The Never-Ending Tree

The Never-Ending Tree

I started this tree sometime last year.  I took a bunch of pictures on my progress as I went along, but then my computer passed away suddenly, and took all of its memories with it. T’was a sad, sad day. 

What I remember from when I started, was that I wanted to use the Rope String as my base for the tree.  I’ve wanted to use it as a base for a tree since I first played with it.  So that’s how it began…

I hit a snag doing the border. It wasn't originally all black - it had a funky design and was to be coloured in blues.  But I messed it up... at around 2am this morning.  So I coloured it in all black and it'll just have to do :)

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned (other than to backup my stuff) working a piece that takes a long time, with many delays, is that though my colourful Copic Markers are amazing tools, their brilliance fades over time, not unlike a highlighter.  I’ve been meaning to move onto watercolours and watching this fade-out has giving me that extra push to do so.

Regardless, here is my tree in all of its finished glory.

Spinner Zentangle Pattern

Spinner Zentangle

(by Jo Flaherty)

Spinner is a Jo Flaherty original tangle. Join her facebook page called "Zia tips, tricks and techniques" for all of your tangly-goodness needs!

I've posted a few of my pieces below, featuring the Spinner tangle, followed by a video showing my basic rundown of Jo's design. You can have so much fun with this simple tangle, it's not hard to do at all and adding to it is really easy.  Pop onto the facebook page and see what others have done with this pattern, it's truly spectacular!

So here goes

1st attempt

Spinner zentangle

2nd attempt - with a little splash of colour

Spinner zentangle

3rd attempt - went bigger here, and really got into it.

Spinner zentangle

And finally, got a little busy on this one and played with colour a whole lot more.  Sadly, my puppers got a hold of it overnight and gave it a little chew...

Spinner zentangle

And alas, the little video tutorial...

Sun for Jo

Sun for Jo!

Jo's on a cruise and threw us the challenge to make a Sun Piece to commemorate her journey.

For the background I used distress inks. I use a makeup sponge to apply it and get this look.

distress background

Next came the line art. Used a Copic Micron 1.0 and .1

Finally the finished product!!

Zentangle sun with distress ink background

Jo's Underwater Challenge

Jo's Underwater Challenge

Jo (check out her fb page ZIA tips, tricks and techniques) put out a challenge for an underwater scene.  Which, of course, is a ton of fun!

Here's my efforts at the challenge.  I used the WRONG kind of paper.  After using distress inks on the background, I used my lovely copic microns to draw the base. No problems there. But then when I attempted to add colour with my prismacolor pencils, the paper tore as I tried to add the colour. :( 

I repaired as I could and trudged on. 

Distress Ink Background

Line Art

Under the sea zentangle Zia Finished

Tangled bowls

Tangled Bowls

It's long after christmas so this is a little late, but these are some of the bowls I made as gifts. Click HERE for my tips and tricks on working with porcelain/ceramics.

Zentangle bowl

Zentangle bowl

Zentangle bowl

all wrapped up!

 

After the drawing and cooking is done on the pots, I make my yummy "christmas crack", caramelized soda crackers with chocolate chips on top and add them into the bowls then wrap them with cellophane.