This week’s Diva challenge was to use Jane Eileen’s ‘8s Parte Dos’. I really like it, but I found it a little tricky because every time I thought I had connected all the dot…

I believe I have come up with a new tangle! I am calling it 4MOM. You can see why in the stepouts. I made it to share with some of my Zen friends including Alice Hendon for Mother's Day. It is just two steps, and then you may play with it, if you wish. Mix and match the patterns, or make your own to go in the first two steps. Have fun, and Happy Mother's Day to all of you. If you would like to see what Alice did with 4MOM, you can see it here: http://www.thecreatorsleaf.com/2015/05/4mom-jane-eileens-new-tangle.html Be prepared to stay awhile when you go. She has incredible Zen art there, because that's how she rolls! Update: You can now find my tangle 4MOM on tanglepatterns.com here: http://tanglepatterns.com/2015/05/how-to-draw-4mom.html UPDATE 11.25.15 : IF you would like to join a facebook group where we share our love of tangling in journals, here is a link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761892257271670/ A couple of weeks ago, I started a new tangling group on facebook and everyone is welcome to come take a peek and see what is going on. As of today, almost 500 people are there looking at the art of the members, leaving comments, and posting their art. There are weekly ideas for participation, but they are optional,. Starting Dec. 1 and running all the way through Dec. 25, 2015, there will be one or more tangle artists with one or more of their tangles, every single day, ones that have never appeared on tanglepatterns.com. They will be providing the stepouts for these tangles, so if you are a tangler, you won't want to miss this. Besides all that fun, members post their work when they like, whatever tangling they have in their journals, so that is always fun, too. News: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ORDERING THE TANGLE A DAY CALENDAR FOR 2018, I have them available for preorder in my etsy shop now, until they are sold out. janeeileen.etsy.com I should be receiving them after October 10, and plan to ship the day after they arrive on my doorstep. Shipping is only $3.50 to the USA. This year's calendar features the artwork of artist extraordinaire, Margaret Bremner. To see examples of her work, go here. http://enthusiasticartist.blogspot.com/ Each day of the year offers a space for creating Zentangle-inspired art. Use the calendar as a tool for some Zentangle relaxation time, a workbook for learning new tangles, or creating a visual art diary for 2018. Each month is illustrated with a step-out that explores the use of fragments and grids. Each 8” x 5” page is printed on cover stock that takes Sakura Micron pen with ease! Here below are a few photos showing how I have used 4MOM so far. You can see how I have mixed some of the designs in my variations in these pieces.

Fleeting Time features My new tangle Knobby Fesue I.Am, 7F5R Tea & Tangle Tuesday, YouTube video tuts Eva Wu, Ria Matheussen, Shie Naritomi, Akebia

French Artist Celiline describes herself as a non professional Artist, that said she would love to make this love of hers into a full time job. She uses her Moleskine book to produce Illustrations, Doodles, Drawings and Zentangles. Zentangles are attained by repeating patterns to create an overall design. These drawings are becoming very popular, not only their production, but also the colouring-in, that is seen as relaxing and distressing, sometimes used as a therapeutic tool. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it. Press the Image to Enlarge it.

Unemployment sucks. Let’s take advantage of it by doodling our brains out.

Two quotes caught my eye recently: Small things, done consistently, in strategic places, create major impact. What are [your] top 'small things' right now? — David Allen: Author and productivity consultant Great acts are made up of small deeds. — Lao Tzu: Philosopher When I (Rick) read those quotes, it was natural for me to think of individual strokes in a Zentangle creation. Each stroke is a small thing. Each Zentangle creation is made up of small individual strokes. Then I thought of our Zentangle slogan . . . . . . and I realized that not only is anything possible, one stroke at a time, but that most things are ONLY possible, one stroke at a time . . . at least for me. My activities are more successful and certainly more mindful and enjoyable when I am able to do them one at a time. However, there is a Zentangle paradox at work here, too: When you can't concentrate at all, creating something in a Zentangle way can help your concentration. Some weeks after after Maria and I had given a Zentangle workshop at our local book store, a woman stopped us on the street. She said she regularly went to church with her two sons. She also said she never remembered the sermon, but continued to go for her sons' benefit. One Sunday she was sitting in church and thought to herself, "I'm not going to remember anything so I might as well tangle!" So she took out a Zentangle tile, a pencil and a pen and tangled during the sermon. "I remembered everything he said! . . . for the first time ever!" So, however small a thing you may be doing (or thinking, or saying, or planning, or . . .), appreciate and savor it, "one stroke at a time." And if the tumbling tumult of (seemingly) big things becomes too distracting, grab your Zentangle tiles and tools and treat yourself to a Zentangle moment. Click image for larger view of small strokes.