What day is it?

I'm really not doing a very good job with this blog of mine. I never anticipated blogging every day but hoped I could post at least 3-4 times a week. It just isn't happening for me right now. We have a lot going on and most of the time I am not even sure what day of the week it is!
When I start feeling stressed I tend to do several things:

• comfort shop
• eat too much chocolate!
• start several new projects instead of finishing ones half done
• procrastinating about even the smallest decisions
• Lose myself in a good book
• Withdraw
• sleep too much in the daytime
• don't sleep at night
• All of the above

Please tell me I am not the only one guilty of the above sins?
That was a rhetorical question, I know from experience that many of us do all those things and more. I know this time will pass and I am endeavouring to have some fun in my life until it does!
I blogged recently about my discovery of zentangles and zendoodling and am still enjoying this relaxing art form.

I have also recently ventured into the world of ATC's. (artist trading cards) If you are unfamiliar with ATC's you can read about them here. You can see examples of ATC's here.
There are lots of ATC galleries online, I just chose one randomly for this post.

Swallowing my anxiety about being 'good enough' I joined swapbot.
Swapbot is a website for people all over the world to register and join in swaps of all different kinds of things. I am currently doing my first swap of an ATC with two friends who kindly offered to get me started. I was super excited to receive my very first ATC in Friday's mail along with some pretty glitter and ATC sleeves from my friend shabby-jules who also keeps a couple of blogs. Jules is a very talented and creative lady. You can see some examples of her work on her craft blog here.
You will be GLAD you did!
This is the gorgeous ATC I received from Jules.

 
Isn't it just lovely? Our theme was nature. I can't show you the cards I made just yet as the ladies I am swapping with haven't received them and they might be peeking at my blog. (and that would spoil the surprise) I am hoping with practice my art/craft skills will improve and grow!
Does anyone here belong to swapbot? Make ATC's?

wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen

Oh what a tangled web ...

I'm probably way behind the eight ball as I usually am on trends, latest ideas, fashions etc. So some of you are sure to have already discovered what I am about to share on this blog post. I recently heard/read the term zentangle and not knowing what it mean't sent me scurrying to google to find out.
My understanding is that the term zentangle is copyrighted and refers to a particular art form as described
here.
Making a zentangle is supposed to be a form of meditation or at the least relaxation. The simplest way of describing the art work is that to me at least it seems to be upscaled doodling. I have read that most work shared online as zentangle's are actually tangles or doodles. Only certified teachers of the zentangle method can properly call their work zentangle's. Somebody feel free to correct me if I have this wrong.

I am sure we can all remember zoning out in class at High School and doodling in the margins of our books etc.After spending a whole afternoon following google links to zentangle tutorials, videos, tangle patterns, zendalas (a mix of mandala and zentangle) and falling in love with the zentangle images on google images I decided of course that I had to give this simple art form a go.

All that was required was good quality art paper, a pencil and a fine tip permanent marker.
The official zentangle site suggests specific tools and equipment but I used an artist sketch pad, a 2B pencil and a 0.4mm tip black marker successfully. Here is my first and rather ordinary result.

Using repetitive patterns is supposed to be relaxing and put your brain into a meditative state. I can see how this would happen with practice. Despite reading that there is no wrong way to zentangle I found my inner critic making herself heard whilst trying to just relax and get on with the process. I haven't given up though and plan to keep practicing. It was a lot of fun and I imagine in time your creative side would discover many new patterns and ways of incorporating them.

If all else fails there are websites and lots of photos online that share patterns and ideas. Some people even colour their art and some of these pieces looked stunning. Do a search for zentangle on utube and you will find a lot of videos to keep you busy for a few hours. I also found a few blogs featuring zentangles and zentangle inspired art. My poor first attempt looks pretty shoddy. I promise if you take a look at some of the links I have listed here you will be blown away by some of the art work.
Have a peek here.
and also here.
OR visit the 'official' zentangle blog here.

Have a go yourself, it's not hard, needs few materials and can take as little or as much time as you like! I know it will bring a little sunshine to your day!

wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen