2011 - January Rewind

The gang over at the Creative Collective have invited people to take up the challenge of the 'January Rewind'. It's aim to reflect over what happened in 2011 and think about the highs and lows. So lets go back down memory lane.



THE HIGHLIGHTS
January
5th - I crocheted my very first amigurumi soft toy. I crocheted this little robot dog for my mum. She now carries it in her bag for good luck.
30th - I attended my first Zentangle TM lesson. Conducted by one of the 2 official Zentangle teachers. I found the whole experience relaxing, fun and very inspiring. I still use Zentangle to help me get to sleep.

March
4th - My products were excepted into a retail shop. Seeing my products in the Curious Oyster Shoppe was such a super boost.
30th - Visiting the Melbourne Finders Keepers. Once again I find it inspirational, fun and there are too many goodies that I want!

July
3rd - The Hottie Challenge. Even though I didn't participate, it was inspirational and amazing. I so hope there is one this year. I may even take up the challenge!!

August
4th - I had this old design, so I thought I would check out what it would be like on fabric. Pretty cool, thanks to Spoonflower
9th - By this happening, I fulfilled a bucket list dream. Getting my product printed in a magazine! Thank you Paperunway!

September
The last highlight was going to England, seeing my mother-in-law and sweet friend Sam.

THE LOW-LIGHTS
December
My mother-in-law died. Hubby and I had to rush back to England, to organise funeral and pack the house up. A very stressful and sad time.
Christmas Day - The storms that hit Melbourne. We were ok, air-con flooded. But we came out of it easily, compared to some people.

Overall I look at 2011. It had its high times, but I didn't achieve everything I wanted to do, for many reasons. Lets hope 2012 is better.

Why don't you join the January Rewind too.

Zentangle to paper

Been a little quiet lately due to having the flu. It was annoying, body sick, but the brain wide awake and wanting to do projects. However just before the flu entered the building I managed to do a little project.

I transformed a Zentangle TM pattern into a paper pattern. This particular Zentangle is called 'Betweed'. I love this one. It's relaxing and repetitive. The process was to draw Betweed, then cut it out. Then trace it on Christina Re paper and Japanese Paper. I thought of quilting when I was doing this. Is it a similar process?

Once the paper cut out and then stuck on board. I placed it in a frame. Instant art. I was very happy with final product.

If you want to learn more about Zentangle, contact Australian Certified Zentangle Teacher, Kass Hall here

My Creative Space......

Recently I have been using the art of Zentangle TM as a way to slow down before bed time. So every night I have my routine of hot chocolate and learn a new Zentangle pattern.

Here I'm creating a large Zentangle piece for my mum, hope she likes it. To see more creative spaces, pop over to Kootoyoo

Zentangle...... a journey to calmness

The beginning of my journey

Getting there....

3 Completed Zentangles

Yesterday I had the pleasure in taking part in a beginners class for Zentangle TM. The class was conducted by the lovely and enthusiastic certified Zentangle teacher, Kass Hall.

The class was conducted in the famous Nicholas Building in Melbourne, which has a high reputation of housing many art studios, quirky shops and it just oozes creativity.

I fully admit I was very nervous doing this course, I am not an illustrator, (I am a computer person). I will be lucky if I can draw a decent stick figure. :-) However Kass was very encouraging and stressed you don't have to know how to draw. Just relax, experiment and have fun!

Anyway I hear you say, what is Zentangle? It originated in America, and from what I can gather it's big over there, and just hitting the shores of Australia. Zentangle TM, is "an art form and Zentangle is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life"....."inspired invention and offspring of Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts." To read more about it, go here

Getting back to the course. Kass Hall, explained the history of Zentangle, it's positive effects on ones self and then proceeded to teach us all the steps.

I loved it! I found the whole process so relaxing and a little boost. Funny when going home on the train, I saw some kids with very large lolly pops. I was imagining what Zentangle would look like within a shape of a lolly pop. And of course just before bed I tried some more Zentangle and completed it this morning.

If you want to enroll in a beginners class please contact Kass Hall. I am hoping to do some advance classes with her in the future.