Calendar time

I've been really wanting to start playing with my new 2013 tangle-a-day calendar, but it's not the new year yet. Know what? I don't care. I'm starting anyway. I did a little more DivaDancing, and then Sandra Strait posted this fun tangle, Kabbidge. I love the name and loved playing with it, especially the shading! Thanks, Sandra, for sharing that.
   If you still need a calendar for your Zentangle practice, click the Calendar ad to the right. We only printed a limited amount, so when they are gone, we can't print anymore. This year's calendar is printed on creamy ivory paper, and I have to say, the pen and pencil feel really nice on the new paper!
   Have a wonderful new year, everyone!

Diva Dance!!!!

Congratulations to Laura Harms (aka the DIVA!)

For the past 100 weeks, Laura has offered a weekly challenge for Zentangle lovers across the globe. Most of you are already familiar with her, I'm sure! And, I'm also sure you all share in the congrats to this tenacious, talented, funny, open and loving woman. Even though I don't get to the challenges every week, I always visit her site to see what tangly fun she presents. Often, the challenge is the only time I actually sit to do a deliberate bit of tangling in the midst of the business of life. I am always grateful, even if I didn't tangle that week. Just knowing she is there with her tangly torch is a comfort and a joy.
Thanks so much, Laura!

I intended to get right on this challenge, as it marked the 100th, and Maria and Rick presented a new tangle (Diva Dance) just to celebrate Laura's tangly mark. It happened that my son got engaged the day before and Monday nite we headed out for a congratulations dinner. I was struck by the little bit of synchonicity that Laura and Brad's engagement anniversary was that day, too.  
    I got to the restaurant first to get a table. As I sat in the bar waiting (with a glass of Whoop Whoop Shiraz just for the celebratory name!), I figured this would be the time to pull a tile from my purse and have some fun. The bar was dark, and all I had was a .08 pen that was on its last drop. I also had my phone to try and see the new tangle steps. I really didn't know what it looked like until I saw it in daylight the next morning. Just goes to show, that it's not what it looks like, but how it feels. I had a LOT of fun with this the first time out.
    Today is Sunday. I'm sitting quietly in the bead store way before opening time. I have tons to do, but I couldn't let the week go by without another go at Diva Dance. I tried all the steps, and as in dancing kind of dancing, I usually veer off the sequence, as I can't remember the steps sometimes. BUT in true Zentangle style, the veering off is part of the fun! The what if's are always part of the process and I love to let them take me wherever they say to go.
   
  Thank you Laura, Rick and Maria for another moment of the gift of Zentangle.

Stash's first Zentangle® Class

Yesterday was our first official scheduled Zentangle class at our new bead store, Stash.

My tangly day began in the morning. A friend invited me to come to her home where nine women wanted me to talk about Zentangle. It just so happens they were meeting the morning of the first day of our Zentangle class, so later that afternoon a couple of the ladies joined the afternoon class. The class was taught by my friend and fellow CZT, Peg Farmer. Peg is an awesome teacher who also teaches at the University of Dayton's Lifelong Learning Program where her Zentangle classes are always full with a huge waiting list!
   Since we were having the class in my store, and we are officially closed to the public that day, I got to sit and take the class from Peg. It's been a while since I've sat for that long and tangled. What was especially nice was that the tangles were being directed by someone else, which really takes the thinking/choosing aspect out of it. How relaxing!!
   Thank you, Peg, for a wonderful class. Can't wait for next month when we do it again!
   If you are in the Dayton area and would like to attend a Zentangle class at Stash, click here. We also offer private classes for individuals or groups.