Tag Tuesday - Zentangle Alphabet W, X and Y

I am a bit behind with the challenge again.  Apologies for  posting 3 tags in one week.  I really can't believe it is the final week of the Alphabet next week.  Where is the time going this year?

Here is my W tag.  When I looked up the patterns associated with this letter there were 2 plus the colour of the tag 'Sea Glass' and that took me down the Water theme appropriate for W too!

The watery pattern is called WAVES, the seaweed is WIST and the fishes scales are WARPED EGGS.  I added a touch of watery shine with my glossy accents.

My X tag fell on the lovely bright blue colour SALTY OCEAN and as you can imagine there were only a few patterns beginning with the letter X.  It was the colour that made me decide to turn my patterns into tiles as the colour reminded me of Moroccan tiles.  More glossy accents to get that tile effect.  The patterns I proacticed are X (simple to write but not to draw!) and XENSO.

....and last but not least is my Y tag which is covered by one pattern, Y-FULL.  I enjoyed drawing this one.  When I flick through all my tags I find that I am drawn to the patterns that have a woven look an almost 3D quality to them.  This fab pattern was designed by the lovely Shoshi a blogging friend who is a skilled Zentangler.   This pattern was the first one she designed.   I am not sure I am quite up to designing a pattern myself yet but I will keep practicing!

I though as we are nearing the end of our Alphabet challenge that I would make a video as I caught up with my tags so if you want to see how I work then please take a look. 

When I was watching this video through I kept seeing glimpses of my sleeve and it almost appears I am wearing a Zentangle patterned blouse!

I am looking forward to seeing everyones collections of tags when we finish our Tag Tuesday Alphabet Challenge next week and I hope to have a home for mine to show you too....though the way time is behaving at the moment I am not promising!!!!

Hope you are having a fun week and that the sun is shining on you - I have my fleecy on again!

Thank you for popping by X

Tag Tuesday Alphabet - The Letter S

This tag was inspired by a blog friend of mine, Shoshi.  She created the Zentangle pattern SPAWN and I wanted to use it on my tag this week and the tadpole pattern inspired the rest of the design.  It seemed apt to me to place SPAWN in water and then this Lily pond tag appeared!  I used the dragonfly template from my Zentangle card blanks that I sell on line and they fit perfectly as embellishments on my tag.

The other patterns this week are; on the lily pads SNAYLZ TRAYL, in the sky SUNRAY and on the dragon flies wings SHARDS.  If you want to see one of Shoshi's gorgeous Zentangle pieces then please visit her blog.  She has a much more expert hand and delicate hand than me!

I found a really cool irridescent ribbon in my stash that pulled up into a lovely bow to top off my tag and match the Glittery Stickles I used on my fluttering dragonfly wings.

As I was downloading the photo of my tag I also down loaded some photos of our dog Comet that I took this morning in the park and I just had to share this one!

Look at him.....butter wouldn't melt ;-)  Don't worry though a little while later and after a dip in the stream.......

......and a really big shake!  Hey Presto back to white doggy again!  If a little soggy doggy!

If you want to see more tags inspired by the Alphabet then please follow this link to Tag Tuesday.

Thank you for popping by X

Tag Tuesday on a Wednesday!

Who Stole Tuesday???!!!! ;-)

Here is my tag for the Letter R.  I made a spinner tag - can you tell I have just learnt how to make these?....they feature in my card class this week too!  Pass on the knowledge I say.  I am going to make a video of this fun embellishment to a project.  Another thing for the to do list.

There is only one R pattern on this tag and it is RAGZ but I did do two variations of it.  I like the one with the little rivets on it as it looks a bit industrial.  As I said before I made spinners in my tag and I tried to use the Vine app to make a small video of the spinners spinning - but alas although I managed to make the video I cannot seem to find how to get it on my blog.  I know it can be done but cannot work it out at the moment....watch this space!

As I turned my tag over to put the ribbons in I realised I had made a boo boo!  I stuck my tag to the wrong side of its green tag!  What a numpty ;-)  As I couldn't make the video I am sharing the out takes!!

