The Zentangle Method is all about patterns. We call our patterns "tangles."
We teach simple ways to draw and enjoy these patterns, these tangles, by putting pen to paper in fun and easy ways.
There are also patterns all around us. But sometimes they are not as easy to see - perhaps because you don't look for a pattern; perhaps because you don't expect a pattern.
However, not all patterns are on a surface. Some patterns hide in history, some in behavior, some in seasons, some in ideas, some in the sky, and some even in other patterns.
In this puzzle, a pattern is in the pictures.
Bijou and Alfie conspired with Rick to place a pattern in plain sight in the pictures for our recent Twelve Days of Zentangle.
Can you find the pattern?
We will leave the blog comments hidden for about a week to give you a chance to comment. Bijou and Alfie tell me there will be two prizes awarded:
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One, for first one who identifies the pattern (deconstructing it, so to speak), and
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Two, for the one who most completely describes the elements in the pattern
We don't know what the prize will be . . . that's something Bijou and Alfie are still working on, but it should be pretty awesome because they are quite excited about this game.
[It's been a week and we've finished our puzzle guesses. Please go to the end of this blog to see all the comments of those who identified the pattern.
Please note that the comments are in reverse time order, the most recent is first.
If your name is one of the prize winners, please email your snail mail address to julie@zentangle.com.]
Here are all the pictures.
Be sure to post your ideas in the comments below. Remember - all comments will be kept hidden for about a week to give you a chance to comment.
Have fun with all this!
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Rick writes:
Thank you all for playing along with this puzzle. Below are all the responses from commenters who identified and described the pattern I put in the series of photos.
Many people found other patterns of which I was not aware. This happens more and more in our lives and perhaps also in yours. Or perhaps more accurately, each of us is becoming aware of synchronicities that have been there all along. Just like when someone first learns the Zentangle Method, “I see patterns!” is the familiar refrain. The patterns were always there. But now you are aware of them as patterns.
Initially, we planned two prizes, one for the first to identify the pattern and one for the most complete description of the pattern elements. We have since added a few more categories such as a random drawing and a few special mentions.
Prizes:
- First to find the pattern - Mary Margaret Yahnke
(who also identified many of the pattern elements)
- Most complete description of the pattern elements (The only ones to notice the number of bead board lines on Day 10):
- Debbie Rabb
- Margaret Bremner
- For suggesting we also do a drawing for names - Susie Brosonski
Thank you, Susie!
- Words of the pattern to sing along with the 12 Days of Christmas - Susan Cirigliano:
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Twelve Tumbling Santas
Eleven Pen Nibs Resting
Ten Clock Hands Striking
Nine Books for Reading
Eight Lenses Looking
Seven Objects Reflecting
Six Tortillions a Dancing ( in tiny deft clogs)
Five Elves Caroling
Four Carved Santas
Three Matryoshka Ladies
Two Tobasco Minis
And a Serpent in a Glass Tube!
- Individual who found the most things that I didn’t consciously put in the picture - Cori A Levinson (and Margaret Bremner again, but she already got a prize!)
- Three randomly chosen names:
- Lucinda Mathews
- Liz Gatehouse
- Susie Brosonski
Thank you again to all who participated. Please enjoy reading the comments. Feel free to continue to comment.
My idea behind this game was to create an example of what you might discover as you open your awareness to the possibility of finding patterns where you might not expect them. Recently I’ve become fascinated in seeing patterns repeat throughout history and discovering that there is more going on that I ever was taught.
The Zentangle Method can be a tool to enable your individual creativity and unique imaginative perspective to contribute to creation in a manner that no one else has, can, or ever will.
