The Diva's Challenge for the Week: Duo Challenge v.IV Strircles and Hibred

I was very excited on Monday when I saw what this week's challenge was.  I love working with Strircles.  It's one of the big, bold patterns that can so easily be manipulated into an optical illusion.  I did have to look up Hibred since I had never used it before, but it was a simple pattern and I felt I would have no problem coming up with a design that would beautifully showcase the two patterns.

So far you may think the challenge sounds simple- all you have to do is use two patterns.  But that is the challenge- you can only use two patterns.  I spent the better part of the week creating a great Hibred tangle that wouldn't work with Strircles, creating a great Strircles tangle that wouldn't work with Hibred, or coming up with a master idea only to realize that it had an extra pattern or two.

In the end I sort of cheated.  The main tangle evolved from a sketch pad doodle.  This morning it suddenly developed some holes which revealed a patch of Hibred underneath.  Fascinating really.  :-)

-Jennifer Gayle

Amanda Day

This week began with Earth Day, which brings us to our challenge: create a Zentangle® or a Zentangle® inspired art piece to celebrate our planet.  Since Laura's son Chewie has decreed the the earth shall henceforth be known as Amanda, we are dedicating our tangles this week to Amanda Day.  I have created something simple, but I have enjoyed coloring outside the lines, so to speak.

-Jennifer Gayle

Laura's Auras

This week the Tangle Diva, Laura, challenged us to create auras around tangle patterns of our choice.  The challenge was to see how the shapes change and interact with other patterns as the auras expand.

Unfortunately for me the first thing I thought of when I saw the word aura was migraine.  I suffer from chronic migraines and occasionally experience auras.  I found Zentangle® pattern Wirly Bird and I think it perfectly illustrates auras.

For those of you who are visiting I am in need of some advice re: Micron pens.  I began using my pair of 01 and 08 pens in late February.  I had to replace my 01 two weeks ago and earlier this week I discovered that the nib on my 08 was broken.  What am I doing wrong?

I hope you enjoy my tangle.  Be sure to take time to visit the Diva's site to see everyone else's auras!

-Jennifer Gayle

My Name is Jennifer and I am Addicted to Pinterest

Yes, I admit it, I am hooked. I have been since the day I received my invitation. I set up my account and before long I was spending my nights pinning to boards like 'my dream tree house' and 'fabulous manicures'. That's the spell of Pinterest–even if I could convince my husband to build a house in a tree I'll never be a manicure type of girl.

Easter was last Sunday. I was proud of myself; after my Christmas card debauchal and procrastinating too long to send my Valentine cards I started to work on my Easter cards the week after Valentines. I was getting creative-using Peeps as stamps. I was even taking photos so I could share them online. But then I hit a snag. The cards needed a little something else. They weren't quite complete. So I turned to Pinterest...

Easter was last Sunday. Today I threw away the Peeps I was using for my stamps, put up the paper I'd bought, and cleaned up my supplies. If you're curious how the cards turned out you can follow my 'Dream Easter Card' board on Pinterest.

-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

It's Over!

So Work of Art is finally over.  I enjoyed the ending, but just like every other episode, I really wish we could have seen more of the art and more of the process.  Oh, well.  I must say that I was routing for Peregrine instead of Abdi, though they both did amazing work.

It seems as if there is another season in the works.  Hopefully they'll work out all the kinks and the second season will be everything we wanted the first to be.

That being said, we are on the verge of something new and exciting in the world of Mommy Moon.  The new website design is coming together and photos are being taken.  Keep an eye out because it won't be long!

-Jennifer Gayle

Grand Finale or Grand Finally?

Hopefully for the past few weeks you've been watching Work of Art with me.  Although I haven't been really inspired enough to write every week, I have been keeping up with the results (usually in the early mornings or late at night while Chris is in bed).

About halfway through we were introduced to the product plugging that Project Runway is so well known for.  Only this time instead of incorporating some kind of art supply we were asked to watch contestants observe an already well designed building and then design something even better about it.  And then came the team challenges.  These were not unexpected, and it was not unexpected to have to use the word cluster to describe them at times, but overall they achieved their purpose of eliminating contestants.  I do have to say, however, kudos to Jacqueline in the second team challenge.  It certainly takes a lot of guts to put a painting of you doing a 'certain intimate sexual act' on national television, especially when you were encouraged by a spoiled kid who just wanted to see if he could get you to do it.  I say Bravo!,  and as a piece of art quite stunning.

So, now we're at the final three.  As with PR, we are not at all surprised to see the young, spoiled artist with some marginal work in the finale.  Although I would have like to have seen an only 1-man finale, I do agree with their assessment of Abdi's growth as an artist (his final piece was stunning).  I will certainly miss Nicole, but I'm curious to see what Peregrine will show up with.

As for my work--I have finally gotten the opportunity to get some things shot.  How long they'll stay in the camera is another story, but at least they're on their way.

If I say nothing else today, I will give a simple morning tip.  Don't take your Prilosec, etc. with orange juice.  Not the wisest of choices.  Now, enjoy the day!