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

Weekly Challenge #97: String Theory v. XX -"No Strings Attached"

This week's Diva challenge was a string challenge with a twist.  Instead of giving us a string to tangle with Laura challenged us to create a tangle using no strings at all.  Since I like to use more of the 'graphic' patterns this challenge actually turned out to be rather easy.  I almost feel like I cheated.  I am pleased with the outcomes though.

My first ZIA is in honor of my mother who passed away in 2004.  Her birthday was on Monday.  She loved to wear mittens and play with glitter so her nickname was Sparkle Mitten.

My next tangle is a little bit softer.  I used the new/old tangle Zinger since I missed last week's challenge.

Happy Tangling!

-Jennifer Gayle

Weekly Challenge #90- "String Theory XIII"

This week's challenge had us going back to basics.  One of the foundations of a Zentangle is the string. It is a guide line drawn within a tile that helps inspire the placement of the tangles in the design.  This week we were challenged to use this string as the foundation of our Zentangle:

You can find this string and others, as well as an explanation

on the importance of strings as TanglePatterns.com.

I found this week's challenge particularly challenging.  Like many others I have developed a habit of not using strings when I design my Zentangles.  Forcing myself to work within the confines of the string really made me stop and think about the tangles I wanted to use and how they interacted with the surrounding tangles.  I am not particularly thrilled with the outcome, but I believe the challenge has inspired me to start playing with strings and to push myself to go out of my comfort zone.

-Jennifer Gayle

Diva Challenge #84- String Theory v. XI: Blind-Sighted

This week's challenge was all about giving up control and leaving our design to fate.  Our Diva, Laura, challenged us to close our eyes, put pencil to paper, and draw our strings blind.  (For those of you not familiar with Zentangle, the string is a light pencil drawing that is the foundation of the Zentangle drawing.)  

I had every intention of photographing my string before I started drawing, but I was so excited when I figured out what I was going to do that I was halfway done before I realized I forgot.  If you look closely though you can see some of my pencil lines.  

I decided to make this a Monotangle.  I've been playing with some new Tangles lately and Diamonds and Squares is one of them.  My string seemed perfectly suited to some experimentation.

I hope everyone is having a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

-Jennifer Gayle

Spreading my Wings–Challenge #64

I was first introduced to Zentangle by a few of my Facebook friends last fall (2011) and instantly fell in love.  Both its resemblance to Escher's work, and its use as tool for meditation (which is something I have always struggled with) made this something I had to learn.  After the holidays I was finally able to take a class with one of our local CZTs Dawn Meisch and I have been tangling ever since.

I've been following the Diva's Weekly Challenge, amazed and impressed at the beautiful work that is done since I first discover Zentangle.  I keep hoping that one day there will be a challenge that I would be able to enter.  Needless to say I was delighted to see this week's string theory challenge.  My first thought was to do a tangle using the bold black and white patterns that I have been playing with recently, but when I saw Joni Feddersen's entry I was reminded of the image of a butterfly.  This is what resulted...

-Jennifer Gayle