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For the record, the items that I consciously put in the photos were:
- Candle
- Tabasco jars
- Nesting dolls
- Carved Santas
- Carolers (the other three are in the band)
- Shoes, 6 tortillions, 6 large containers, 6 small containers, 6-sided ornament
- Tumbling Santas, “7” facet highlighted
- Magnifying glasses
- Books
- 10 o’clock, 10 bead board grooves
- Pens
- Tumbling Santas
I’m so excited to have answered first. While the 12 Days of Zentangle were progressing I thought I noticed that pattern. So it took me only minutes to look back and respond. Thank you for creating the special challenge. How fun!
Mary Margaret Yahnke on
I realized that I am a bit late to discover all of the fun patterns before the end of the contest. It still was great fun to
find them all. In addition, I found 7 red jingle bells as well as a picture of Alfie in each photo wearing his curly-que hat with stripes…many photos included the hat in various positions. Also, I believe that there were many inclusions of Bijou in various forms. Thanks so much for creating this fun puzzle for all of us! Kudos to so many who figured it out…particularly with singing to 12 days of Christmas! And, Happy New Year to all!
Harriet Meltzer on
I feel a little embarrassed to admit this, but I spent many peaceful minutes gazing at the photos convinced I could see spirals in the arrangements. Spirals that would lead to a focal point, often Alfie. I was sure that was the ‘pattern’. I never thought to count the items!
Jem Miller on
OMG – some of us really are not bright or don’t pay enough attention.
I was trying to find the same pattern in every picture. Hmmmmm!!!!!
Need to “think outside the square”.
Haha 🤔😂🤣😂
Sue Angles on
1. Enlightenment and inspir(al)ing – the candle flame and the ornament
2. Flavor your world – the two hot sauce bottles – Indeed, this happens in the practice of tangling
3. Three nesting dolls – fits with the bijouism “Come out of your shell” …wondering where my nesting dolls are???
4. Four wooden carved Santas – there may be other elements of 4 in this slide…
5. Santa Figures – For sure I see four Santas and a baby/toddler image playing a musical toy (that presently I can’t name) and an angel looking over it all. Lots of ‘discovery’ metaphor in this image.
6. Six tortillons, and six miniature Dutch shoes
7. Seven shiny (reflect) red bells
8. A marvelous assortment of eight magnifiers fitting with Bijous “Focus”
9. Nine books of great variety…especially moved by the “Expect Miracles” …. wonderful!! Bijou says “relax” and read more (I say)!
10. The clock is striking 10:00 —-time to appreciate!
11. Eleven assorted pens (What an intriguing assortment) fits the Bijouism of Breathe/Inspire
12. Twelve Santas in different poses “Choose your tangles”
It’s fun to see the many different appearances of the mini Santas…you have such precious treasures. Thanks for sharing with this creative puzzle.
Judith Shamp on
This might be too late to enter…. but I’ll give it a try!
The pattern is that there is an element in each picture that corresponds (numerically) with the “Day” of Christmas. For example, on the first day of christmas there is is one ornament (seen in the glass jar), the second photo (second day) has two mini hot sauce bottles, etc.
1st – 1 christmas ornament
2nd – 2 bottles of hot sauce
3rd – 3 russsian nesting dolls
4th – 4 carved santas
5th – 5 Santa figures
6th – 6 tortillion stubs
7th – 7 tangle paper rolls? or the dice showing the 7? or 7 plastic santas (hard to count in picture)
8th – 8 lenses/magnifiying glasses
9th – 9 books
10th – 10 o’clock? or 10 ornaments on the tree ?
11th – 11 speedball pens (I think that’s what they are)
12th – 12 little santas
Thanks!
Gina Staley on
12. Tumbling Santas
11. Pen Nibs Resting
10. Clock Hands Striking
9. Books for Reading
8. Lenses Looking
7. Objects Reflecting
6. Tortillions a Dancing ( in tiny deft clogs)
5. Elves Caroling
4. Carved Santas
3. Matryoshka Ladies
2. Tobasco Minis
And a Serpent in a Glass Tube…
Susan Cirigliano on
No.1- each photo has the number of items per day of 12 days of Zentangle.
