Mastiff Puppy with Creative Paperclay®

For Christmas I made my husband a Mastiff Puppy with Creative Paperclay®.  Check out my tutorial at the Creative Paperclay® blog.

Happy New Year

I'll be popping in a few places, here and there,  but probably won't post again until New Year's day, so...

Happy New Year, everyone!

Link: Free Art Giveaway from Revelle Taillon

Revelle Taillon is giving away a free 8 x 10 giclee (or ATC or card, if preferred) of her colored pencil work.

Link: Woody Guthrie's New Year's Resolutions from 1942

Decided on your New Year's resolutions yet?  You might want to check out the Journal Addict and see what Woody Guthrie came up with.  Interesting mix of practical and philosophical, there's sure to be something you'll want to add to your own list!

Link: Peace...Love...and Naked Men with Creative Paperclay® and Viva Las Vegastamps

Susan M. Brown has posted a tutorial showing how she made a card using Creative Paperclay® and Viva Las Vega stamps.

Link to tangle pattern Atorm

Mafê Mavromati has posted steps to her tangle pattern Atorm.

While you are at her site, check out the information on her new ebook!

My new tangle patterns Geer #5, Background #4 and Waffles

I hadn't intended for this drawing to have tangle patterns steps.  It was just going to be a ZIA in my new handmade journal.  But these new patterns kept happening, so I decided to go ahead and draw the steps since the next few days will be busy for everyone, and I may not post until after the holiday.

So enjoy these patterns and Happy New Year!

Link to patterns Spearl and Kurlllz

Paint Chip, aka Cindy Angiel, has posted a video and worksheets for her pattern Spearl and Kurlllz.

Link: Zentangle Inspired Art Journal Project (2012)

CZT Patty Farrell is challenging people to create a  Zentangle Inspired Art Journal.  She'll be posting a weekly challenge for the participants.

February 1st--my first blog hop!

On February 1st, I'll be part of a blog hop with my Creative Paperclay® design team members, as well as the members from the Amazing Mold Putty team.  There will be blog candy given away and fantastic projects.  I'm so excited.

Link: Mixed Media Pieces using Creative Paperclay® and Viva Las Vegas Stamps

Barbara has posted a tutorial showing how to create mixed media embellishments with Creative Paperclay® and Viva Las Vegas Stamps.

Link to tangle pattern Sproink

Scrapacat, aka Kyra Sanders, has posted steps to her tangle pattern Sproink.

Links to tangle patterns Cupcakez, Gee Wiz, Gigwirl, Jack's Stack, Picketed, Rampart

texasdoxiemama, aka Linda Rea, has posted the steps to her tangle patterns:


Cupcakez
Gee Wiz 
Gigwirl 
Jack's Stack
Picketed
Rampart

Link: Free Line Art Download – #Copic4K

Free downloadable line art by  Kaoppe, a Japanese Manga artist, at the Copic Marker blog.

Link: Tangle Refresher 15 at Tanglepatterns.com

Trying to remember what patterns were popular this time last year?

Linda Farmer has posted Tangle Refresher 15 at Tanglepatterns.com

Link: Download FREE Vintage Ephemera!

Stampington & Company have free ephemera downloads available.

Noodler's Black Swan in Australian Roses-The Search for the Perfect Stroke

I've been drooling over Noodler's Black Swan in Australian Roses ink for a while now.  I didn't have a fountain pen, so it seemed a fruitless desire.  But then I was given a fountain pen for Christmas, and then a gift card which I used to purchase a Noodler's Flex pen.  At last! I could satisfy my desire, and I ordered a bottle of the ink without delay.

According to descriptions, if your pen nib is wet enough and broad enough, you can get a stroke where the darker ink--the Black Swan--runs down the middle and the light ink--the Roses--blossom on either side.  I was eager to see this perfect stroke, this poetic shading of ink.

I started by writing in one of the handmade journals I received for Christmas.  I love the color of the ink, but I never got the black swan with roses on each side. 

I decided to try drawing.

You know me--I have to include a tangle pattern in these tests (not sure what tangle patterns or zentangle are? Check out my What is a zentangle page.)

This was done in a Rhodia dotPad.  The handmade journal (very thick, almost bristol like paper) and the dotPad did the best, with little to no shading, and no bleed-through.

I tried the Rhodia 'R' Pad next.

I had no feathering with any of my trials, but I got a crisper look on the 'R' pad, though it may just be the ivory color made it seem that way.

I did get more of the black swan on this paper, but still mostly at the end of the stroke, not the black middle with roses on the side.  My flex pen was set up to be wet, but I still couldn't get that perfect Black Swan in the middle of the stroke, with Australian Roses on either side.

