Tanika's wolf

When we were visiting over the summer, my granddaughter Tanika told us that her favorite animal was the wolf.  So I decided I would tangle one for her birthday.  She turned nine this month.
Carol Graham, Tangled Inklings, Zentangle
I used a grey-toned charcoal paper, Sakura Metallic Gelly Roll pens for the eyes, and black Micron for everything else.  It is approx 8x10.
A big Thank-You to Ben Kwok for his amazing templates.


I've got mail!

My rickety old metal mailbox was croaking out its last breath and beyond repair.  I was excited to find this nice white plastic one, just begging to be tangled.

Tangled Inklings, Carol Graham CZT, Zentangle

I used the Sakura IDenti Pen.  It stood up well to being sprayed with water, so I'm not worried about the rain and snow.  My front door faces south though, so I expect it may fade in the sun and require some touch-ups next Spring.

white ink

I came across a Guide to Choosing White Gel Ink Pens and Markers.  I wanted to share it, as much to pass along the information, as to be able to find it again myself down the road when I'm scratching my head, saying "now, where did I see that article on white ink?"  Am I the only one that happens to?
http://www.jetpens.com/blog/guide-to-choosing-white-gel-ink-pens-and-markers/pt/340?utm_source=JetPens+Newsletter&utm_campaign=ddd0bd8c58-20140402_enews&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e853d77ed9-ddd0bd8c58-294629697&mc_cid=ddd0bd8c58&mc_eid=191ba03464

Check out the article HERE

zendala

I've been feeling a little out-of-sorts this past week, and decided to try mixing things up a little, in order to "shake it off".  

Generally when I tangle, the classic, square, white tile / black pen is my go-to.  I tend to use the black and renaissance tiles, and colored pens less often, and think of them as 'treats'.  Like one might think of, say ice cream - it's oh-so-yummy and fun to have, but not as a steady diet.  (Stick with me a sec, with the ice cream analogy)

If the colored tiles are like ice-cream - then I think of the Zendala tiles like a banana split with whip cream and chocolate sauce and strawberries and . . . well, I think you get the idea (and it's not good to drool on my keyboard!)

So, to get me out of this little funk I was in, I decided a Zendala would be the best medicine.  And if I was gonna 'treat' myself, I might as well make it a black Zendala tile!  Now, I have to confess that I've been a bit intimidated by Zendalas, so I haven't done a whole lot of them.  
To go easy on myself, I used one of the pre-strung tiles from z e n t a n g l e ®.   
tangled inklings, Carol Graham, http://tangledinklings.blogspot.ca/
It was exactly what I needed!  I'm feeling a whole lot better, and fairly pleased with how it turned out.  I might just be hooked!  In fact, I stayed up WAY too late last night looking through zendala templates over at The Bright Owl where a talented CZT named Erin Koetz Olson, posts a weekly Zendala Dare.  Check it out - they have WAY less calories than a banana split!


awesome year!


I am in the midst of an Awesome Year . . . quite literally!

I am participating in Joanne Sharpe's online workshop, Draw Your Awesome Year.  I am having an absolute blast, but I have been consumed with my journal - often neglecting pretty much everything else.  You know, stuff like dusting and vacuuming, grocery shopping, and every once and awhile - eating!  

One of my goals for the month January was to lose 5 pounds.  I lost 7, and there's a real good chance that was due to drawing and painting instead of snacking!

Carol Graham, Tangled Inklings, http://tangledinklings.blogspot.ca/
Title page of my Awesome Year journal
Though I haven't been doing tiles or keeping up with the Diva's Challenge, I have been tangling.  Zentangle is an awesome part of my awesome life, and makes regular appearances on the pages of my journal.  In fact, I think my life would be considerably less awesome without it!

And speaking of awesome, there are some pretty awesome artists participating in this class, including a super-talented CZT12 classmate of mine, Kathie Gadd.  There's a fantastic Facebook group where people post their work - and the talent out there just blows me away!  It is a wee-bit intimidated, but a whole-lot inspiring.

The class is self-paced, and designed to just jump in where you are.  While I started when it kicked off in January, people can join and start anytime.  I highly recommend it.