Pillow, pillow on the couch.....

This started when I was sitting on the couch at my sister-in-law's house, and I noticed right beside me was this pillow that had all these different boxes and patterns on them.   So what else was I to do but draw it - right???  I'm constantly amazed at how ideas for patterns just pop up and make themselves known, especially in everyday things when you're not looking for them.  I'm not a huge New Year's Resolution person (mainly because I never keep them) but maybe I'll make an exception this year and try to pay more attention to the little things around me that could turn into new tangle patterns.  Do you have any new tangles you've been working on????  I would love to know about them!

More old and new

Old reliable patterns are so great to fall back on.   I'm playing with old and new patterns and started with the flowerish part on this one.  Before I knew it, it had grown into this piece.  It's not overly creative (which is how I feel when I use too many old patterns) but I'm still playing with new ones too.  Enjoy your fine fall Friday!

More new patterns

I have to say that I'm so proud of and happy for my fellow tanglers that have such creative minds!!!  There are so many new patterns circulating right now that it's hard not to want to try them all.  Some look so complicated but when you read the broken down instructions, they appear so simple.  I look at some of them and think "why didn't I think of that?"  I guess that's what being in a group is all about.  We can learn from each other and help each other grow.  Some of my new pattern pieces don't seem to flow as well as I would like them to, but isn't it really all about the fun anyway???  Have some fun in your Friday!

Fill it up!

For some reason when I was working on this piece, I just kept going until I had the entire page filled.  I don't know if it was subconsciously intentional or if I just lost track of my design, but it just kept growing and growing.  Obviously I didn't have a string with this one and just added pattern after pattern.  Sometimes I do better without a string and other times I need the structure of the string.  I can see where I would change some of the pattern placements if I could re-do this, but since I can't, it is what it is.  Thanks for taking the time to read my blog my friends!!

Indian Tendencies

I've been a little slow to tangle this week and therefore am behind a little in my posting.  I've been enjoying trying out new patterns and putting them together.  This one seems to have a little indian flair to me.  Enjoy and thanks for stopping by my blog!!

Something old

I spent the day yesterday with Little Miss Thisorthat and didn't get any drawing done.  So I looked through some of my old drawings (like from January) and saw some things that needed a little tweaking on this piece.  It made me see how much my style has changed since I first started tangling.  Not that it's bad, but just caught me a little off guard.  When I first started I thought tangling was just drawing a series of patterns, but after awhile (and after seeing all the awesome and diverse work from my flickr friends) I realized there are different styles and you have to find your own.  Some days I think I have it figured out and others, well - not so much!  I hope your style shines on this fabulous day!

Dressin up

I'm still trying to attempt the challenge (just not as whole hearted as I started out) but in the meantime, this showed up this morning.  TOTAM was here with me and he thought these looked just liked patterns from different dress shirts.  I'm not sure I totally agree with that, but getting a new perspective is refreshing.  You know how you get in a slump or start to second guess yourself, so it's nice to get someone elses outlook.  Of all of my kids, TOTAM is the most complimentary so I always welcome his opinions. I have a busy day on the books today so I hope your day is full of happy things!

Color again!

When I finished this tangle some of the patterns seemed to run together, like you couldn't see where one ended or even what the pattern was.  That's why I decided to color it and give it some definition.  At first I wasn't too sure it was working then I finished it and stepped back - I was pleased.  Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the color (like we all do) and other times it's soothing to me.  This was the soothing piece.

On another note I want to say something about our own art. We all tend to be critical of the things we produce but at the same time enjoy the process.  I think that just like in life, its the process that makes it all worth while.  The finished project in the end is going to be a reflection of that.  Therefore, don't be so hard on your art.  It's part of you and it's fabulous!!!  Keep sharing what you love!!!

Not the Challenge

Last week we used verdigogh as one of the patterns in our challenge.  I decided I really like this pattern so while I was away during the open house yesterday I thought I would give it another shot.  I still like it.  I hope today finds you doing something that puts a smile on your face!

New Pattern!! - Tuxedo

LeeAnn is one of the most awesome tanglers and is always coming up with new fabulous patterns.  She does magnificent work, adds outstanding color, and she is a great inspiration!  I wanted to try her new pattern because I tend to do simple patterns and this one was a little more complicated.  Not like, so hard you can't figure it out, but there are a few more steps used to get it to look right.  I'm still not sure it looks like it was supposed to, but it was a fun pattern to work on and I'm hoping to find time to do another piece with this pattern in it.  Time - where does it all go????  Hope you get everything done on YOUR to-do list today!!