I know the paper makes a difference so I decided to carry on.



The Black Swan ink can vary in color, according to light and paper and other factors.  In real life, I got more of a burgundy than it seems in the scan.  I was curious to see how it looked on a darker color paper.  I love the orange of my Daycraft Cookie Bookie notebook, and my Cookie Bookie cat was more than happy to play around with the Black Swan!

Orange and Burgundy might not sound like a good combination, but I like it.  The cat seemed happy with it as well, lol!

I decided to try out my Whitelines notebook, and see how the gray and burgundy did.

Now, I did this test late on Christmas Day.  There may have been wine involved, and not just the burgundy on the page, lol!

Even though I quit for the night and went to bed, I took up my search for perfect Black Swan stroke, the next day.

I decided to do a little more writing, and chose Oprah's LifeClass Journal.  I still didn't get my perfect stroke.

I decided it was time to try a different pen.  Really different.  I have piston-fill water brush, and I filled it with the ink.  I do love the orange and burgundy, so picked up my Daycraft Cookie Bookie again.

*sigh*  There was even less evidence of the Black Swan.  No matter.  It's a beautiful ink, and I love the way it shades from light Burgundy to near black.

 But one day, I want to get the perfect stroke.  You know what that means. ...I have to buy more pens!!!!!

Link: Another Card with Creative PaperClay® and Viva Las Vegas stamps

DeeDee has posted a tutorial showing how to create a vintage look card with  Creative PaperClay® and Viva Las Vegas stamps.

Link: Scoop-it paper with links to Art Journaling related articles

Modern Journaling: Review by Mari L. McCarthy of Create Write Now  

Link to pattern Zikles

Paintchip, aka Cindy Angiel, has posted steps to her pattern Zikles.

Erupting Gases done in Kuretake No. 8 Fountain Hair Pen and Waterbrush

Zentangle®-inspired art  done with Kuretake No. 8 Fountain Hair Pen and Waterbrush in the handmade journal I received for Christmas.

Link: Free Collage Demo from Nita Leland

Nita Leland has a free downloadable PDF of a collage project from her book New Creative Collage Techniques.

Link: Limited Edition Moleskine Pocket Daily Planners Giveaway

Didn't get a planner as a holiday gift?  The European Paper Company is giving away two of them!

Link: Delightful Eggs with Viva Las Vegastamps and Delight™ Air Dry Modeling Compound

Beadz has posted a tutorial showing how to make a beautiful card using Delight™ Air Dry Modeling Compound  and Viva Las Vegas stamps.

Link: Free Downloadable January Calendar

BlackPumpkin has announced the winners of her downloadable calendar giveaway.   She is also offering a freebie-the month of January from her doodle calendar can be downloaded free.

Link to patterns Nurkley and Tri-ledge

Paintchip, aka Cindy Angiel, has posted video and work sheets for her patterns Nurkley and Tri-ledge.

Steampunk Warehouse

I used five Viva Las Vegas Stamps, and then colored with Letraset Promarkers.  Tangling was done with Micron Pigmas and Promarker (using UltraFine tips).  Done on Bristol paper.  I'm thinking about adding to this with Creative Paperclay® embellishments made from molds of washers and screws and such.

Link to patterns Quanxi, Zivts, and Xerexez

Paint Chip,aka Cindy Angiel has posted video and worksheet for her three new patterns Quanxi, Zivts, and Xerexez.

Link to tangle patterns Murphy, Picot, Propel, Taylor, Taymur and TM Tyle

texasdoxiemama, aka Linda Rea, has posted the steps to her tangle patterns:

Murphy
Picot
Propel
Taylor
Taymur
TM Tyle

Link to pattern Blinkles

Cindy Angiel has posted a video and worksheet for her new pattern Blinkles.

Two New Patterns in the Steampunk Series--Background #1 & #2

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

One of the hallmarks of Steampunk design is 'busy'.  Design overlaps design, and there's almost more detail than the eye can make out.  I decided I needed to come up with some designs that could fade into the background while still being busy, but could also be adjusted to be part of the decoration.

There have been several variations of Background #1 posted, so I'm calling it a tangleation of the official tangle Florz, even though it goes quite a bit beyond that.  I don't recall seeing Background #2, but it's a simple idea so someone has probably thought of it, too, lol!

Letraset Promarkers, Micron Pigma, Kuretake No. 8 Fountain Hair Pen done up in a Rhodia dotPad.

