Today’s happiness is brought to you by receiving the very first present for my upcoming 48th birthday! No, I didn’t open it… I was warned that it was coming and instructed to leave it until January 1st, so I’ve tucked it away and will try to forget about it until then. But just receiving it made me happy – there’s nothing quite like the anticipation of opening a gift to make you feel like an excited kid again!
There’s only a few weeks to go until the big day. I can wait that long, right?!
→ The 100 Happy Days web site
→ My 100 Happy Days posts
Now for some tangling goodness, as it’s Tangled Tuesday!
Tangling Goodies
A few weeks ago, hungry for new tangle patterns to learn after finishing the last of the Zentangle®1 books in my possession (which happened to be AlphaTangle: A Truly Tangled Alphabet by Sandy Steen Bartholomew), I went on an internet hunt and came across a treasure trove of inspiration sketchbooks on Etsy from the same artist. I purchased The Tangles of Kells to start with, and have tucked a reminder about the others in the back of my mind for when I’m ready for more. Fun stuff!
New Tangles
This week I learned Arukas, Pozer, and Butter, all from TanglePatterns.com. I also learned Stix, Arball, Quill, and Roller, all from The Tangles of Kells.
Tangling-in-Progress
You know, I actually ended up putting aside the 8″ x 10″ ZIA I started a few weeks ago (there’s an in-progress picture in this post, in case you missed it), as I just wasn’t feeling it. I’m not sure why, exactly, but perhaps I’ll have more success when I return to it at some future point.
In the meantime, though, I started a new 8″ x 10″ ZIA which is really clicking with me, and which I’m having a tough time NOT working on in every spare minute (leading to complaints about my oh-so-stiff neck)! Here are a few in-progress photos (no shading yet) so you can get an idea of how it’s developing so far.
No idea why this piece is working out for me better than the last one did, but I suppose that’s art for you!
Finished Projects
The Diva’s Challenge this week focused on the new Arukas tangle. Rather convenient for me, since I just learned it a few days ago!
When I learned Arukas, I only did one stand-alone design in each practice box, so for the challenge I decided to try including multiple designs on one tile. Here is the result:
As always, it was a valuable exercise. Though it didn’t turn out quite the way I’d hoped it would, it was great to play around with this particular tangle pattern, as I realized several missteps that I wouldn’t do again when combining multiple designs on one piece.
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.

Nice Arukas tile. I love the multiple ones you used. The large piece is coming along quite nicely. I hope you share it when you are done.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 9, 2014
Thank you very much – I will indeed!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 32 + 100 Happy Days – Day 88
I am looking forward to beginning this year’s shopping, maybe as early as this weekend. I have received one present early, from my brother. He said, “Here, try this one,” and I did, and now I wear it every day. It is a seasonal vest.
Myke Todd recently posted… Snow Angel Suite (for Paula Dawn)
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 10, 2014
I am SO behind on my shopping. This weekend, for sure!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Review & Giveaway: Gifts & Goodies from Zazzle #zazzlemade
Twitter: RamblinGarden
December 9, 2014
I enjoy seeing your art. I went on Amazon to investigate books about Zentangle and ran across a review of one book by a woman who has used Zentangle as a type of physical therapy. I put that book on my wish list. Will see if I ever go back to it.
Alana recently posted… One Sunday Away
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 10, 2014
I hope you do give it a try – it’s so much fun. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Review & Giveaway: Gifts & Goodies from Zazzle #zazzlemade
I have mild arthritis in the neck from bad posture. working on the laptop doesn’t help, but thank goodness for massages and physical therapy. Take good care of yourself.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 10, 2014
That’s what I need – a good massage!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Review & Giveaway: Gifts & Goodies from Zazzle #zazzlemade
I love the new 8x 10 you’re whirling in. It looks very happy. You do great tangling work. I’d like to get beget with some tangling myself. Well, actually like to get some done. Maybe once we really settle in.
