Daved and I just took some time off in the form of a really long weekend. That meant three actual workdays that we didn't work (plus the two 'freebie' weekend days!). I came back to a pile of emails and rush jobs and needy kitty cats that missed their 'mommy.' We also came back to budding trees, all green and fuzzy, and a side yard of beautiful daffodils! Things had geared up while we were gone, and beginning a work week on a Tuesday instead of a Monday, it felt a little like the world had started back up without me.
No time to tangle? Hmm? Not even 15 minutes?
I began with a Zentangle® pre-strung tile today. Laura's advice was to simplify. Even though I think I don't think about the string, once I reached for a pre-strung tile, I felt a lightness come over me. That part was already done! I opened my book of tangles and following the stream of lightheartedness, picked something simple, as I was trying to stay away from thinking altogether. I looked at the clock to begin. I went a little over my 15 minutes, but when that happened, it felt so luxurious that I did another tile. I used the same pre-strung tile on the second one just to see how different it could become.
It's always amazing how one string can float into so many different forms. There are a million creative ways to be with a string, to be with the time of day. We can structure our minutes and time however it works for us. We can allow room for all of it!
I found that in the space between my deadlines and lists, there really is 15 minutes, even more. It turns out that was the best thing I could have done today. It helped me feel a little more balanced. It is what it always is, whether it's a Monday or a Tuesday. It all feels the same after a little tangle time.
Thank you, Laura. And thanks, Rick and Maria for the pre-strung tile idea.
Very cool how astonishingly different they are!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have daffodils yet :-(
--Margaret
that's a great idea, using the pre-strung tiles. i think, for my next one, i'll plan which tangles i want to use before i start.
ReplyDeleteLovely, as always!
ReplyDeletewow, you made some incredible zentangles....I really love the boldness in the first one (it takes me at least 15 min to fill in!!!) and the way the lines go from one side to the other and becoming another form,in the second. Cool, cool, cool!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you call this "simple"! Looks very complicated to me! What is the name of the first tangle? Are there directions? I'm not very good yet at visualizing what must have been done first, next, last. LOVE your blog, Carole! :)
ReplyDeleteAnn, the first tile is done in a tangle called Striping, which is an original Zentangle pattern. I basically 'striped' the sections created by the string. I left a white area on each black stripe for a little highlight or "sparkle." It's often hard to "figure out" some of the tangles. If you have a CZT near you, look them up. Having someone actually show you the steps to a particular tangle is very helpful!
ReplyDeleteYour Striping tile is stunning! A
ReplyDeleteAs always your tangles are amazing! I love them both. I think it is amazing! You were able to get a lot finished in 15 minutes!
ReplyDeleteI am loving the opposite effects of the dramatic and the peaceful between your 2 tiles!
ReplyDeleteYour post expressed a little of what I've been feeling. Sometimes it seems the more I need to accomplish in a short space of time, the less I get done. Thank you for putting words to my (as yet unarticulated) thoughts. To know someone else understands -- and works their way through!! -- the feeling of many demands all presenting themselves for attention at the same time. It's good. Thank you. *And* I love both your tiles. The fact that the first only went "a little" over the 15 minutes is still pretty stunning. :)
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteWonderful job. I couldn't get that much black down in 15 minutes if I tried! Lovely work, as always.
Very pretty! Really love the first one! I have never used the pre-strung tiles or pre-strung ensembles that I have sold at classes, but I'll have to do that one of these days.
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I love the first one!
ReplyDeleteLove them both. One so solid, the other light and airy.
ReplyDeleteWow, so much fill on that first one! I stayed away from any with heavy fill because I focus on it too much and it takes too long for me to get it right. These are lovely, and I love seeing the contrast between the two. Both with the same string. Very cool
ReplyDeleteI love them both!
ReplyDeleteWow, Carole. Very nice tiles, and I too am amazed that you got that first one all filled in within the 15 minutes! Yikes, you're fast; and shading to boot. I like the different feels to them as well, and I love what you said: " It all feels the same after a little tangle time." So true. The tangling brings everything in perspective.
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