Tangle Refresher 241 – “Twelve Days of Zentangle”, our random string and how to draw Schway, Peace Out, Wigwag, Owline, Trumpets

Hi y’all! Well that was a quick week, hope all is well in your universe …

For today’s Refresher I thought we might like to get our holiday season project planning underway — if you haven’t already started that is. At least the rest of us can start thinking about it 😉

With thanks to CZT Linda Dochter for suggesting this post, “so others can find some of the cool holiday decorations and ornaments that can be done.”

Today we’re taking a look at the Twelve Days of Zentangle series from Zentangle HQ. This summary should give us plenty of time to check out the creative ideas explored in these projects and make some of them our own in time for the holidays.

BTW, for future reference this post can be found on the PROJECT PACKS tab on the pink alphabetic tangle menu bar since many of them involve Project Packs. As always you can find the Tangle Refresher posts on the GENERAL tab as well as in the TANGLES BY TYPE sidebar section using the tag refresher.

A Zentangle Christmas Tradition: "Twelve Days of Zentangle" Holiday Project Inspiration

The Twelve Days of Zentangle is an annual holiday tradition from Zentangle HQ begun in 2013 where Rick and Maria and the HQ crew lead us through twelve consecutive days of tangling together. In 2017 this series was combined with Zentangle's Project Packs.

In December of each year shown in the following list Zentangle HQ have published a 12-day themed series of posts or videos with cool project ideas for the holiday season. Check out the links for the "Twelve Day" series for HQ's creative inspiration to get your holiday projects underway.

1. December 2013: Ideas using ATC tiles (Zentangle ATC tiles are no longer available but the ideas can easily be adapted)
2. December 2014: [No series this year]
3. December 2015: Bijou and His Wise Bijouisms (Exploring a few of the 24 Bijouisms and "creating something fun with them")
4. December 2016: Introducing Zentangle's 3Z Tiles
5. December 2017: Project Pack #2 – A Stroll Down Memory Lane (Reminiscing about the tiles, tangles, and techniques of Zentangle's past)
6. December 2018: Project Pack #4 – Making a Zentangle Spinner (Making a tool to help choose tangles)
7. December 2019: Project Pack #7 – Light and Shadow (Introducing Zentangle's new Gray tiles)
8. December 2020: Project Pack #12 – Zentangle Renaissance (Exploring Zentangle's Renaissance tiles)
9. December 2021: Project Pack #16 – Keeping Score (Using an embossing stylus on Zentangle tiles)
10. December 2022: Project Pack #19 – Zentomology
11. December 2023: Project Pack #22 – Exploring the Spiral (Introducing Zentangle's new pre-strung 5xPhive and Phi tiles)
12. December 2024: Stay tuned.

 

Remember you can buy the Project Packs either from zentangle.com or check with your local CZT as many of them do carry the Project Packs too.

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Many tanglers like to use these occasional Tangle Refreshers as their Zentangle® challenge-of-the-day.

This TanglePatterns String was selected for today – either to go with today’s Buried Treasure or just to use as a starting point for your day’s tangling. The RANDOM TANGLE SELECTOR in the left sidebar makes it simple to choose a String-of-the-Day from the 250 free strings in our resource. Or just click on the STRINGS tab in the pink alphabetic tangle menu bar and choose one at random yourself.

Think of this as your tangle Challenge, if you’re so inclined. TanglePatterns String 243 is from West Virginia tangler Beth Snoderly and was originally posted here.

Remember that Zentangle strings are always drawn freehand in pencil so that they magically disappear when you’ve finished tangling the tile.

A string is a simple device to “divide your drawing surface into sections to be filled with tangles“.

In the Zentangle PRIMER Vol 1 (now available in paperback for $23.95, or as an instant download Kindle Edition $9.99, in Spanish here, and in Japanese here)there’s an entire section devoted to Strings which in part explains:

“As you tangle, your strings disappear as if by magic. This adds to the charm and unified appearance of your completed art.

If you had used a pen to draw your string, you would still see the initial sectioning in your completed creation.“

Strings are not intended to be the focal point of your tile, Zentangles should not look like coloring book drawings.

More String advice from The Book of Zentangle (now available in paperback for $19.95):

“A string is a useful reference, but it is not an impenetrable barrier. Practice going outside your string. It will help increase your ability to think outside the box.“

To download eBooks containing all 250 TanglePatterns Strings, visit the STORE > EBOOKS page.

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The Tangle Refresher series, aka Buried Treasure, spotlights hidden tangle gems from the past. It can remind you of tangles you might not have used for a while or introduce you to some you haven’t come across yet.

Here are five more tangle pattern gems and a Tangle Refresher from the past for your tangling pleasure. Remember to check out the “More Good Stuff” links below too.

BTW as you visit these tangles please do leave a comment of thanks and encouragement to show the artists you appreciate them for sharing their creativity to inspire yours. And please share a link to your favorite tangles with your followers on all your social media. Thanks!

Zenful tangling!

Buried Treasure from the tangling past

	Schway
	Peace Out
	Wigwag
	Owline
	Trumpets
	Tangle Refresher 212

More good stuff …

• The Importance of Strings in Zentangle – and String 001
• Zentangle Primer Vol 1 – your CZT-in-a-book by the founders of Zentangle! Now available in softcover, or as an instant download KINDLE Edition.
• Everything you need to know about creating Zentangle-Inspired Art or Products
• Free Interweave eBook – Know Your Rights: Copyright 101 for crafters and artists
• Tangle Pattern Refreshers – the entire Buried Treasure series
• Find a jackpot of free tutorials on TanglePatterns by visiting the TUTORIALS tab on the pink alphabetic menu bar
• Find a CZT near you – the link to the list of Certified Zentangle Teachers is located in the left sidebar of the site under the heading SOURCE WEBSITES
• Interested in becoming a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT®)? Here’s more information.
• Linda’s List of Zentangle-original tangles – THE tangles to learn first if you’re new to Zentangle.

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