Early birthday presents are happy bringing events, even if you can’t open it yet! 🙂
Life Breath Present recently posted… Cosmo Camp Giveaway – Learning + $50iTunes card
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 10, 2014
Yes indeed – gives me something fun to look forward to!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Review & Giveaway: Gifts & Goodies from Zazzle #zazzlemade
Twitter: nabanita21
December 10, 2014
As always love your tangles…But how can you not open the gift? I could have never kept it aside 😀
nabanita recently posted… An Italian Summer
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 10, 2014
LOL, a good opportunity to practice self-control!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Review & Giveaway: Gifts & Goodies from Zazzle #zazzlemade
Twitter: pravs
December 10, 2014
That takes a lot of willpower to NOT open a gift 😀
PhenoMenon
http://throodalookingglass.com/2014/12/violin/
PhenoMenon recently posted… Violin
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 10, 2014
LOL, I think so!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Review & Giveaway: Gifts & Goodies from Zazzle #zazzlemade
Twitter: ellytreehugger
December 10, 2014
Happy Birthday Laurel whenever it is! 😉 And I wonder, did you write a book…is that the gift? 😉 Your patterns are so amazing as they always are! 🙂 <3
elly stornebrink recently posted… December 10: Human Rights Day
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 10, 2014
LOL, no, definitely not! I can blog every day, but I really don’t think I have a book in me. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Review & Giveaway: Gifts & Goodies from Zazzle #zazzlemade
Twitter: writercat
December 10, 2014
I love your Zentangles, Laurel. So beautiful and intricate. You really have a flair for doing them. It was fun to read about how you got started. I keep thinking I’d like to try them. Something to add to my list in the new year.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 10, 2014
Thank you so much! I really hope you do give tangling a try – I’ll bet you’d enjoy it. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Review & Giveaway: Gifts & Goodies from Zazzle #zazzlemade
That’s a nice and stong Arukas-tile!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 10, 2014
Thank you very much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Review & Giveaway: Gifts & Goodies from Zazzle #zazzlemade
Twitter: thisyearinmusic
December 10, 2014
I really like the idea of Zentangles!
Nick #thisyearinmusic recently posted… 10/12/2014 – Jaga Jazzist-Banafluer Overalt (Clark Remix) (2014)
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 10, 2014
They’re a lot of fun, that’s for sure!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Review & Giveaway: Gifts & Goodies from Zazzle #zazzlemade
I will be facing the same temptation when my Christmas present comes from Amazon.com. It is something that I really want and have wanted for years. I am SO EXCITED. As always…I love seeing your tangles. I need to tangle, just have been so busy. But I need to MAKE time! lol
Kathy Combs recently posted… Sweet Relief
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 10, 2014
Oooh, intriguing! Well, at least Christmas is a little bit closer than my birthday, so you’ll get to open it soon!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Review & Giveaway: Gifts & Goodies from Zazzle #zazzlemade
Very nice challenge-tile and beautiful ZIA 🙂
Lily recently posted… Diva’s Weekly Challenge #197: “New Official Tangle – Arukas”
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 14, 2014
Thank you very much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 59 (and something NEW!) + 100 Happy Days – Day 93
Twitter: vinithadileep
December 11, 2014
Advanced Birthday wishes, Laurel. I don’t have whatever it takes to not open the gift. Whenever it is my birthday I start bugging my husband about the gift he plans on giving me. I don’t even have that much patience when it comes to gift. 🙂 The patterns are beautiful.:)
Vinitha recently posted… A SNEAK FROM THE PAST – 3
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 14, 2014
LOL, I’m just trying to forget all about it until my birthday!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 59 (and something NEW!) + 100 Happy Days – Day 93
Ah….deferred gratification….enjoy the waiting! LOL! Loving your beautiful work today, arukas was done so well. I do well with one, but the combining is hard…my desk is strewn with practice pieces. ha!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 14, 2014
Thank you so much, Lynell!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 59 (and something NEW!) + 100 Happy Days – Day 93
Your Arukas are very elegant and put in a great design.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 14, 2014
Thank you very much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 59 (and something NEW!) + 100 Happy Days – Day 93
Love the patterns you made and I am so curious about the gift in the box 🙂
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 14, 2014
LOL, me too – I can’t wait!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 59 (and something NEW!) + 100 Happy Days – Day 93
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