Now I popping to Tag Tuesday to see what the letter R has inspired in the tag art world and then it is time to write my class tutorials....busy, busy.  Thanks for popping by x

I just found the Vine Video when I uploaded some photos from my phone so I hope this is going to work!

It's not HD but you can see the spin!

Tag Tuesday - Letter Q

Hi everyone.  I did think I might have trouble with the letter Q and this weeks alphabet tag.  There are not as many words that begin with Q so I thought I might have the same problems with Zentangle Patterns ........but no there were 3 Q Patterns and I have used them all on my tag this week.  QUANDARY is on the top bow, QUILTZ on the bottom and my favourite this wee (coz it was easy peasy!) was QUEEN'S CROWN which I made a frame around my tag with.

My other inspiration was of course origami paper bows!  I have made tons since I learnt how to make them last weekend!!!  I think I am just about bowed out for a while but they made a cute embellishment on my tag this week.

I made a little fast forward video of this one if you care to follow this link (for some reason the usual direct link to You Tube isn't cooperating today!).

On the subject of tags.  I was blog hopping and found some gorgeous tags inspired by Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 and thanks to Theresa  I am hooked again.  If you want to pop along and see what I mean follow this link.   I am working on my catch up tags and am looking forward to playing along again on the 1st of May.  I think its official I am a tagaholic because I am also creating some online classes for some of the tags I made last year!  Gotta love a tag!  If you love tags to then why not follow this link and visit a lovely bunch of tag artists also inspired by the letter Q this week.

Thanks for popping by X

Tag Tuesday - O Tag

I had a bit of a scare today as when I clicked on the Zentangle Pattern site I have been using to make my tags there were no O patterns.  Oh no I started to panic and then they appeared - just a slow page load ;-)  I thought for a minute I might have to make my own pattern up.......Thinking about it I might just have to do that before my Tag Zentangle Pattern Alphabet is finished.

The sun is shining today though the wind is blowing too so it looks warmer than it is.  I like days like this to sit in the conservatory as it magnifies the warmth of the sun but no cold wind!!!  Makes you nod off if you are not careful though ;-)

Can you see my tag!  This is a bit of a camouflage shot but I thought it was fun.  Today I got to the green part of my Distress Ink Rainbow and so I decide to incorporate leaves in this tag design.  The background tag has the OOF pattern and it lives up to its name as that it what my eyes would have said when I got to the end of the patterning!!!

The leaves show the four stages of the OSKIE pattern and 4 shades of Shabby Shutters (much nicer than grey!)

I am off to make my lunch and then I am nipping over to Tag Tuesday to see what the letter O has inspired this week.  Click on the link and I'll see you over there.

Thanks for popping by.

Tag Tuesday - Letter M

I can't believe it is the letter M already.  Half way through the alphabet and 13 weeks into the year - time flies when you are having crafting fun.

The Zentangle patterns I tried my hand at this week were on the strips MEER and on the flowers MUMSY.  As I ended up with a lot of white space on my tag I decided to add a bit more of the lovely Scattered Straw Distress Ink and used my water brush to fade it out into the centres of the shapes and also added a touch of colour on the petals of the white flowers.  I coloured my ribbon to match my tag as I did not have a ribbon in this lovely creamy shade of yellow.

If you want to see more tags then please follow this link to Tag Tuesday.  Why not play along.

Thanks for popping by X

Tag Tuesday J Tag is running late!!!!

I can see from my blog I have been missing in action as I haven't posted for over a week!  I am surrounded by lots of lovely Graphic 45 papers and.....shhhhhh keep it under your hat but I am going to audition for the Graphic 45 Design Team.

I am so nervous, excited and a little bit.....shaking in my shoes....well actually my fluffy socks right now.  Hence I am a bad blogger and tagger well at least until I get my audition projects finished and posted!

