Challenge 173: Redux, Remix, Revisit

What an interesting challenge this week from guest challenger Sharla Hicks.  First, if you haven't seen the beautiful examples she posted on the Challenge post for her remixing of Mooka, take a look!! 

The challenge is to go to one of your "go to" tangles and try to do it differently, mix it up.  But also, think about one that maybe you haven't used in a while.  That said, I decided to take a look back at some of the first tiles I did and see what I really liked back then.  I have my first 5 tiles I ever did labeled and dated.  So glad I did that.  Anyway, what I found was my old friend the tangle Poke Root.  Now my version back then really should have been called tinker toys instead with the straight stiff stems and mechanical feel they give off, but it was one I really took time to practice and tried to master.  I finally think I got it and now feel really comfortable with the way my Poke Root turns out.  

So onto the challenge, trying to take something I know so well and mix it up was pretty hard.  Not so sure it is one of my favorites but I do like certain aspects of it.  I like the big and the small berries together.  I like the snake-like longer stems of the striped version and I think I like the color choice for the sets of 5 berries.  Originally I just had a pencil shaded background and that didn't work for me at all.  It really was an exercise in the power of the process.  There are no mistakes in zentangle, if I didn't do some of the things I didn't like at first, I would never have gotten to the things I do like about this piece.  

Now to share the old and new versions of Poke Root.

Tile #2 Created 8/26/2004  - Poke Root or Tinker Toys?

Poke Root Remix

Challenge 172: Duo Tangle Aura Knot and Mooka

First, thanks for all the well wishes.  Feeling great and glad to have my sense of taste back.  Sadly, now it is my computer that is sick, just stopped working yesterday.  Very annoying to have a computer that is not even a year old stop working completely.  Luckily have my Ipad so I can participate this week.  

This week's challenge is a duo tangle with Aura Knot and Mooka.  Two great tangles that I really enjoy. 

Happy Tangling!

Challenge 171: Beads of Courage

The month of May in Indy is always a whirlwind of activities and takes me away from tangling and blogging.  I know its now the middle of June but after a week and a half of being sick I finally have enough energy to tangle again.  Laying around like a lump with no energy to even tangle is a really low place to be.  Well I am finally back and ready to TANGLE!!  Last night after teaching a beginning zentangle class to the most enthusiastic and wonderful group of ladies at a quilt shop in Anderson, IN my creative strength has come back.  I am so glad to be able to pick up and get back to tangling for this week's challenge for Beads of Courage.  

Happy Tangling!