The Gift of Internet Friends

I have been so fortunate (and blessed) to have all of my internet friends!!  These are people that I talk to on most days and share things about what's going on in my world and they share what's going on in theirs.  Some might think it a little strange because we have never met, but at the same time there is an odd closeness.  I'll admit that I'm 51 (but don't tell anyone) and over the past 10 years or so, I haven't been in a position to meet a lot of new people I would call my friends.  In the past six months I have more than made up for that!  My internet friends are warm and caring, as well as being encouraging and generous.  Plus most of them have the creative bug like I do which is what initially brought us together.  There are new patterns in this piece that were made by LeeAnn (ledenzer) and I just had to try them - so thanks LeeAnn for your creativeness and your willingness to share!!  Today might be the day you find a new friend, whether in person or some other way, so put yourself out there and don't let the opportunity pass you by - not only will you be missing out but someone else will be too!!

New Things

This tangle has two new patterns in it.  The first is Spam (by Sandra Strait - Molossus who says Life Imitates Doodles) which is at the top and Chain Reaction (by LeeAnn - LeeAnn's Zentangleing Fun) and that's at the bottom.  This is another piece that I worked on during the MANY hours of computer clean up that is still ongoing.  It's fun to try new things and I'm not one that likes to practice much (too impatient) so when I try a new pattern it's usually the first time I've done it.  Sometimes I like the way they turn out and other times - well, they need more work.  With this being the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend I hope you get to try some new things out for your holiday weekend.  Just wing it like I do with my new patterns and you'll have a wonderful time - whether they turn out just like you want or maybe you should have planned a little more!  Either way enjoy and be safe!!

Comfy Cozy

I started this piece with LeeAnns (ledenzer from flckr) new Star-Fanleaf pattern and from there it took on a life of its own and was cascading downward before I knew it.  It was lending itself toward things that I love - like big comfy quilts, strings of beads, flowers and such.  I did a rendition of Neil Burleys (GSDM from flckr) Swags pattern, which I really like too.  I'm always looking for ways to create depth and dimension in my pieces because that's one of the things that draws me to the work of others.  I think it makes each piece more interesting, so that's always in the back of my mind. 

On a different note, I have friends that live in Joplin, MO (where the tornado hit last night) and the devastation to property is hard to watch, but the shock to their citizens is unimaginable.  Please keep these resilient and strong people in your thoughts and prayers as they begin to rebuild their lives!

New Pattern - Rouleau

If you haven't seen this new pattern by Sara Mitchell then you have to check it out!  Obviously I liked it and couldn't get enough of it.  It's an easy pattern to make but you can still put a lot of detail into it - which sometimes I like.  I have to say that I prefer the top piece over the bottom (ha ha the top one IS over the bottom) as I have started to play with my shading some.  On the top piece I added some black Prismacolor pencil to the outlining which gave it a different look.  I'm not sure if you can see it on the screen, but in person it really pops!  I'm really used to softer shading but I'm trying out some new things.  Wait until you see what I have for you tomorrow! 

Yay No Calorie Breakfast!!!

Today I had bacon and eggs for breakfast and yes it really was calorie free!!  Ok I have to tell you that I didn't actually eat the bacon and eggs - I drew it!  Sandra Strait has a new pattern that she calls "bacon and eggs" and I just had to give it a try.  And what's not better than starting your day out with a new tangle and a new pattern!  I'm sure you can tell from my picture above which pattern is the "bacon and egg" pattern (ok upper left if you're confused).  Today's Challenge is a new pattern too so I'll have to get on that.  Rick and Maria never stop!  I have to tell you that the Royal Wedding Challenge from last week proved to get the best of me and I didn't do one.  First one I've missed since I started participating in them, but after seeing all of the fabulous pieces that were being done I couldn't think of anything that I felt would measure up.  If you haven't seen them you can go to Laura Harms' website and check out Challenge 20 - there is some totally awesome pieces there!  My freehand drawing isn't very good (just my opinion) but I'm excited about this weeks'.  I've actually practiced a little on the new pattern this morning so either later today or tomorrow I'll have a new Challenge piece to post.  New patterns are wonderful - they're like a new experience in life - which is why sometimes they work out and sometimes they - well - not so much! Sometimes you just have to practice until you get it right!   I hope your Monday is full of challenges that you can hurdle with no problems!