Hope

So this week's Diva Challenge #334 involved crazy 'nzeppel... before I knew that was the challenge I had done my IAST#212 tile which also included crazy 'nzeppel. 'nzeppel is one of my go to tangles you see... 

Y.A.F. paizel.'nzeppel

I was quite pleased with the little star that sneaked in that reminded me of the rubber band star. Whilst I was feeling quite good about the tile when I first completed it, those good feelings have since been overtaken.  

Hope is the word this week. 

Two days ago, whilst I was working in my office, a lady from a neighbouring office ran in, hurriedly asking if anyone knows CPR or if we know of a doctor in the vicinity. One of our neighbours, Mr P, who we are actually quite close to, had collapsed in his office. He had suffered from an acute stroke. Mr P's daughter (who actually worked with us for a while) was told to prepare for the worst. My heart goes out to her - she just lost her mother a few years back. Mr P is now  recovering in a local hospital and any prayers would be appreciated. 

Was quite ruffled over the incident Mr P is the same age as my Dad and is fit as a fiddle. The incident hit a little close to home. Did a quick fengle bookmark in a silver and gold gellyrolls to calm myself down... 

And when I saw this week's Diva Challenge #334 I just had to do something...

This was done with you in mind Mr P.

Get well soon. 

Cosy!

I didn't really quite get what Diva Challenge #333 was about but I hope I got it right!

The Oxford Dictionary website defines "cosy (US cozy)" as "giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation". And my immediate reaction is: isn't that every tangle and tile?!?

What do I think of when I think of the word "cosy"?

Snuggling sleepy dogs! These are my sister's two pups - both sausages. Two of the cuddliest things ever. Hence my inspired Diva Challenge #333 tile:

sandswirl.printemps

I tried to make him look "fluffly" with "messy" shading. Don't think it turned out quite right though. I kinda like it all the same. My sister thought it looked kinda cute (though that could have been purely because it was her pup after all!)

And since I'm on the topic of my sister, check out the awesome prezzie I got from my sister!

It took me 2 weeks to gather the courage to open the plastic! And now I'm all like "oh no! If I use them then they will never look the same!". 😍 My sister rocks. I know. When and where will I get the courage to actually use them! 😵

Another awesome gift I received recently is a laminator (and laminating foils)😀! [It's kinda sad that I'm this excited over office supplies isn't it... but ah well!] So of course I had to try it out right!

I cut up some Strathmore Bristol, wrote with some masking fluid (I just bought some and is the first time I'm using it!), added on a Tombow Dual Brush Pen watercolour wash, added Btl Joos/Striping with the trusty Sakura Micron, added highlights with my Sakura Gellyroll, added slight pencil shading and finally discreet random printemps with my new Zebra Super Marble pen. 

Why did I use so many different pens you may ask - to be honest I was paranoid and wanted to see whether the laminating process would destroy anything. Thankfully it didn't! Woohoo! Looks like bookmarks may be on the cards for Christmas this year! 

Loving my new gifts and the people who clearly love me!

IAST #211 and Diva Challenge #332

IAST #211 was a bit of a doozy. I didn't know where to start or what to do! I even tried googling fairy tale lettering for "inspiration" but nothing really appealed to me. 

So I went on a wing with a tangle that I have been meaning to try out but never got around to doing, Cudad! Which I found on CZT Sandy Steen Bartholomew's Tangle Cards, Totally Tangled Edition. 

When I was doing the tile I kept thinking about La Perla in Puerto Rico (I had the good fortune to visit Puerto Rico many years ago and OMG I miss the food there) which you can see in the Despacito video:

The cards were one of my first few purchases after I started zentangle. I read the reviews and a lot of people were complaining about the quality of the cards - but seriously for the price that you can get them on bookdepository.com they are a relative steal! So many beautiful and unique tangles (that I understand to have been CZT Sandy's own tangles)! With clear step by step instructions! And not to mention a few of what I would call "tips and tricks" cards (like how to shade etc). 

I bought all three editions of the Tangle Cards: Totally Tangled Edition, Kids Edition (if you look really close you can spot a Pingline penguin in the tile which I got from the the Kids Edition Tangle Cards... I wasn't able to add as much detail as I would have liked due to the size but hey! He's there!), and Original Edition. I've currently stored them in trading card folders but as and when needed I take out what I need and slip them into my sketchbook or whatever I happen to be carrying - save on me having to risk exceeding my mobile data limit fewor the month! 

But for the sake of any would be purchasers... how does it compare to the Tangle Deck? 

Well the Tangle Decks are relatively more expensive and are admittedly printed on better quality paper. I find that the Tangle Decks capture many more Zentangle HQ and more "traditional" looking tangles. 

CZT Sandy's Tangle Cards however are a bit more "out of the box", sharing many unique original tangles, more so that the Zentangle HQ tangles. Many of her tangles appeal to me for being a bit more "cartoony". The paper quality may not be great but it doesn't detract from the actual content of the cards. If you're up for something a bit more "cartoony" or a bit more whimsical, you might enjoy the Tangle Cards as well. 

Just don't make me choose between the two!

I also did my Diva Challenge #332 tile with my Tangle Cards!

(I love zentangling in a comfy cafe)

mooka.ramy.mumsy.hollibough.gust.dyon.printemps.abacus.besochic.pingline.

I did mostly with tangles from the Tangle Cards. Quite different from my other tiles I think, but I like it! 

Sunig 2017

In my spare time, I play a little bit of pool. I took up the sport relatively late in life and aren't very good... to make up for it, I do try to show support for the younger players who train under the same coach. 

Am pleased to inform that the two schools that my coach swept both champion and 1st runner-up places in annual inter-school tournament over the weekend. Congratulations guys! 

To commemorate the occasion... 

cruffle - another new tangle tried!

WELL DONE GUYS🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉! Woohoo!

[as a side thought... does this count as visual journaling? hmmmm....]