No 2 Day1-One long thin ornament., Day 2 Two mini Tabasco bottles, Day3 3 Matrshka dolls, Day4 4 Santa Sticks, Day 5 -5 Holiday jolly old elves, Day 6 6 Delft shoes & 6 tortilons, Day 7 #7 on die, 7 tumbling Santas, 7 red jingle bells, Day 8 -8 magnifying lenses, Day 9 -9 books, Day 10 -clock set to 10 o’clock, Day 11 -11 pens, Day 12 -12 tumbling Santas. Every photo except first one included small Limoges oval box.
Cindy Adler on
In each photo there are items equal to the number of the day:
1) One candle, one tile, one clown-faced icicle, more?
2) two hot sauce bottles
3) three matryoshkas
4) Four tiers of tumbling Santas, four Santa sticks, four tiles
5) Ya got me here, I ain’t got nothin’. At first I thought five personages, but no, there are seven.
6) Six clogs, six tortillons, and a hexagon
7) Seven tumbling Santas, seven long beads on the red cord, ‘7’ on the icosahedron, seven letters in ‘reflect’, seven red metallic berries at the front – oh! they’re bells! And each of the largest gems on the FABULOUS golden mean finder has seven facets.
8) Eight magnifying devices, eight Santas?
9) Nine books
10) It’s 10 o’clock, there are 10 pairs of stripes in the wall panelling at the back, 10 letters in the word ‘appreciate’, and each of the two-pronged branches carved into the fan has 10 sections.
11) 11 pens and 11 pairs of stripes in the wall panelling
12) 12 tumbling Santas, 12 pairs of stripes in the wall panelling (the second one is hidden). But what’s with the three clocks all showing nine minutes after 10???
Re: Bijou’s thoughts: ‘Discover’ should have been on the eighth day and ‘Focus’ on the fifth. :)
Margaret Bremner on
No.1- each photo has the number of items corresponding with each day of 12 days of Zentangle.
No 2 Day1-One long thin ornament., Day 2 Two mini Tabasco bottles, Day3 3 Matrshka dolls, Day4 4 Santa Sticks, Day 5 Holiday jolly old elves, Day 6 6 Delft shoes & 6 tortillions, Day 7 Tumbling Santa’s & 7 Red Jingle Bells,and 7 tangle tile beads & 7 on die, Day 8 8 magnifying lenses, Day 9 9 books, Day 10 clock time is 10o’clock, Day 11 11 pens, Day 12 tumbling Santa’s. All Days except Day 1 had the Limoge box in the photo and of course Alfie.
Cindy Adler on
Viveca Chenoweth on
how about 1burning candle,2 bottles of hot sauce,3 Russia nested dolls, 4 carved wooden Santas and 4 layers of gold boxes, 5 figures who seem to be caroling, 6 dutch shoes and 6 torttiones/blenders and 6-sided wooden game board/design on the wall, 7 jingle bell cherries and 7 Santas on the gold box, 8 concave glass looking pieces and 8 Santas, 9 books,10 o’clock, 11 calligraphy pens, 12 little playful Santas.
Thanks for the distraction! colleen
Colleen Wilcox on
KENDRA PAGE on
It just dawned on me! Here’s the Pattern:
1 CANDLE
2 MINI TABASCO BOTTLES
3 NESTING DOLLS
4 WOODEN CARVED SANTAS
5 CAROLERS
6 TORTILLIONS
7 TANGLED BEADS
8 MAGNIFYING GLASSES
9 BOOKS
10 HOURS/O"CLOCK
11 PENS
12 MINI SANTAS
Jenny Perruzzi, CZT10 on
Listed backwards they are:
12 santas
11 calligraphy pens
10 is the time on the clock
9 books for reading
8 lenses for looking
7 red bells? 7 on the die
6 gray and blue stones or shoes also 6 tortions
5 figurines
4 santa or wiseman things sticking.out of the blue and white vase. (There are also 4 sides to a tile, regular and bijou)
3 red Russian doll thingys that go inside each other
2 hot sauce bottles
1 candle in the foreground, 1 ornament thingy that Alfie is hanging on. One Alfie… lol
Russell McDonald on
Day 1: that jester ornament with a coiled hat
Day 2: the two mini Tabasco sauce bottles.
