A Bit of Bubbly . . .

. . . for your New Year's Celebration.

Maria Writes:

I never manage to stay up until midnight on New Year's Eve, even when I was younger. It just never seemed to have the appeal . . . watching the ball fall.

When we go to parties, we are the first to leave. I love to go home. (Ironically, I love to go out, too!)

But home is the bees knees . . . great food . . . warm fires . . . great company (even when I am alone) . . . the best rest . . . and comfort and joy. Always comfort and joy.

Here's a bit of Zentangle technique I'd like to share with you. Something really simple that you may have already figured out, but I'll say it anyway. (Sometimes the most obvious is the one we just do not see.)

When you are tangling your favorite tangle and you want to add dimension (depth), character, contrast, or just some fun; instead of darkening the background, play with tiny orbs.

Starting around the perimeter of a space, draw the tiniest row of "orbs" (our word for circles) all around. Then the next row, just a smidge bigger orbs, then the next, you guessed it, a little bigger . . . and depending on the size of the space just keep going until you reach the center with the largest orb. Then shade around the edge . . . maybe the first two rows of small orbs and VOILA!

You have filled in a space with a tangle without even breaking a sweat. You can also go from large circles to small ones, too.

This is a great way to "tone" an area and increase your focus at the same time. Focus on keeping the orbs the size you want, increasing or decreasing them ever so subtly. It will result in a shell-like texture, especially with shading.

So give your Zentangle tile some "froth" and see what happens!

A Year of Health, Wealth, Happiness and Love to all our Zentangle friends.

Rick and Maria

Click images for more froth.