I did make this weeks tag just before I started with the mayhem but still didn't get time to post it so here is my J Tag for Tag Thursday!!!! ;-)

My J patterns this week are top left - JITTERS, Middle left - JELLY ROLL, Middle right - JONQUAL, Bottom Left - JALOUSIE and the ribbon is JAX.  This week I tried adding a little colour to my Zentangles and I am particularly pleased with the shading I managed to achieve on the Jalousie pattern.  I have had those copper embellishments since forever and finally they have found a home!  They always remind me of Jelly Fish I am not sure why but it is appropriate that they are now swimming on my J tag!

Am I loosing grip on reality? ;-)  I may well be by the time I have to submit my audition!  Keep everything crossed for me and keep a big Blog hug on standby as I might be in need of it!!!!

Thank you for popping by X

Tag Tuesday Alphabet - H and D

Is it Tuesday again already!  How time flies.  I think it is an age thing. ;-)  Here are my tags for this week and finally I am all caught up!  

My D 'catch up' tag is all bejewelled and one side of the tag as black pen on white card and on the other side has white pen on black.  This was quite fun to try and makes you think a bit more about what you can do with your Zentangle patterns.  The patterns for this tag are from the top - Demi, Daggerly, DL Sunray and Drip Drop.

My H tag was entirely worked on Black and it looks very striking on the red background.  The patterns are on the left - Hypnotic, the ribbon is Half Onions and on the right of the tag is Hibred.  Some of the pattern names are fab - Who knew Half Onions wouldn't make you cry!!!

As I promised last week this is the back of all my tags so far.  I am making a lovely Distress Ink Rainbow and I have recorded all the pattern names so that I can use them again one day.  I have a plan to display my tags but I am keeping that under wraps for the final week of this fun Tag Alphabet.

If you like tags and want to see what others have been making for their Tag Alphabet please follow this link to Tag Tuesday.  I may well see you there!!

Oooo mustn't forget this link - If you like Zentangling or want to try it then this is the place to start - a great reference of patterns with full tutorials.

Thank you for popping by x

Tag Tuesday the Alphabet continues....

Here are my tangle tags for this weeks Tag Tuesday - I have G and the catch up letter C.  I am really glad I decided on this theme for my Alphabet of tags as I have been having great fun finding new patterns to try out.  One more week and I will catch up with my late tags!

The C tag Patterns are...... on the right - Camelia,  on the top left - Chemistery, bottom left Candle Glow and my favourite on this tag is the pretty ribbon pattern - Chainlea.

The patterns on the G tag are top right - Gingham and bottom left - Girdy.  I love the 3D look of this pattern.  Makes you feel like you are at the top of a tall structure looking down into the depths!  I tried out the cute stamps my Mum gave me this Christmas from Craftwork Cards that are designed to stamp letters on card candy - cool!  I can see lots of used for these - Thanks  Mum x

Next week when I catch up with my final missing letter I will show you the backs of my tags so you can see how I am cataloging the patterns I am using and how my Distress Ink rainbow is taking shape!

I am finding this project very therapeutic indeed - there is nothing like concentrating on a pattern to free your mind from day to day stuff for a while!  Who needs therapy when you have art????  I have just looked that up on the internet to see if I can claim that as a quote!!  I found out that art therapist is a job so I think that proves my quote - I can't find that anyone has it listed as a quote (time will tell) but in the mean time do I have to be quoted to make it a quote?  For it to be more than a sentence in my blog.......ouch I think I need more art!

Who needs therapy when you have art - Helen Allen

You can quote me on that :-)

Thanks for popping by X

WOYWW 193

Hello, Hello, How is everyone today?  I am feeling sleepy and underdressed to be visiting but I think you won't mind a pink fluffy visitor....well at least until I have had my breakfast....add hungry to the list :-)

On my desk today there seems to be lots of colour.....

