge #118: "UMT v. XVI - Kuke"

This week's challenge was another in the monthly "Use My Tangle" series.  This week our Diva featured Katy Abbott's first tangle, Kuke.  I was in the need of a little inspiration, so I decided to use one of Linda Farmer's tangle strings (#51).  It turned out very simply, but I like it.

Happy Tangling!

-Jennifer Gayle

Weekly Diva Challenge #117–Schway

Welcome back to the Diva Challenge.  As part of my return to balance I decided to take up the Diva Challenge once again.  This week featured the new official Zentangle pattern schway.  It's a very simple pattern with a great tessellation feel.  I've had some challenges using schway with other patterns, but I did a large monotangle that looked quite nice.  To spice it up I added some color using watercolor pencils.  I think it turned out pretty good and the ombre paint job gives it an interesting stripe effect.

 Before

After

I got the idea for some creative angles from fellow Tanglers.

Have fun with schway.

-Jennifer Gayle

If You Can't Duck It...

I have always loved duct tape.  There's just something mystical about it.  I was thrilled when Duck Tape® came out with patterned tapes a number of years ago.  I have a small collection.  I've done a few small projects with it.

Yesterday was Chris's birthday.  Since we're on a tight budget I decided to make him a little something special, instead of buying him a gift.  I have been holding on to my UNC duct tape for nearly two years trying to think of something to make for him.  Last week when he asked me to put his iPad Mini in my purse it hit me–a duct tape case for his iPad.  Since I already had all of the supplies on hand the only cost would be my time.

Taking advantage of the fact that I got up several hours earlier than Chris, I set to work yesterday morning on his case.  It was really a simple project.  It took me about an hour, and a large part of which was being really careful to line up the UNC tape.  The software needed was the tape, bubble wrap, and some self-adhering velcro.  The only hardware I used was a pair of scissors.

After measuring out the bubble wrap, leaving a little extra on the edges to allow for the depth, I began to cover it with strips of tape.  I left a good amount of tape hanging off the edges to make sure I didn't cut a piece to short.  While the tape is fresh it's fairly easy to pull it off of another piece, but it can tear the bubble wrap if you try to reposition it.  After covering the first side, I trimmed the edges then flipped it over.  On this side I left about an inch (since the tape is 2" wide) hanging off the bottom, which I folded over to the first side in order to hide the edge.  I did the same thing when I got to the top.

After both sides were covered, I grabbed the iPad to make sure that I folded the cover in the right place.  I used a small piece of the scrap tape that I had cut off earlier to hold it in place while I added the binding.  Again I lined up about 1" of tape along the side, then folded it over.  After doing that for both sides I removed my scrap piece of tape, and trimmed the edges. To make sure that the flap lined up like I wanted it, I put the iPad into the pocket before adding the velcro.  Once the adhesive on the velcro set, it was ready.

I lined the inside with plain white tape since it wouldn't be seen.

Chris was very excited about his case.  Now he'll carry his iPad with pride when we go out.

-Jennifer Gayle

Taking Time for Creativity

This January I undertook a new challenge in my life- graduate school.  I am working on a masters degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Gratz College.  It is something that I have wanted to do for many years.  I knew going into this that there would be a lot of work, but I really had no idea how much.  I was completely overwhelmed.  As a result I spent all of my time reading and working and I closed off all of my creative outlets.  I stopped Zentangling.  I stopped card making.  I stopped everything.  And, lo and behold, I got burned out.

As I started to burn out I noticed my neglected sketch pad on the coffee table.  I picked it up and started to doodle.  Then I started doodling some more.  And I started to find myself relaxing.  I know that is one of the key purposes of Zentangle, but until I experienced it for myself I didn't really believe it.

I am now taking breaks from my reading to Zentangle whenever I start to feel overwhelmed.  As the final week of the semester looms, along with two research papers, I'm sure I will be Zentangling a lot.  The most important thing I have learned out of all of this is that, no matter what, you have to take time for creativity.

-Jennifer Gayle

Happy New Year!

Today is the first day of the 2013, but did you realize is that it is also the eighth day of Christmas?  While I don't have eight maids a milkin' I do have a gift for my true love.

Last year I started the tradition of giving my hubby something special for each of the twelve days of Christmas.  This year I decided to make it extra personal.  Using the letters in his name, I chose twelve words that described my husband.  I filled out cards dictionary style, providing the definition and using each word in a sentence that described him.  On the other side I numbered each one.  Then I placed the cards in envelopes and placed them under the Christmas tree.  Not only does he get to open a personalized card every day, but once they are bound together with rings my husband will have something to look at throughout the year to remind him how special he is to me.

-Jennifer Gayle

Doing the Diva Dance

This week's challenge marks the great milestone of the 100th Diva Challenge.  To celebrate Zentangle co-founders Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts created three new tangles–Waltz, Foxtrot and Rock-n-Roll–that make up the Diva Dance.  To celebrate I have created a tile using the Waltz and Foxtrot.

Happy 100th, Laura!

-Jennifer Gayle

Weekly Challenge #99: Guest Post - String Challenge v. XI "Looped Border String Challenge"

This week we had a guest host for our Diva's Challenge.  Artist Margaret Bremner challenged us to use a looped border, which creatively makes its own string (see an example here).

This is my first Tangle.  I rather like how the string created 'keyholes' within the design.

This is my second Tangle.  I think the white on black worked very well, though I wish that my pen gave more even coverage.

I also wanted to share the Tangle I did for last week's Keenees challenge.  I continue to struggle with my migraines so I was unable to post it last week.  It reminds me of those tests the eye doctor uses to determine if you have color blindness.  But rest assured it is supposed to be black and white.  ;-)

I would like to take a moment to share some information on chronic Migraine.  Approximately 37 million Americans suffer from Migraines.  It is estimated that around 2 million of those have chronic Migraines (having Migraines or tension-type headaches more than 15 days per month–migraine.com).  If you suffer from chronic Migraine it is important to see a headache specialist.  Many new treatments have been developed over the past few years and you may be able to find one that makes your chronic migraines manageable.  You can visit KnowChronicMigraine.com for more information and to find a headache specialist near you.

-Jennifer Gayle