More happy mail, and today’s is actually a tangling goodie! This time it’s a delightful looking book called Made in the Shade: a Zentangle Workbook, by Cris Letourneau. I can’t wait to get started on it!
I was particularly excited when I discovered this book, as the shading component of tangling is quite possibly my favourite part of the process. Seriously, effective shading can take something flat and make you think it’s jumping off the page, and this magic simply fascinates me!
At this point, when it comes to my art I am pretty much totally self-taught, and am always looking for new ways to hone my technique. I’m optimistic that Made in the Shade is going to take my shading to a whole new level. (And as a bonus, I noticed while flipping through the book that there are several new-to-me tangle patterns – with instructions! – included. ALWAYS a treat!)
→ The 100 Happy Days web site
→ My 100 Happy Days posts
Now on to still more happy Zentangle®1 goodness – because it’s Tangled Tuesday!
New Tangles
This week I learned Blink, Merryweather, Flovine, Zenfiddle, Cruffle, and Charlotte, all from TanglePatterns.com. A couple of these are just so pretty, and I can definitely see using them a LOT in future pieces.
Tangling-in-Progress
I’m still working on the 8″ x 10″ ZIA I started a couple of weeks ago (there’s an in-progress picture in this post, in case you missed it). I thought I’d finish it up this past week, but a section of the design is proving to be quite time-consuming – plus I got a little wrapped up in preparations for my new art journaling ventures (more on that to come, I’m sure – watch this space!), so… no. But what’s the rush? I’ll just take the time I need and enjoy the process.
Finished Projects
The Diva’s Challenge was all about the dolls this week! From the challenge page:
I invite you to be inspired by dolls like I have been. Awaken your inner child, and add some playtime to your tangling with a doll-shaped string, a tangled paper doll chain, or a tangled fabric doll. Do you have an old Barbie stuck in a trunk somewhere? I bet there’s a way to tangle her too.
So this is what I came up with.
Rather different from my usual work, no? That’s what I am enjoying about these challenges – the opportunity to stretch myself outside my usual comfortable boundaries and explore new methods and styles. The journey is not always easy, but it’s so very satisfying.
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 Ten Thousand Tangles shops on Society6 and Zazzle. (Pssst… links to my international Ten Thousand Tangles shops on Zazzle 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.

Twitter: joantruesuccess
December 2, 2014
Hi Laurel,
What a great idea! Great post 🙂 Always enjoy seeing what you got going on girl 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Joan Harrington recently posted… Drive Qualified Traffic to Your Blog
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 2, 2014
Thank you so much, Joan!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
I found Made in the Shade online, and it’s on my wish list. Shading is something I struggle with, so I hope it will help. I’ll be eager to see what you think of it!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 2, 2014
I’ll let you know!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
Twitter: gfhomestead
December 2, 2014
Oh, I like your doll inspired Zentangle! I’ve been thinking of planning a drawing time into my week… it helps the creative side. 🙂 So relaxing and rewarding at the same time if the drawing brings pleasure to others as well.
Barbara recently posted… Gluten Free Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 2, 2014
Thank you so much! It really is nice to be able to dedicate some time to art.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
I think your art is amazing! Keep it up! ♥
Kathy Combs recently posted… Give Haiku
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 2, 2014
Thank you, Kathy!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
Twitter: kohleyedme
December 2, 2014
You are very talented, Laurel! Keep up the good work. Learn more as I’, truly looking forward to it 🙂
Shalini recently posted… Nightmare
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 2, 2014
Thank you so much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
Twitter: nibhz14
December 2, 2014
Everytime I see you tangles I want to learn them even more. May be some day I do get the time to practice them!
Nibha recently posted… Somethings Go Missing Forever… But A Few Things Stay!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 2, 2014
I hope you do – it’s such fun!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
Very nice tile 🙂
Lily recently posted… Diva’s Weekly Challenge #196: All Dolled Up
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 2, 2014
Thank you!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
This is an original take on the challenge and works very well. The finery looks like ribs in a way, or is it just me?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 2, 2014
Thank you! When I showed my husband earlier he thought that part looked like a spine, so you’re both looking at it along the same lines, and I tend to agree! It’s funny – before I started drawing I thought of using Finery as a sort of bodice (as it’s always reminded me of one) – but as I progressed, the drawing took on a whole different feel. Typical!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
Twitter: RamblinGarden
December 2, 2014
I also thought I was seeing a spine. A spine of, perhaps, a long-ago discarded Barbie. With wings. I have a strange imagination.
Alana recently posted… Herbert Hoover and The Solar Eclipse
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 3, 2014
LOL, you have a great imagination!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
Twitter: nabanita21
December 2, 2014
Enjoy the tangles Laurel…
I love this new one….it’s diff as you say but there’s something about it..I can’t quite out my finger on it ..But great 🙂
nabanita recently posted… #MicroBlogMondays: A Challenge & Books I gotta Read!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 3, 2014
Thank you very much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
Beautiful!!!! Love the hair.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 3, 2014
Thank you so much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
Twitter: ellytreehugger
December 3, 2014
Maybe it’s because I read Shalini’s horrid nightmare before reading this post, but the zentangle of the doll looked a bit disturbing to me: a spine stuck with needles or the like…
elly stornebrink recently posted… 2nd Time Round: Liebster Award! Woohoo! 😉
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 3, 2014
Yikes!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
Your dolly’s hair is my favorite detail…I am just waiting for her to turn around with a mischievous wink! Love reading your blog!
lynell recently posted… Zensdays with Lynell and Wayne #5
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 3, 2014
Thank you so much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
Your tile looks very nice and the hair is amazing!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 3, 2014
Thank you very much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 31 + 100 Happy Days – Day 81
Waiting to see more of your art work! 🙂
Sheethal recently posted… Forgotten Memories
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 4, 2014
I will keep you all posted!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 16-30, 2014 + 100 Happy Days – Day 82
Twitter: Boomeresque
December 4, 2014
Laurel, a really interesting take on the Diva’s doll challenge. Quite a few people came up with angel responses, but your angel looks like she might be kind of sinister—or that’s all in the eye of the beholder, i.e. moi. In any case, she’s nicely tangled and I’ll try not to think about her when I’m trying to fall asleep 😉
Suzanne Fluhr recently posted… Yo – You Should Visit Philadelphia During the Winter Holiday Season
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
LOL, I certainly didn’t mean for her to be sinister! Hope you slept well. 😉
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
This is the most unique take on the doll challenge that I have seen! I love the boned corset/ribcage that your angel (?) is wearing. Very creative and imaginative. Can’t wait to watch this site and see what else you have in store for us. Great work!
LezliB recently posted… Diva Challenge # 196 ~ All Dolled Up!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
Thank you very much – I appreciate your kind words!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
Laurel, she’s beautiful! I absolutely love her back. It looks like an amazing corset. Your tangle selection is perfect. I hope you had fun. Thank you for playing with my challenge this week. 🙂
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 8, 2014
Thank you so much – I had a lot of fun with it! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… #MicroblogMondays 15 – Comforting Warmth + 100 Happy Days – Day 87
Trackbacks: