Boomeresque:Definition
1. Adj.: Describing a person born between 1 Jan. 1946 and 31 Dec. 1964
2. Adj.: Description of a person, place or thing possessing Baby Boomer je ne sais quoi
3. See also, Boomer, Esq.: A Baby Boomer who is also a licensed attorney (See, e.g., About).

Zentangle Diva’s Challenge #206 – Out of My Comfort Zone Edition

by Suzanne Fluhr on February 23, 2015 · 27 comments

(If you’ve never heard of Zentangle, start here.)

The Zentangle Diva’s challenge this week is to use materials or tools we’ve never used before for tangling. Uh oh. Change is anxiety producing for me and I’m already feeling stressed because we leave for Turkey and Israel on March 11th, we’ll be gone for three weeks and before that I have to:

  • Clean off my desk. This is serious, people. It is sooo beyond time for me to accomplish this task.
If the condition of one's desk is indicative of the state of one's mind---I'm in serious trouble.

If the condition of one’s desk is indicative of the state of one’s mind—I’m in serious trouble.

  • Drive Dino, our dog, over 300 miles to Snowmageddon Boston where he is going to stay with my sisters-in-law for a few months. They took care of him when we lived in Hawaii last winter, so I know he loves them and they are very fond of him, but I still feel like a bad dog mother. (For some pointers about how to travel without your dog, you can read my blog post on the subject.)
  • Finish writing my pre-trip “to do” list—-and then, just do it!
  • Make sure my 90 year old mother’s “papehs” (as she calls them) are in order.
  • Figure out how I’m going to get home after the CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher) training I’m attending from April 12th through April 15th.
  • Decide whether I’m going to Spain for a travel blogger conference at the end of April until mid-May.

I’m kind of ashamed for feeling stressed because I realize that these are no big deal “in the grand scheme of things“. Maybe this is why I need to become proficient in the Zentangle(TM) method — because I let myself become anxious for no good reason.

I responded to the Zentangle Diva’s challenge by using collage and pastels in my composition.

Diva 206 450x495

Okay, that wasn’t as hard as I thought it might be. I’d like to become more proficient  using these media  — but not until I clean off my desk!

For Everybody: How’s your stress level this week? Feel free to vent.  For Tanglers: What new tools or materials did you try in your response to this week’s challenge?

{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }

Mike February 23, 2015 at 1:35 pm

Great post, Suzanne. Especially the state of one’s desk = state of one’s mind. For me it’s the entire house and that is a two way street. So, it’s definitely something for me to work on immediately. Wow, your trip is just around the corner and I’m glad Dino will be in the care of loving relatives while you are gone 🙂 Awesome Zentangle again 🙂

Reply

Kell Smurthwaite February 23, 2015 at 2:25 pm

That’s so pretty – I love the colours! 🙂

Here’s mine: https://zentanglezone.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/toolstrade/

Reply

Suzanne Durville February 23, 2015 at 2:36 pm

Emerson said that “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds”…which I broaden significantly to include clean desks, organizers and other such things. This frees me from the guilt I feel when I have to carve a path through my studio like an explorer navigating a jungle. (But, I do admit that my mind is more receptive when I can just start doing something without having to clear off a space 🙂 Good luck with the desk.

I love your collage tile. The composition is strong and there’s a lovely sense of transparency. Great work!

Reply

Rachy February 23, 2015 at 5:29 pm

I hope your doggy has a lovely holiday! My craft area looks similar to yours, gets sorted once in a while and breaks down to chaos very easily and quickly! I love your tangle! Such a clever way of doing it and such a lovely result.

Reply

Jackie February 23, 2015 at 7:40 pm

What a great idea. Your collage looks awesome.

Reply

Antonine February 23, 2015 at 7:56 pm

This is so very pretty! You must have managed to clear your mind to do such lovely work. Isn’t that the mantra of Zentangle, after all? I can relate to the brain clog thing. I have been feeling that while challenges are great ways to take yourself to new places (Turkey – really??), sometimes you need to go back to that no plan place and just tangle. Right now I’m ready to tangle in my mashed potatoes…don’t tempt me… I can’t wait to see how Turkey inspires your work. It appears to be Zentangle heaven!

Reply

Suzanne Fluhr February 25, 2015 at 6:03 am

Antonine, you’re right about Turkey and Islamic at in general. I think the prohibition against representing the Prophet Mohammed has resulted in some gorgeous abstract design. The original tangles!

Reply

LezliB February 24, 2015 at 2:30 am

I really like the colors you used in your collage zentangle. The tangles are beautiful and with the collage material behind them, it really sets it all off nicely.

Reply

Sabrina Berndt February 24, 2015 at 4:11 am

I like the patterns overlapping the circles, they look so – real…!

Have a nice journey, I am looking forward to seeing in providence! Sabrina

Reply

Suzanne Fluhr February 25, 2015 at 6:08 am

Likewise. 🙂

Reply

Ilse February 24, 2015 at 4:19 am

Nice idea with a beautiful result!

Reply

Annemarie February 24, 2015 at 5:10 am

I do like this collage, very well done. Success in this stressful time!

Reply

Sandra February 24, 2015 at 6:40 am

I like your coloured circles and the collage you made. Very nice 🙂

Reply

Jean Chaney February 24, 2015 at 4:55 pm

That’s what boxes were made for. Just take everything and with one swoop, shove it into a box and put it under the bed. Go out and buy more, repeat until there is no room left under your bed and then move without telling anyone. Nice collage, by the way 🙂

Reply

Sheila Grube February 24, 2015 at 5:40 pm

Suzanne! That contribution is worthy of a frame and to be put on the wall above your desk (that is, after it’s been cleaned off of course ;)) Sounds like good stress you got going on…be safe and enjoy all your adventures!

Reply

Suzanne Fluhr February 25, 2015 at 6:09 am

Sheil bulletin board above my desk is starting to fill up with Diva Challenge responses.

Reply

Dorita February 24, 2015 at 8:42 pm

I love your collage. I’m getting so many ideas for new projects. I hope I live to be at least a healthy 120 so I can get it all done!

Reply

LonettA February 25, 2015 at 4:29 am

Wonderful collage! Love the colours! Lovely idea!

Reply

ChristineC February 25, 2015 at 12:45 pm

It’s a very good idea, the result is very nice !

Reply

Chrissie February 25, 2015 at 3:49 pm

Oh my goodness you are so busy. Take care and hope it all works out for you and enjoy the CZT training.

Reply

Beewatch February 27, 2015 at 10:50 am

That looks really pretty. Your idea to work with collage is great.

Reply

Omer February 28, 2015 at 8:56 am

Love your creation and composition. Beautiful.

About desks – I hold two opposite opinions.
One is that it represents our inner state (so messy table shows I have a messy mind), and the other is that the more creative one is, the messier the desk 🙂

I alternate between the two on a regular basis

Reply

Suzanne Fluhr February 28, 2015 at 10:29 am

Omer—that’s exactly how I feel about desks although the lawyer side of my brain finds it hard to function efficiently (or creatively) with a messy desk. However, I have been battling “messy desk syndrome” my entire life.

Reply

Daniel @ The Tangle Corner February 28, 2015 at 11:28 am

Wow, this is lovely…I went on a not-so-creative route and just used marker ^_^
My “tangling desk” is quite clean, mostly because it’s a slanted glass table and everything I put on it falls off. As for the other desk…*shudder* let’s not talk about it ^_^

Reply

Daniel @ The Tangle Corner February 28, 2015 at 11:29 am

Oh, and I forgot – I hope you really enjoy your CZT training (lucky ;-;)!

Reply

Suzanne Fluhr February 28, 2015 at 11:34 am

Hmm. I seem to have struck a chord with the messy desk thing. I’m glad I’m not the only one with this affliction.

Reply

1 Art Lady Kate Tangles February 28, 2015 at 1:25 pm

Glad to see that I am not the only one with a messy desk! 🙂 I vary between the two. My home one, a mess, my school one neat. Don’t know what that says about me. I seem to always have on going projects on the home one. Really like your collage combo with the tangles this week. Can’t wait to hear about your travels! Have a wonderful time. I will live vicariously if you are posting on the road!

Reply

Cancel reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: