I Love Bijou Tiles!

I knew that the reason I had never gotten my little square tin box of Bijou tiles from Zentangle out of my art cabinet is that I would like them too much. That's exactly what happened. These 2x2-inch squares are addictive. They tangle up so quickly and look like little jewels when finished. In just one day, I created those shown below arranged in a circle because I couldn't stop!

Recently I took them with me on a trip and ended up teaching a couple of friends to do Zentangle drawing method on them. It went fast enough that even with a couple glasses of wine and lively conversation, the new ZT students stuck with it and produced some beautiful results! This could definitely turn into a regular class or intro to another Zentangle-related project/two-part class.

Thumbs up for Bijou!

This gives you a better idea of the tile size (2x2).

The Bijou tiles are sold in this lovely and practical tin box great for changing out the display of your current favorite tile. The Bijou story is fun too.

Results from my impromptu class with Lanny and Michael at the neighborhood cafe/bar.

I showed them how easy it is to add interest to their work with my traveling watercolor materials; a Peerless book of watercolor pigments and water-fillable brush.

Michael and Lanny giving Bijou a thumbs up too.

One Last Hurrah for the Sake of Love

Since I taught two classes in February that included the heart theme, I'll post my newest "Botangle" that I developed for the class at the Denver Botanic Gardens for my last February post. Last Saturday's class was held at the beautiful historic Waring House on site and my students worked up some incredible designs. We didn't get finished with the shading and coloring so I'm only posting my sample piece; a Bleeding Heart Botangle.

I'm also showing you another coffee mug I tangled with hearts that were inspired by Maria Thomas hearts I've seen in the Zentangle Newsletter. I love the wrapping  "Umble" pattern. Unfortunately, it's impossible to shade the cup designs as they are only drawn on with Identi Pens and Sharpies in varying sizes.

I cleaned my cups thoroughly with spirits of some kind before drawing. After completing the drawing, I let them dry overnight and baked them at 400 degrees in the over for about 20 minutes to a half an hour. I must say, that's what I read on line about how to do this and they are definitely NOT dishwasher safe. I learned the hard way and lost one cup that I spent a couple of hours tangling. I've been washing my cups by hand and that seems to work fine. I am researching better ways to make these designs dishwasher durable.

I hope these heart tangles inspire you to continue to experiment with the design that speaks to our own hearts and keep love in your lives!

We LOVED Super Bowl Sunday so much that . . .

we made hearts to prove it. And the Broncos won!! Yes, though my Zentangle class at Two Hands Paperie was competing with the Broncos and the Panthers (and we're local to Denver) I was surprised that the class filled! My lovely lady students produced the most beautiful Valentine's cards - each having someone special to gift them to. Their hours of tangling and shading paid off. Here are the results.

I'm so proud of everyone's results!

The class participants minus one diehard Bronco fan
who left a little early to catch the start of the game.

Sybil's gorgeous card that she finished at home. Notice the special heart
 bead detail garnishing the flower. 

Crazy for Hearts

As Valentine's Day approaches, I've been inspired to turn my daily "zentangling" to hearts. There are endless ways to decorate that intrinsic shape and here are just a few of my spontaneous tries. Not a lot of time spent on any of them. One is nearly a copy of one of Maria's heart tangles out there on the web. It's such a great design with the wrappings around Mooka's. I love it!

I am teaching a Botangle class on hearts next weekend. Unfortunately it is in competition with the Super Bowl. The hot link "Botangle class" takes you to the site for sign up and details.

Festive Studio/Classroom

Now that the holidays are over, I still try to remain festive in the bleak midwinter. This faux aspen tree that I had used to display Christmas ornaments has found a permanent home in the corner of my Botangle studio/classroom. To refresh your memory or if you haven't seen my previous blogs, I painted a "Tangle Teaching Tree" mural on my studio walls. Dangling birds fit in perfectly with the theme. I love the magical quality of the fairy lights on this aspen, and since I live in Estes Park, Colorado, this couldn't be more fitting as decoration to display zentangled projects that I offer as classes. Ornaments, birds, and soon bejeweled, tangled Bijou tiles will adorn my enchanted tree.

You can order this tree and other in varying sizes from Restoration Hardware. I got mine on sale and was very pleased with the quality and easy set up. I hope this inspires you to keep the festive spirit in your hearts, homes, and work as the new year sheds its days.

Cheers to 2016!

Ringing in the new year with an evening of tangling these cups. But the best part was filling them with the delightful drink to toast with. It's hot chocolate laced with amaretto and topped with whipped cream (not from the can!)

May your bellies too be warm and full and the year 2016 hold lots of great surprises and creative inspiration for you!

Bah Humbug! - NOT

"Oooh-whee!" exclaimed my German husband as he opened the door to my classroom/studio to bring me my afternoon Jasmine tea and gingerbread. You've got a Santa's workshop down here." "Looks more like last night's 70-mph winds whipped through my room, I replied." I was having so much fun creating, with Pandora music blasting from the other room and Bellina at my feet (no, ON my feet) that I hadn't noticed the time or the mess. It was good to sit back and reflect.

Just after Thanksgiving, I went into kind of a funk. I had decided to say Bah Humbug! to Christmas. But last week thoughtful small gifts from my friends at work prompted me to rally and reciprocate with my own little gifts; my usual custom.  To combat my otherwise sad feelings, I decided to make some whimsical notecards. My friends are often the recipients of my botanical illustrations in card form. But I wanted these to be more fresh, more fun! I didn't have much time so I used some of my "Tangling with Stamps" images that I had prepared for last weekend's class. And as if I don't have enough art hobbies, I started carving my own stamps and used some in this series of cards. Coupling the whimsical images with fun phrases like, "A hug in a cup," "Head over heels for you," and Apple of my eye,"  made for some cheerful greeting cards that I thought my friends could use for Valentines. Not works of art, but I hope these will bring a smile to someone's face. The whole process cheered me up, and I'm back in the Christmas spirit!

A hug in a cup

Apple of my eye

Also apple of my eye!