Break Free, Challenge #86 plus more

I surprised myself today. Not only did I finally finish the autumn leaf that I started last Saturday at our New England CZT group get-together, but I also got to this week's Diva Challenge. This week we were to "break free", jump the fence, go beyond....  I wasn't sure  how to go about this, but I began with Squid and extended it a little. It wasn't much of a jump, but it's a start. Here's the result of the tile:

 And here's my leaf:

I like the leaf, and will do some more. It has a background of watercolor with added salt.

I had a very busy week. Last weekend I went to that NE CZT get-together over in New Hampshire on Saturday then taught a small class locally at the Blue Gentian Lodge. One of the women from the class taught at the Jr. High School in Bethany, CT where I went to school! I never had her as a teacher (I don't think), but she taught my friend Cindy. What a hoot! We had a wonderful time tangling and reminiscing.

Wednesday I taught a zentangle class at the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, VT to 7 women and 1 young man. Another wonderful class. I do enjoy teaching. Luckily my friend Dana came along to help me out. It was great to have her there and she was able to take some pictures!

And of course, I also went to work this week at our local elementary school. It was a busy, but pretty quick week. Thursday I go off campus with a student and I was able to learn how to use the hydraulic machine that makes ceramic plates. Way cool.

Tomorrow I travel to Brattleboro to meet up with a friend, Barbara Gunion from CO.  We met at the CZT training in May 2011 and she happens to be visiting her parents for their anniversary. It will be wonderful to see her again! We will be meeting also with another VT CZT, Sadelle Wiltshire.

Here's to a quiet week......

Brayd Challenge

I'm back. Summer is just too much fun. I've got a lot going on and seem to not get to Laura's Diva Challenge, BUT this week I did manage it.....tonight, with just minutes to spare. Our challenge was to create a zentangle using the Brayd tangle by Shelly Beauch. Shelly said that we start with a Mooka - like string, so I did. I'm not sure I did it justice, but it is the beginning.  I was beginning to create a grid pattern but wanted to keep it simple. Less is more. The brayd reminds me of almonds. I will be working on this tangle again in the near future.

Here we go:

Last week I taught an ALL DAY Zentangle class at Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts in Ludlow, VT. Yes, all day.... 9-5. I had three wonderful students and we had a great time. I do enjoy teaching a longer class, usually Zentangle classes run for 2-2 1/2 hours. Seven hours gives us a chance to delve a little deeper. It is amazing how quickly the day goes.

Monday I started an online class by Carla Sonheim called Watercolor Transfer Paintings. It was great fun to create something entirely new using mixed media and t-shirt transfer paper. Here are some of the work I made:

Watercolors and pen then ironed canvas.

Collaged transfer paper ironed on paper then watercolor added.

Pieced together face using scraps.

Four layers of transfer paper ironed on canvas.

Yes, I did enjoy trying something new. I think that it's good to step outside the box. I've got some good ideas that I want to try. I think that I need summer to last a few months longer so I can do all the things I want to do.

I'll be back soon with some different creations.

Have a wonderful week!!