I was playing with my new fountain pens for this second pattern--a Lamy Safari and a Noodler's Flex pen.  The inks are Black Swan in Australian Roses and Twilight. Done up in a Rhodia dotPad.

Geneviève Crabe's Weekly Roundup 12/23/2011

Geneviève Crabe's Weekly Roundup of zentangle patterns and articles of interest.

Link: Christmas Collage Using Viva Las Vegas Stamps and Creative Paperclay®

Amanda Marks has posted a tutorial showing how you can make a beautiful Christmas Collage Using Viva Las Vegas Stamps and Creative Paperclay®.

My tangle pattern Klok #2-steampunk series

Letraset Promarker, Kuretake No. 8 Fountain Hair Pen, Micron Pigma .005, Pentel white Sunburst Gel Pen

in a Rhodia dotPad.

Link to patterns Crosover and Gridlock

Paint Chip, aka Cindy Angiel, has posted steps to her patterns Crosover and Gridlock.

Link to tangle patterns Lite'N, Kogs, Belled, Aster, Mint Swirl, Bamba

Texasdoxiemama, aka Linda Rea, has posted steps to her tangle patterns:


Lite'N
Kogs
Belled
Aster
Mint Swirl
Bamba

Working in a Coal Mine-a Mead Day Runner art journal page

A two page spread in my Mead Day Runner.  I didn't gesso these pages, just colored them with Letraset Promarkers, so the dark brown lines are part of the journal pages.

The tangling has been done over the past couple of months using various pens.  This is the planner I carry in my purse, so I only tangle in it when I'm out and about, and happen to be waiting for some reason.

Link: BlackPumpkin's giveaway- 2012 Doodle Calendars still going

There's still time until Monday, Dec. 26th to comment for a chance to win one of BlackPumpkin's 2012 Doodle Calendars!

Link: Introduction to Art Journaling

There is a series of posts at 'The Craft Barn' showing how to do some Art Journaling pages.  I especially like day 3.

Once you get to The Craft Barn scroll down to the Blog Archive on the left to find the links to the other Art Journaling posts.

Link: Christmas Ornament with Creative Paperclay® and Viva Las Vegastamps.

Lyneen Jesse shows how to create a beautiful ornament using Creative Paperclay® and Viva Las Vegastamps.

Link to tangle patterns Jailed Johnny and Pop-pop

CZT Sadelle Wiltshire has posted the steps to her tangle patterns Jailed Johnny and Pop-pop.

Link: Free Downloadable Paper Toy from Moleskine

Moleskine is the Paper Caper paper toy, an Origami style foldable template with choices of colors and layouts.  Cool!

Link: Creative Paperclay® Christmas Tree with Viva Las Vegastamps!

Lyneen Jesse has posted a tutorial showing how to make a Christmas Tree with Creative Paperclay® and Viva Las Vegastamps.

Links to tangle patterns Fleuri,Rondelles,Ballons,Wartz,Medaillion

CZT Geneviève Crabe has posted steps to five new tangle patterns:

Fleuri
Rondelles
Ballons
Wartz
Medaillion

New Tangle Pattern Klok #One-Steampunk Series

Decided to throw a clock or two into the works!

Link: Free downloadable Steampunk Magazine

While looking for inspiration for Steampunk inspired tangle patterns I ran across Steampunk Magazine.  It is sold as a print magazine, but also offered as a free downloadable PDF.

Go ye hence all ye steampunk fanatics, and absorb the steampunk that is there.

Link: Salt Dough Ornaments

Need last minute stocking stuffers?  Do you need a few more ornaments?  HomeMade Simple has posted the recipe and some ideas for Salt Dough Ornaments.  You probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen, and they are quick and easy to make.

Lucid Dreaming: Zentangle-inspired art

When you are sleeping and become aware that you are dreaming, you have entered a state of Lucid Dreaming.  Sometimes while tangling when I'm very tired, it almost feels feels as though I've entered that state.

Kuretake No. 8 Fountain Hair Pen in a handmade journal.

Link to tangle pattern Garl

CZT Sue Jacobs has posted steps to her tangle pattern Garl.

Links to tangle patterns Shuriken and Hue

Lizzie Mayne has posted the steps to her new tangle patterns Shuriken  and Hue (Prounounced Hway).

Link to tangle pattern Snookums

The steps to BJ Thompson's new tangle pattern Snookums has been posted at Tanglepatterns.com

Link to tangle pattern Jelly Roll

Suzanne McNeil has posted the steps to her tangle pattern Jelly Roll as well as a link to a Cindy Shepard video that shows how to make a Stash & Smash - Junk Journal from a paper bag and window envelopes.

