Throwback Thursday #3 I forgot all about..., Diva Challenge #239 Munchin Play, SQ1 Pokeroot and TNTM #41 "Z"

Gentle Readers,

It has been another busy week (how did I ever find time to WORK?) here in the Valley of the Sun.

In the last week:
Black Tile class on Saturday went very well.  We focused on techniques on black that you don't see every day.  The new Fabrico marker addition opens up so many possibilities.   I'm desperately seeking someone in our local art club to act as secretary.  I know, a grunt job with no glory!  Of course, everyone approached has politely but firmly declined.  Hubby is on a kick to get new wine glasses to enhance our tasting pleasure, so we have been greeting the UPS driver with a smile and a plan for the evening on several days this week.  I like my man's thinking!  Baking my first batches of biscotti of the season, this time with a twist.  I found a recipe using lavender and hazelnuts (I just happened to have both) instead of anise and almonds.  I decided I like my base recipe better than the one I saw in the magazine that purports to test the bejezzus out of everything, so I stuck with my tried and Antonine tested.  I have a recipe secret of my own... Dough is in the fridge waiting to bake later today.  I can't wait to taste them! Dinner with friends this past Sunday at a really nice Scottsdale restaurant (yum!) and dinner tonight with the inlaws who have out of town friends in.  Yum again! After last week's cooking class, all the nice dinners and cookie baking, I dread getting on that scale.  But - life is short - enjoy every minute.  Every BUSY minute.

Temperatures are beginning to moderate...the highest day this week was only 100! By the weekend, highs should only be in the upper 80's.  I just can't wait for that first crisp morning when I can throw the windows and doors open! 

So, on to the reason we meet today.

THROWBACK THURSDAY - I FORGOT ALL ABOUT THAT ONE!
There are so many great tangles out there that sometimes in the rush to try the next best thing, we forget all about some we really enjoyed in the past.  I pulled out two tiles from a while back - one in December 2012 when I was just getting started, and one a few months later - using the very unique tangle "Fungees".  You can see the stepout plus a cute video featuring creator Leslie Crumpler.
http://tanglepatterns.com/2012/12/how-to-draw-fungees.html.

This first tile amazes me because I did it so long ago, and I wonder if I have progressed or regressed.  I really love this one (she modestly exclaims)! 

This second one focuses more on Fungees as the focus, and I like the delicate look of it.

So what to do for a throwback?  I'm not sure I want to change or improve anything on those two tiles.  So, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik...

I decided to take an entirely new approach to this tangle and try my Prismacolor pencils on black, which I may actually have never used on my tiles. I laid down a layer of Zenstone, added my Fabrico shading first and then the ink and pencil.   Perhaps a clumsy first effort, but I do like the result, and I vow to try more!

So the Throwback Thursday challenge is to use a tangle you have forgotten.  Make it better, use it in a new way, whatever you can imagine with a tangle from your past that you revisit.





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DIVA CHALLENGE #239 - MUNCHIN PLAY

I have been working with Munchin in my black tile class, and were it not for Molly Hollibaugh's instruction with that tangle, I probably would never have used it.  I will say it is very relaxing to draw and requires very little thinking - just doing.  That's the best part.

Here in my first effort, I decided to get fancy and pretty much destroyed the Zen-ness of the experience because I had to keep changing pens and matching up lines and everything else that is anything but relaxing.  The little gold dots were the most relaxing part, although they don't show up so well in this photo.   However, I like the result and stand by it.

Next, I picked up the Fabrico marker - I can't quit that thing!  In retrospect, I could have gone with a lighter gray from another set I have, but that's OK.  My goal was to show a sort of floating shadow of the pattern.  This one WAS relaxing and fun.

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THAT'S NEW TO ME #41 - Z AND LIVIA CHUA

I chose Zazzy by Sue Clark and Reticulated by Livia Chua.  I actually had to abort my first attempt at this because, no matter how hard I tried to love all of God's creatures, I just couldn't warm up to this cold blooded baby. Sorry sweetie.

So, using the same two tangles, I decided to transform the rascal into a border and soften his look. This one I can snuggle up to. Haha!

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SQUARE ONE: PURELY ZENTANGLE - POKEROOT

Let me say I saw some wonderful versions on FB of this tangle.  This one is my one attempt, and although I'm OK with it, that's it.  Just OK.  I had fun with the shading.  Moving on...



So another week come and gone, dear readers.  Thank you for stopping by and know that I cherish all your thoughts and welcome your participation in the Throwback challenge. 

Namaste,
Antonine ***