I am working on patterns beginning with the letter D for my Tag Tuesday Alphabet Tags.  I was a bit late starting the challenge but I am catching up and enjoying learning new Zentangle patterns in the process.  I am using my Distress inks to back each of my tags so I end up with a Distress ink rainbow when all 26 tags are finished.  The stack of inks are waiting for me to colour the rest of the backing tags as you can see I have already worked on the reds and pinks.  Also on my desk are the final 3 ink pads I got in the post last week that complete my collection....Yippeee!!!  I think I am going to collect the stains next as I love using them to colour the edges of chipboard and splatting them.  If you have never splatted a Distress Stain I say do!!!!  Don't wear your bestest clothes though and splat where there are no treasured works of art!  But it is a really satisfying thing to do - therapeutic even!  I don't get out much ;-)

Further along my desk I have two layouts waiting to be journaled upon and put away and one Tinkerbell card I need to find a home for.  I might frame her and hang her on my wall.  She is resting on a great teach yourself to draw fairies book.

This is a layout I took all Saturday at the crop to complete - I think I talked a little bit and drank coffee a little bit and ate a little bit too!  This layout is of me and my little bro in our school photo.  I have no idea why we had a fishy backdrop but I am glad we did as I got to use a couple of the Yummy Graphic 45 Tropical Travelogue papers.  Check out those fabulous felt flowers in the corner they were courtesy of my pal Deb who has a fab new die and aren't they just perfect (Thanks Deb x)

And finally the layout I managed to complete at last months crop!!!  See the little envelopes.  I am going to write things about me in them......eventually.  I have to thank another friend for those - Joy was having a clear out and I espied a punch that makes these darling envelopes.  How come everything is so much cuter small????  I know I would be ;-)

I have been since we last met.   I may be making up for the chatting at the crop!!  I has a making up of card samples and packs as I taught Friday Night.  I posted my 3rd Trash to Treasure post and then posted part 2 with the card I am going to give away pop along and comment if you want to be in it to win it!  I made a video tutorial for that one if you want to take a look.  I posted to Tag Tuesday and I finally got my second pattern of 10 card designs and 14 videos into my shop yesterday!  No wonder I am tired this morning...phew.  Today I will be valentine -ing and then back to the tutorials for my third shop project which I had such lovely feedback for  last week - thank you so much.   Callum was 14 yesterday and he loved his Pyramid Mini - especially as he found treasure as he opened it up!!  Isn't it funny how some weeks you seem to coast and some you just don't know were you managed to fit it all in.

Well I suppose I really shouldn't inflict myself you without being a bit presentable so I had better post this and see what number I end up at this week.  Then I am off to get dressed before I come visiting.  I might even put on some lippy!

If you are wondering what this post is all about and why I am describing what is on my desk today then you really do need to follow this link to Julia's desk to find out more!

My desk is your desk ........ or should that be ........Your desk is my desk!!!

Thanks for popping by x

Tag Tuesday

This is my first Tag Tuesday post this year.  As more and more of my time is spent on my new business I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to be part of the lovely Tag Tuesday team this year.  I didn't want to give it up but I knew I couldn't spend the time I did last year having fun with all the 3D tags I made.  Then thanks to some inspiration provided by fellow tag team mate (sounds like we wrestle!!) Arnold when I visited his blog and saw a lovely zentangle card he had made I knew what I wanted to do for the Alphabet theme.  I am late out of the starting blocks I know but here is my E tag and my catch up A tag!

Zentangle Pattern Alphabet Tags

I am going to work on a Zentangle Pattern Alphabet!  I am fairly new to Zentangling and I do enjoy the relaxation of it.  I need more practice and I need to know more patterns and so each of my tags will feature patterns beginning with the letter of the week and I will catalogue them on the back so I can find them again if I want to use them on a project.  I am also going to use my Distress Inks to create a rainbow effect when all my tags are gathered together.

I am not sure how I am going to display them yet but I was thinking a carousel or hanging rack so I can leaf through them easily.

I was going to have a coffee and go and see what my fellow tag artists over at Tag Tuesday have been up to this week but I have to go mop up a plumbing leak first!!!!  As I was typing this there was a strange banging noise and water is coming through the ceiling in the Downstairs loo.  A radiator has rusted through in the bathroom upstairs and has sprung a leak everywhere :-(  Can you believe it???? It would happen just as the weather has turned icy again????  Deep breath - good job I did all that zentangling and I am calm, I am calm, I am calmish........I am fed up that my coffee is going to get cold and me too if we don't get the heating back on soon!!!!!