Link: Ornament Card with Creative Paperclay®

Edie Cournoyer has posted a tutorial showing how to make a cool Santa Claus ornament using Creative Paperclay®

Link to pattern Fairy Wings

Cindy Angiel has posted a video and pattern worksheet for her new pattern Fairy Wings.

New Tangle Pattern Geer #Four-Steampunk Series

A trick that can help you decide the size of your circles and how many will fit into a space, is to use your fingertip as a rough measure. (Use your thumb, if your fingers are really small, or your little finger if they are really big).  

Put your fingertip flat on the page and make a light mark with a pencil on either side.  The pencil marks will be your guide to determine the size of each circle.  Continue across the space marking the width of your fingertip, making sure to leave room for the (X)'s between the circles.  You might even want to make the X's.

Link: Yet Another Web Dictionary-Yawiktionary

Those of you who follow my blog know that I love words, the more obscure, the better.  I use the Phrontistery to find names for many of my tangle patterns.

Today I discovered the Yawiktionary (Yet Another Web Diktionary).  It gets right to the nitty-gritty, having almost nothing in the way of a home page.  You are presented with an A thru Z set of links. When you click on a letter, you get a list of words starting with that character--all pretty standard for a web dictionary.

But the list of words includes some unusual ones.  You are given Braille and sign language translations and some words have a sound pronunciation (it doesn't work for all of them.

With words like zamietess and gangurru to lure me in, I know I'll be visiting this dictionary often!

New tangle patterns 'Geer No. Two' and 'Geer No. Three' - Steampunk Series

I would have sworn that I posted Geer #Two a few days ago, but I can't find it.  Forgive me, if I'm just missing the post and everyone has already seen it.  If you have, just skip down to Geer #Three.  These are both patterns in a series based loosely (very loosely) on gears, such as you might see in the Steampunk genre.  

Please don't try to figure out how these might work in real life.  I'm sure they wouldn't, lol!

These patterns were drawn in Geneviève Crabe's zentangle organizer Layout #1.  If you are interested in ordering one, you can find them at her blog.  Organizer Order Page.  Journal 2012 Order Page.

Steampunk Critturs that Fly with Viva Las Vegas Stamps and Whitelines Notebook

The white lines on gray in my Whitelines notebook continue to intrigue me.  The paper doesn't really have tooth, but feels slightly gritty to the touch, so I wonder how it would do for stamping and with colored pencil.  I also wondered how noticeable the lines would be.

I used more stamps from the Viva Las Vegas Steampunk Plate-o-rubber 1272 , and Derwent Metallic Colored Pencils .  

The Whitelines paper performed better than I expected.  The stamps were clear and I was able to put down several layers of color with the pencils.   My scanner has trouble picking up colored pencil for some reason, so the actual drawing is darker, but the color is true.  

I didn't feel that the gray tint of the paper changed the colors.  If I look, specifically for the white lines, I can see them, but otherwise, I don't even notice them.  

Link: Tangling on fabric

CZT Linda Farmer has posted an article about tangling on fabric at TanglePatterns.com.

Link to tangle pattern Not-A-Knot

CZT Joyce Block has posted steps to her tangle pattern Not-A-Knot.

Link: Geneviève Crabe's Weekly Roundup 12/16/11

Geneviève Crabe's Weekly Roundup #42 of zentangle patterns and articles of interest.

Link to tangle pattern Wirly Bird

The steps to Cathy Clifford's tangle pattern Wirly Bird have been posted at Tanglepatterns.com.

Link: Giveaway for a chance to win Digital Doodle Calendars

Blackpumpkin is giving away three digital versions of her doodle calendars.

Link: Doodling in Math Class

Alright, all you tanglers!  Get thee hence to the European Paper Company blog!  There's lots of interesting stuff in today's post, but if you haven't watched the Doodling in Math Class video yet...well, it should be required watching for tanglers, even if it uses the dreaded word 'doodle'.

You learn a little about math, but immense amounts about techniques to use in your tangles! Plus, it's amusing!

More zentangle with Kuretake

I did another page in my handmade journal with the Kuretake No. 8 Fountain Hair brush pen.  After drawing the tangles, I use a waterbrush to create washes.  The ink gets a little dark in places, so I use the wadded tip of a paper towel to dab up excess ink. I was able to get a lot more variety in my washes with this piece.

My first attempts at Library Hand

The European Paper Company Blog post a tutorial: Learn how to write using 'Library Hand', a style of writing for legibility. 


