Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Happy New Day

The Diva Challenge has returned after a short and well deserved holiday break. The challenge is a bright spot in my Monday, even if I don't get to tangle the challenge. But a new year has begun, and as many of us settle into a new "improved" routine, one of mine is to allow more tangle time. I don't really like the thought of one whole year being new, as it can be very overwhelming to think I have to keep up with any of the changes I've set up for myself.
   For the past 5 or 6 years my creative friends and I gather on New Year's Day to start the year with a creative community. This year we held our party at our new bead store. We invited the general public to gather and do whatever it is they love to do. There was a little beading, scrapbooking, quilting, tangling. Great fun. One of our partiers greeted each person with "Happy New Day" rather than the customary "new year". We liked that and decided it really took the pressure off of trying to have a whole new happy year. One day at a time, we can handle. Even if I have a bumpy start to a day, it can often work itself out.
    This week's Diva Challenge was a new tangle created by Laura's husband, Brad. (Happy birthday today, Brad!) I had a bumpy start with this one. I started it directly in my Tangle-a-Day calendar, which is always a leap everyday. Each day I make a dedicated attempt to take apart my tendencies to "make it pretty." Calendars and journals can be tricky that way.
   
I had already started January 7 with a little bit of Tripoli, left over from a conversation with Peg Farmer. I began the Phicops challenge tangle in the larger space, and added a couple more in the leftover spaces. It took me a few tries to get the rhythm and direction going, so I pulled out a prestrung Zentangle tile and tried again once I 'got' it. The rhythm of Phicops called to mind the Flux tangle, so the dance went in that step. I finished it off with a little Fescu.

Thanks Laura and Brad! Have a great week, everyone.

21 comments:

  1. These are both lovely. I like your idea of the stripey shading instead of the black.

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  2. So happy to see your post...never disappointed, always inspired by your attention to detail and gorgeous line work! Your shading is always spot on! It was a dance...and it does take a bit of practice but Phicops is gorgeous!

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  3. Ooh, pretty :-) I love the "Happy New Day" idea. What a great way to start the year. Or the week.

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  4. Beautiful work. I am also loving my calendar. It was a surprise Christmas gift. Yahoo!

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  5. It's always good to see a post from you, Carole! I miss seeing your Zentangle work on a regular basis, but it appears you are very happy with your bead store...yay! Beautiful calendar post and gorgeous tile!

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  6. Carole, your art and words always bring us a thoughtful message, today I see new growth for the new day and year!

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  7. What beautiful zia and tile you made. I love the idea of 'happy day1".

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  8. Really liked the combination of tangles that you used in the tile. Looks like a garden with things just bursting out all over. Like the way you used flux to accent the Phicops

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  9. I love your use of Phicops. It really pairs beautifully with Flux. Nice job!

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  10. I love all you work... always so inspiring!

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  11. BEAUTIFUL!! simple and elegant and love the subtle shading

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  12. Gorgeous Carole--always love your stuff! Having a blast playing with my calendar! =0)

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  13. Beautifully done - both your calendar and tile. I love flux with phicops. I enjoyed your blog too - Happy New Day indeed - we should all say that more often and start the day off in a positive way :)

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  14. Nice looking, I especially like the first one.

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  15. Beautiful work on your calendar page and your tile. I love the tangle combinations you used, and your shading is lovely.

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  16. Very pretty, both. I like the lacy feel and the arcs in the top openings of your Phicops.

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  17. I am so enjoying my 2013 Calendar. This is my first year and being a newbie to tangling, I was quite nervous about putting pen to paper. But, I've tangled on and now...can't wait for tomorrow to tangle in my calendar. Thanks so much for your inspirations. Rosemary

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    1. Your post inspires me, Rosemary! Some days I think I don't have time, but I always KNOW that I do have time. When I take a time-out to relax and do it, I'm always glad I did. Relaxation breeds relaxation. And letting go with pen on paper means it's possible to let go in other ways too. It always amazes me.

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