Notebook cover

Terri Stegmiller shared her process for creating an inspiring cover that transforms an ordinary composition book HERE.  For a bit more info, I followed the link on her post, and am also enjoying the book she wrote with Sue Bleiweiss, Creative Ways with Books and Journals.  Combining bits and parts of the various instructions to suit myself, I had fun yesterday making this journal cover for my daughter.  Tonight is family pizza night and I can't wait to see the grin on my DD's face when I give her the journal ;-0    Not bad for an experimental prototype.....

For all you tanglers out there......

Don't know what kind of craft/hobby stores you have where you are, but my town has Michael's - a large chain that has a presence in many US states.   I had read recently that people are using the old plexiglass photo cubes for displaying their Zentangle© tiles.  Michael's has new ones for $2.99 and they are so perfect for the 3.5 x 3.5 tiles.

"Spaces" - Challenge # 10

This week's Zentangle© challenge from Laura is about spaces - leaving some room for air to circulate around our tangles.  A problem for some, but since I tend toward doing this anyway, it was hardly a fair test ;-0 !  (Maybe next week she'll insist we cover every little part of our tile and then I'm in trouble!!)  Seldom give a title to my tiles, but this week's came up looking like a windmill, which led my brain to hop to a memory of the old song about 'windmills in my mind' which led to a meditation lesson from a yoga instructor many years ago.  He always asked us to examine the spaces between our thoughts...... now think about it!!  So, here is "Windmill"

Please click for larger image....

Artoo - challenge # 9

Laura H. has issued a new challenge with a new tangle named in honor of her sweet Artoo.  Who could resist?  For some reason known only to the zt fairy, I was moved to use a long skinny tile, 1 1/2  x 8 1/2  inches - if you speak metric, you're on your own ;-0

Oops!  missing the end.... please click for larger (and complete) view

To all who commented on the altered book, many thanks - this is a whole new thing for me and doing vintage is a real challenge,  I can always use positive feedback, and also welcome constructive criticism while I learn ;-0

Tooting my own horn..... again ;-0

Have been playing some more with the original altered book I started, and realized that 'practice' wasn't bringing out the best in me.  When I saw these old-fashioned composition books with the squiggly B&W covers on sale for a buck a piece, I knew it was time to plunge in and do the real thing.  I've made this for a dear friend, but she won't know who she is from this blog until it arrives in her mailbox......

As luck would have it, at the same time, I found a public library book with a few ideas for altering these composition books (Beyond Scrapbooks by Barbara Bourassa, published in 2006 by Quarry Books).

I have been collecting a stash of vintage ephemera (some from Lenna's inspiring blog).

When it all was put together, the front of the notebook happened,this way - gessoed, stamped, collaged, buttoned, beribboned, tagged, and more -  altered beyond recognition, but still with some of the B&W squiggles peeking through because I like them!!  So I took this photo....

Please click for larger view

It's funny when you see something in a photo (particularly your own work) how it looks so different from the real thing.  There was something blah happening..... so I added a bit of distress ink around the edges and judiciously on the spine, and here's the final result.

Please click for larger view

The inside cover is also decorated a bit, as is the back cover (to hide unlovely barcodes and such...)

Happy Valentine's Day to All !!!

To followers and visitors alike...... I am so grateful to be part of this community.  Valentine's Day is an old holiday, commemorating Saint Valentine.  It has been celebrated in various ways throughout the centuries, but its focus on love, whether romantic, familial, or platonic, has only grown and continued to fill hearts everywhere.

Here's the "Valentangle" I've made for fellow bloggers, and friends and visitors to Blipfoto.

Please click for a closer view ;-0

Falling behind.....

First it was a grandchild with Chicken Pox who required some extra time with Nana, and then I picked up a nasty cold and have been feeling less than my usual chipper self.  No posts, no reading your blogs, and falling behind in reading and laundry..... haven't even been tangling!!!  Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I hope to be up and at my art table early to create a little heart-y something to share.....

Flame Vine

This time of year in Florida, a marvelous sight awaits visitors to older neighborhoods.  An old-fashioned creeper called Flame Vine (more info and photos here) brightens an otherwise drab winter landscape.

It is gray and misting rain today,  so thought I'd post a bit of color.  I'm home with a grandchild, who, despite getting the proper 'shots' when an infant, has developed a case of the Chicken Pox.  Hooray.....no school!!!  We're having fun, playing games, doing art, making cookies - QUALITY Nana Time!!

Zentangle # 8

This week's double challenge from Laura presents a real-life spiritual charge.  Her baby son has a variety of health issues and was recently hospitalized with breathing difficulties.  My tangle this week combines a previous challenge theme, 'simplicity' and last week's theme, 'breathe.'  How we take our life-giving breaths  for granted!  So, this is for Artoo and his family - a simple heart filled with loving prayers flowing through time and space.

Please click to enlarge further

Please click to enlarge further

Zentangle Challenge # 7

B R E A T H E ...... and then take a little risk..  This week's challenge from Laura encouraged me to breathe my way out of my comfort zone.  Since breathing is a circular activity, this is my first Zendala, and also the most complex tangle I've accomplished yet.

Please click for larger image

Artsy house

One of the features I like best about where I live is this colorful and exotic house.  Don't know who lives here now or who did all the art work, but it is a joy to see such exuberance!  The pillars and sidewalk are decorated with a diversity of glass and ceramic mosaics, with all manner of little faces peeking out here and there.  In addition the artist/s who created these wonders used found objects - seashells, small figurines, bits of stone and cuts of marble and granite, even broken dishes and marbles.  Some of the most colorful work is done simply with pinched off bits of rolled out clay, which was then glazed in a gorgeous range of colors and applied.   The walls and columns themselves are painted in luscious tropical shades of purple, turquoise, shocking pink and lime.  The house is pink with turquoise and lavender trim.