I decided to give it a try.  It's almost a refresher for me.  Wa-a-a--ay back when I was a sprout in 6th grade, I was taught a style of cursive.  It wasn't called Library Hand, but it was essentially the same thing.  My personal style drifted into something somewhere between Cursive and Print, and now when I try to do one or the other, I keep halting on certain letters, not sure which way to go.  The story of my life, lol!

I'm going to keep at it. I used to have very good handwriting.  It still isn't bad, but doesn't have the flow it used too.  I'd like to get it back!

If you decide to give it a try, be sure to email Lea with samples by 12/22.  Just follow the link above to get her email address.

Link: Making a Snowman with Creative Paperclay®

Dennis Haynes has posted a tutorial showing how to make a snowman with Creative Paperclay®.

Link to tangle pattern Flamez

Julie O'Kami has posted steps to her first tangle pattern Flamez.

Link: Skull-A-Day 4.0 - Tutorial - #27: Skullflake (Snowflake Skull)

Craft Lady Abby has a tutorial showing how to cut out a snowflake with skulls (she has many tutorials showing how to make skulls in leaves and tins, and so many things!).

Link to tangle pattern OMG

Lizzie Mayne has posted the steps to her new pattern OMG.

Link: Penmanship & Calligraphy: Library Hand + Call for Submissions

Think you've got sloppy handwriting? Check out this post at the European Paper Company Blog to learn how to write using 'Library Hand', a style of writing for legibility.  I think I'll give it shot, myself!

Link: Weekly Challenge No 52 "Give"

Laura Harms' delayed this week's challenge because of illness in her family.  Everyone is feeling a little better, so she's started it up today, and it will run until January 9th, so she can enjoy the Holiday.

Weekly Challenge No 52 "Give"

Link: Steampunk Christmas with Viva Las Vegas Stamps & Creative Paperclay®

Tamara Dozier has posted a tutorial showing how to make a Steampunk Christmas Tree with Viva Las Vegas Stamps and Creative Paperclay®.

Review of the Kuretake No. 8 Fountain Hair Brush Pen

I love brush pens, and recently I purchased a Kuretake No. 8 Fountain Hair Brush Pen.  A friend gave me a beautiful handmade journal.  I'm not sure what the paper is other than thick like watercolor paper, but softer with less tooth.  It's probably handmade, and the moment I touched it, I knew it was made for the Kuretake.

I have mixed feelings about Kuretake's No. 8 Fountain Hair Brush pen.  It draws a beautiful line, and with the slightest of pressure you can vary the width.  The ink is not water-proof, a possible disaster for the klutz that is me, but it also means I can do some nice washes.  My real problem is with the length.  It's the longest pen I've ever had, especially if you cap the pen.   I don't, because it is so uncomfortable in my small hand, and I worry that I'll lose the cap.

Still.  You can do such beautiful things with this pen.  In many ways, it is more like a brush, and I've been experimenting with holding it in different ways, just as I would a brush. I suspect that with time, I will figure out how to use it comfortably.

The pen uses ink cartridges, which I like because they don't create a mess, but which I will have to purchase online.

The proof is in the pudding, they say.  I did two drawings in my new journal and I love them.  So my feelings about the Kuretake No. 8 Fountain Hair Brush Pen are mixed, but the love comes out on top.

After drawing the tangles, I went over the lines with a waterbrush to create washes with the ink.

Here I used Lyra Rembrandt color pencils to color in after I tangled.  The Kuretake works well with the pencils.  If you color over the ink, it takes on a tint of color while remaining dark, so you can play with the values.

New Tangle Pattern Geer #One

I like Steampunk.  All the gears and intricate designs attract me--sort of the same thing that draws me to zentangle, lol.  I'm not sure why it didn't occur to me before, but I've decided to try and come up with some tangle patterns that are based on gears.  Whether you like Steampunk or not, these tangles should add a little spice and mystery to your zentangles.

Use dots to indicate where the lines around the circles will stop and start if you need to.  I usually draw the top and bottom lines first, then the lines at the top sides, and lastly the bottom sides.  When drawing step 4, the lines should stop and start around the middle of the 5-sided spaces, but don't forget to leave the gaps!

This pattern was drawn in one Geneviève Crabe's zentangle organizers.  If you are interested in ordering one, you can find them at her blog.  Organizer Order Page.  Journal 2012 Order Page.

Link: Blog Anniversary 2-Giveaways of Scrapping Products

Michelle H. is giving away scrapping products: Glimmer Mist, Echo Park, AC Stamp Markers & More!!

Bleedthrumanade with Eels and Bedrock & Review of Whitelines Notebook

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about the free paper samples (temporarily not available) I received from Bureau Direct.  One of those papers was from a Whitelines Notebook. I was intrigued with the sample, and immediately ordered an A5 size from them.

