Today’s happiness is brought to you by the annual (and very exciting!) appearance of my own personal “Yes, the holidays are coming!” sign – opening my mailbox and finding that this year’s Lee Valley Christmas Gift Catalog had been delivered!
I was actually half tempted to leave the mail in the box today (it’s COLD out there!), but as I received a courier delivery from the office I had to choice but to open the door. Well, I’m glad I did, as I now have a relaxing evening of hot chocolate and catalog-browsing to look forward to. Happy indeed!
So, what’s the first thing that tells you the holidays are coming? Do share!
→ The 100 Happy Days web site
→ My 100 Happy Days posts
Now, on to Tangled Tuesday. First off, here’s what I didn’t do this week:
- Learn any new tangle patterns. (I’ve finished all of my Zentangle®1 books, so am feeling a bit undecided as to where to go from here. Maybe it’s time for a book shopping trip? Though there really aren’t many left that I specifically want!)
- Participate in The Diva’s Weekly Challenge. (I tried – I really did – but this week’s challenge was to tangle a tile using only your non-dominant hand… and apparently my left hand just doesn’t function for drawing! I really appreciate the sentiment behind the challenge – have a look at the challenge post and you’ll see what I mean – but it just didn’t work out for me. I’m ready to give it another shot next week, though!)
What I DID do, however, was to create my first winter/holiday-themed piece…
…and I am so, so pleased with how it turned out! I had such fun planning this one out, and though the tangling took many, many, MANY hours, the time seemed to fly by. (Well, if I’m going to be COMPLETELY honest, the colouring-in of the background bits did drag at times, particularly because my wrist kept cramping up on me… but the rest flew by!)
I’m undecided as to whether or not to try selling the original on Etsy, but in the meantime I’ve created a number of gifts and greeting cards featuring the design which are available on Ten Thousand Tangles. If you’re interested in something for yourself, or perhaps a gift for someone else – a greeting card? a mug? a tree ornament? some other little surprise goodie? – I invite you to grab a cup of your beverage of choice, take a few minutes to have a browse…
Holly & Snowflake Gifts & Greetings
…and accept my most sincere thanks for your support! 🙂
P.S.
Previous posts in this series are all tagged Tangled Tuesday.
For background on how I discovered and got involved in Zentangle, and links to further information and resources, check out my blog post For the love of tangling.
You can browse my entire tangle gallery at Ten Thousand Tangles.
And, if you’re interested in having a little piece of my art for yourself, please click on the GoFundMe button below for more information and also visit my Zazzle shop Ten Thousand Tangles. (Pssst… links to my international Ten Thousand Tangles shops are in the Alphabet Salad sidebar – just click on the appropriate flag and you’ll get to the place you need to be!)
So… what made you happy today?
Please share!
1The Zentangle® Method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is copyrighted. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.

On a somewhat related note, Wifey and I were at Walmart this weekend, and they had complimentary brochures of what they are selling this year in the Toys Department… Won’t that come in handy when the grand kids are over, on a day it is too cold or too rainy to go out of doors and play?
Myke Todd recently posted… Stolen (Sonnet for Lainey)
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2014
LOL, I’m sure they will LOVE that… as will your bank account!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 29 + 100 Happy Days – Day 67
Twitter: nabanita21
November 18, 2014
The piece is beautiful Laurel…And I love this time of the year too…Work is less as most of the clients go for holidays…I feel the holiday cheer too 🙂
nabanita recently posted… I’ve Got Something Important to Say…
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2014
Thank you very much! It’s nice when things get a bit quieter at work.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 29 + 100 Happy Days – Day 67
Christmas is round the corner and there is a festive spirit in the air..Have a nice time. Your tangles are beautiful!!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2014
Thank you very much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 29 + 100 Happy Days – Day 67
Twitter: ellytreehugger
November 19, 2014
That’s a beautiful snowflake zentangle Laurel. You must be so proud of that design! 😉 Interesting that you are so excited about Lee Valley as I only know them for gardening type supplies! 😉 The only sign of Christmas around the corner are Christmas window displays, though I have baked all my Christmas cookies in time – and early (starting Canadian Thanksgiving weekend!) this year! 😉 <3
elly stornebrink recently posted… From the Kindness of Strangers
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2014
Thank you so much! Actually, the Lee Valley Christmas Catalog has a lot more than just gardening or woodworking stuff – there really are some delightful (and sometimes rather unusual) gift ideas in it. You should check it out sometime!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 29 + 100 Happy Days – Day 67
Twitter: obsessivemom06
November 19, 2014
This one’s beautiful Laurel. Unbelievable that it’s been made by hand. With posts like yours Christmas seems to be almost here and I’m beginning to get all excited just as the kids.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2014
Thank you very much – it is an exciting time of the year!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 29 + 100 Happy Days – Day 67
Twitter: obsessivemom06
November 19, 2014
That is amazingly beautiful Laurel. Seems unbelievable that you made it. The festive spirit is fast settling in.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2014
Both of your posts went to the spam folder for some reason, but I managed to bring them back! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 29 + 100 Happy Days – Day 67
Twitter: vidyasury
November 19, 2014
Reminds me of those days when we would get so excited about receiving a magazine in the mail!
The zentangle is so pretty, Laurel!
Happy Holidays to you!
Vidya Sury recently posted… Do you #giveashit @worldtoiletday #ToiletForBabli @DomexIndia @UN_Water
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2014
I remember those days! I actually tried to get into reading magazines on my iPad, but it’s just not the same. Guess I’m old-fashioned that way!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 29 + 100 Happy Days – Day 67
Another lovely zentangle! I love leafing through catalogs too. I never order from them but I sure get ideas. 🙂
Kathy S Combs recently posted… The Money Pit
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2014
Thank you! They definitely are good for ideas and inspiration – especially if they’re a little quirky, like the Lee Valley one is.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 29 + 100 Happy Days – Day 67
I love receiving couriers… makes me so happy 😀
YOu finished all the books, wow!! Loved the snowflake design
Rajlakshmi recently posted… Sugar Rush
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 20, 2014
Thank you! I think it’s one of my favourites.
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Happy Days – Day 69
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