I couldn't tell for sure but the cover appears to be a coated cardboard, but it's very sturdy without being heavy. The binding is glued (Whitelines calls the style Perfect Bound), and it does not lie flat, which is the only real flaw I found.  I found the Orange and White design appealing, and I like the feel of the notebook in hand.

The paper is a light gray with white grid lines (you can also get a lined version).  There is less glare, and the lines don't interfere with your writing or drawing as much as the traditional dark lines do.  The blurbs say that the lines don't photocopy, but they do pick up on my scanner.  This white on gray is supposed to be helpful for people with dyslexia, and the paper itself is Swedish totally Carbon Free Paper.­ (which means no Carbon Dioxide­ from fossil fuels is being emitted during production).

I did a bleedthrumanade (Got lemons, make lemonade.  Got marker bleedthru, make bleedthrumanade) with my Letraset Promarkers and a Kuretake Disposable brush pen.  I decided to only color half the page, to get a feel for how the white on gray did with both Black & White and Color.

The scan is true--in some areas, the white lines almost disappear to the naked eye.  Surprisingly, they disappear most where the patterns are busiest.  I think the brain can't deal and just evens the white and gray to one shade.  Promarkers are very translucent colors so I wasn't surprised that the white lines show but again, the brain tends to ignore them.  If I don't look closely and specifically for the white lines, I don't notice them.  The colors themselves didn't seem to change because of the gray, but I don't think they were as bright as usual.

This would be a great book for organizing or practicing your tangles.  You would need to work on a surface so that you can hold the book open, because of the binding. I like the the white on gray for the novelty of it, but the more I look at it, the more I like it because it's easy on the eyes.

Emerging from Bedrock-Front

Link: Rhodia "Fab 5" Giveaway

If you haven't already joined in, European Paper Company is giving away Rhodia notepads every day this week.

I've had several emails recently from people who've followed giveaway links from my blog and won, so who knows?  It might be your turn!

Link: Art Journaling Tips for Adding Texture

Cloth, Paper,Scissors Magazine has posted an article listing 10 ways to add texture to your art journals.

Link: Free Mandala Templates

Lori Howe (the lacefairy) has posted some free Mandala templates at her blog.

A Thank you to Oprah Winfrey and a Review of her LifeClass Journal

Back in October, Oprah Winfrey did a series of LifeClass webcasts.  As part of that, she gave away a million LifeClass journals for free.  (Unfortunately, I don't think they are still available.

Production issues delayed the delivery of the journals and I just received mine today.  I have to tell that I am impressed.  It's a nice little journal.  And with articles in the news asking if hand-writing is a thing of the past, and whether it should be dropped from school curriculums, I want to thank Oprah for encouraging a million people to start journaling by hand.



The journal is 5 x 7 inches with an elastic band to hold it closed, a ribbon marker, and pocket in the back.  It's extremely light but well-made.  The only flaw I saw with mine, was a bulge in the back by the pocket--I think something got under the paper before it was glued.

It isn't large enough to disturb my writing, or noticeable enough to keep pulling my eye.

The cover is a rustic brown and the paper is ivory with gray-brown lines.  It's thin, but of decent quality.   It has a nicely sewn binding.  The thread is not visible, and the journal lies flat.  Even when open at the center, the pages stay open without being held down.



I tried several different pens and had no bleed-through.  There is some shadowing, but it wasn't excessive.  If you take care with the pen you choose, the shadowing should not be an issue.  (The Diamine Chocolate Brown I have in my Lamy Safari was made for this journal.  It's a perfect complement for the color scheme!)

The front fly-leaf has information about Oprah's OWN channel, and a message from Oprah.

I have no doubt that Oprah's Lifeclass webcasts helped many people, but for these journals alone, I believe she has done great service in keeping alive the act of journaling by hand.  For that--Thank you, Oprah!

Link to tangle pattern Ionic

CZT Margaret Bremner has posted steps to her tangle pattern Ionic.

Link: Gingerbread Play Dough (with Printable Recipe)

Amanda, at Who Are You Calling Crafty, has posted a recipe for Gingerbread Play Dough along with a holiday idea.

Link to tangle pattern Spaanders

Mariët Dronten has posted steps to her tangle pattern Spaanders.

New tangle pattern Tricorn & redo of K-ning

My giveaway of Geneviève Crabe's Tangle Organizer and Journal 2012 ended last night, but you'll still be seeing the pages as I come up with new tangles!

You will find similar patterns to Tricorn.  Mostly, I came up with this to show two things--

One: if you find it difficult to judge where your next lines should go, you can always use dots first so that your eye will have a guide.

Two: Repetition of a shape is always a good method for coming up with a pattern.  Mirror the shape.  Turn it on it's side.  Nest the repetition within the shape itself.  I used a triangle, but this would work for other shapes as well.

I came up with K-Ning quite some time ago, but I've had people asking about it lately, so I decided to post it a refresher.

The winners of my Tangle Organizer and Journal Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered  my tangle organizer  and journal giveaway.

All entries were assigned a number, and two numbers were chosen via True Random Number Generator.  The first number generated was for Prize Package 1, and the second number was for  Prize Package 2.

I have sent emails to the winners and they need to respond directly to those emails. If I don't hear from them by December 31, then a second drawing will be held and a new winner chosen.

The winner of Prize Package 1: A Tangle Organizer, signed by Geneviève Crabe; 4 Micron Pigma Sepia-colored pens—one .25mm, one .45mm, one 1.0mm and one brush tip; and 4 Sharpie Fineline pens-Black, Blue, Green and Red.



carirabz / December 9, 2011 / Edit
Thanks for the giveaway and the review. These items look great!
craboin at chartermi dot net






Prize Package 2:  a Tangle Journal, signed by Geneviève Crabe; 4 Micron Pigma Sepia-colored pens—one .25mm, one .45mm, one 1.0mm and one brush tip; 3 Pentel Slicci Metallic Pens-Copper, Gold & Silver.

Lori Bradford said...
I am having such a great time learning to draw tangles! Thank you for all the help your sites have provided. lori.bradford@hotmail.ca
December 10, 2011 9:23 AM

Link: Weekly Challenge delayed this week and Sue Jacobs Alphabet Soup

Due to her children's health problems, Laura Harms' has delayed this weeks Weekly Challenge #52. (Here's the link to her announcement if you want to go and wish her well).


If that makes you panic, at the thought of not having a challenge, lol, Sue Jacobs issued a challenge a while back to use every letter in the alphabet in a zentangle.  She's up to 'U' already, but I don't think there is time limit so don't be afraid to join in, if you haven't already.  Sue's done some outstanding examples at her blog.

And all I can say is that if you accept her challenge, you'll love me when you get to the 'Z's, lol!

Link: JetPens Penefit Get $25, Give $25 - Giveaway #1

JetPens is giving away $25 gift certificates to their store each day this week (12/12 to 12/16), plus the winner of each day's certificate can choose a non-profit education related charity of their choice to receive a $25 dollar donation from JetPens.  Wow!  A chance to both receive and give!

Link: Numi Tea And Kindle Fire Giveaway

Shoplet is hosting a giveaway sponsered by Numi Tea. They are giving away an Amazon Kindle Fire and a prize pack of Numi Tea.

Link: Video Tutorials in drawing cartoons

Marguerite Meara posted on Facebook about the Drawing, How to Draw site and I thought I'd pass on the info.  Funky site, and I had problems with some of the links, but the videos are fun to watch.

Link: Free Ebook: How to Paint a Portrait: 38 Portrait Painting Techniques

Artist Daily has a free downloadable ebook available.  How to Paint a Portrait: 38 Portrait Painting Techniques from Artist Daily.

New tangle enhancement Threedy

This pattern enhancement was drawn in one of Geneviève Crabe's Tangle Organizers Layout #1.   For a review, and a chance to win one of her Organizers or one of her Journals, please check out my giveaway.

I get many comments saying my work is so 3D, and has such depth.  It's because of the shading, of course.  The hatching (several line strokes going in the same direction) helps, but what really fools your brain into seeing depth, is the dark shading beneath or to the side of a shape.

With a realistic drawing, you need to place your shading very carefully, but with abstracts like zentangle, you have room to play.  So if you think of this kind of shading as an enhancement--Threedy becomes that shy little dark area that peeps out from behind a shape.  He likes to hide in corners.  He usually picks a side and stays there throughout a whole drawing.  Sometimes he chooses a side and either top or bottom.

The bigger he is, the more depth implied, but he's never more than a third the size of the shape he is shadowing--try not to let him get even that big very often.

Hope you find him helpful!

.

Bleedthrumanade with Steampunk Animals

Got Lemons? Make Lemonade. Got Marker Bleedthru?  Make Bleedthrumanade!

Ingredients: Stamps from Viva Las Vegas Steampunk Plate-o-rubber 1272, Letraset Promarkers, Kuretake No. 8 Fountain Hair Brush Pen, Kuretake Disposable Pocket Brush Pen - Extra Fine, Rhodia large black A5 Webnotebook dot paper

I just love these steampunk animal stamps that I got from Viva Las Vegas stamps a while back.  On the front of the page, their ornate stamped patterns made them a shoo-in to go with my tangles!  On the back of the page, I tangled the animals myself.

Have you entered my Tangle Organizer & Journal Giveaway yet?

Link: Flower Explosion - Video Drawing Tutorial

Miraculous Mosquito has posted a Flower Explosion - Video Drawing Tutorial.

Link: BlackPumpkin will giveaway a 2012 Doodle Calendar when she reaches 100 blog followers

BlackPumpkin will giveaway a 2012 Doodle Calendar when she reaches 100 blog followers.  Head over to Timeless Rituals if you want to help her reach her goal.

Link: A very quick post about stamp pad inks

Not sure about the differences in stamp pad inks?

Georgiegirl2012 has posted a link to an informative article that explains all about them.

New Tangle pattern Knoblesse

This pattern was drawn in one of Geneviève Crabe's Tangle Organizers Layout #1.  

For a review, and a chance to win one of her Organizers or one of her Journals, please check out my giveaway.

This pattern made me think of a fancy door knob, so the name is a riff--some door is missing it's knob handle because I took it for the pattern.  It's knob-less *pause for laughter*.

Okay, maybe not so funny, lol, but it's a simple pattern, using circle, square and diamond. Easily varied and used as a single pattern, a string or fill.  

Mixing basic shapes like this is always an easy way to come up with an interesting pattern on the fly as well.  Just vary the size of the shapes and how they combine.

Link: Sandy Bartholomew has a sale at Wingdoodle

Sandy Bartholomew is trying to clear our her store, Wingdoodle.  Check out her post for information about coupons.

Link to tangle pattern Pattern Draw Day

Ildiko has posted the steps to a new pattern.  She's labeled it Pattern Draw Day so I'm not sure what the actual name is, lol.

Link to tangle pattern Flagman

Barbara K.1 has posted steps to her tangle pattern Flagman.

New tangle pattern Fohbraid

This pattern was drawn in one of Geneviève Crabe's Tangle Organizers Layout #1.  

For a review, and a chance to win one of her Organizers or one of her Journals, please check out my giveaway.  

This is one of those patterns that seems so simple once you think of it, so possibly someone else has already.  I don't remember seeing one, but my memory makes swiss cheese look whole, lol!  If you know of a pattern that uses the same steps, please let me know so I can give credit.  

It's a very flexible pattern, easily varied, and can be a border, string or fill.  

.

Link: Geneviève Crabe's Weekly Roundup 12/9/11

Genevieve Crabe  

Weekly Roundup | Tangle Harmony

www.amarylliscreations.com

Zentangle Harmony - Zentangle art, classes, and more

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Link: Folded Paper Flowers tutorial

Japanese Kusudama technique for folding Paper Flowers.

Link: Geneviève Crabe is the Featured Artist on The Rainbow Elephant!

Geneviève Crabe is the Featured Artist on The Rainbow Elephant!

Link: Tangle Refresher 14 at tanglepatterns.com

CZT Linda Farmer has posted 5 tangles that were popular this time last year!

Bleedthrumanade with Big Eggs and Energy

Got lemons? Make lemonade.  got Marker Bleedthru?  Make Bleedthrumanade.

Layout created with MyMemories Suite V3.

I'm tired tonight, and I think I need to work on this a bit more but I wanted to get it posted.  

Haven't done a bleedthrumanade for a while--Rhodia 'R' Pad, Letraset Promarkers and Micron Sepias-Brush, Graphic & Pigma.

Link: Make a Bottle Doll with Creative Paperclay® Tutorial

Marissart Dollmaker has posted the steps to making a doll using a bottle and Creative Paperclay®!

Link: My Memories Suite software available in Bundle offers

Just in from MyMemories--Digital Scrapbooking CD bundles:

Looking for a great last minute gift to top off your shopping list? MyMemories Suite v3 is a great buy as a stocking stuffer—especially if you can buy in bundles.  Our award- winning scrapbook software is now available in a 3-Pack for $59.99 or a 5-Pack for only $79.99. These bundles are shippable products only, DVDs in a slimline case, shipped as a bundle to one address, so order today to get them in time for your holiday gift giving. MyMemories Suite is a great gift for someone who enjoys scrapbooking or someone that needs an introduction to the fun world of digital scrapbooking. Some great new designs are in the store too— click here to check them out.

I don't think my code will save you anything on the bundles, but you if you decide to buy just 1 copy use coupon code STMMMS48333 to save $10 on My Memories Suite.