Day 3: the three Russian nesting dolls
Day 4: the 4 Santa carved stick things in the vase.
Day 5: there are 4 Santa/Father Christmas figurines; if we include Alfie in the lineup, it makes 5 total figurines side by side.
Day 6: Alfie is holding 6 tortillons AND there are 6 porcelain Dutch clogs lined up in front of him AND there is a wooden hexagonal ornament thing on the wall.
Day 7: the number 7 on the die is clearly visible AND there are 7 tumbling Santas.
Day 8: there are 4 tumbling Santas and 4 Santa ornaments, adding up to 8 Santas total.
Day 9: there are a total of 9 books in the picture. 7 lined up on the left; one that bijou is reading, and another by Alfie.
Day 10: the clock reads 10 o’clock
Day 11: a total of 11 of Maria’s calligraphy pens; Alfie is dancing with the most fabulous one.
Day 12: there are 12 tumbling Santas. Also, on both the clock and the watch, the time is set for 10:10—one hand at 10, one hand at 2. 10+2=12.
Sarah Hluchy CZT 18 on
It’s the 12 days of Christmas song (be kind this is not my native language ☺)
On the first day of Christmas Alfie gave to me : a genie Christmas ornament in a glass tube
On the second day of Christmas Alfie gave to me : 2 hot flavor sauces
On the third day of Christmas Alfie gave to me : 3 Russian dolls
On the fourth day of Christmas Alfie gave to me : 4 Santa wooden clothing pin
On the fifth day of Christmas Alfie gave to me : 5 Christmas figurines (Santa, St-Nicholas, baby Jesus, …)
On the sixth day of Christmas Alfie gave to me : 6 tortillons (or Holland wooden shoes – clogs ? )
On the seventh day of Christmas Alfie gave to me : 7 red bells (grelots)
On the eighth day of Christmas Alfie gave to me : 8 magnifying tools (loupe)
On the ninth day of Christmas Alfie gave to me : 9 books to read
On the tenth day of Christmas Alfie gave to me : 10 o’clock on the grandfather clock
On the eleventh day of Christmas Alfie gave to me : 11 writing tools (plumes)
On the twelfth fay of Christmas Alfie gave to me : 12 happy Santa having fun !
Jocelyne Archambault on
As a geocacher I love riddles.
So thank you very much for this one.
Well, you hide 12 Numbers in the pictures (as well as a small box out of porcellain):
day 1: 1 Candle
day 2: 2 tabasco bottles
day 3: 3 matruschkas
day 4: 4 wooden faces
day 5: 5 puppets
day 6; 6 tortillons (as well as 6 little shoes from holland)
day 7; the 7 on a die (and 7 sides of the die)
day 8: 8 magnifier
day 9: 9 books
day 10: 10 o clock
day 11: 11 pens with a meatl fether
day 12: 12 santas
best regards, Nicole
Nicole Lehmann, CZT Europe#1 on
Katie Crommett on
Hmm, let’s see…the photo for each day has a corresponding number of elements, plus a few complementary additions.
Day
1. “One” portrayed in the wand, one ornament, one candle
2. 2 bottles of Tabasco, Alfie is creating music (per “Create” Bijouism)
3. “Come out of your shell” + a sea shell; 3 nesting dolls (which are also a type of shell)
4. 4 wood carvings in the vase. Also, “Savor” and there are edibles to savor: pomegranate seeds, boxes of candy, and honey.
5. 5 figures besides Alfie
6. 6 tortillions; 6 shoes
7. 7 on the die; 7 Santas; 2 reflections, per “Reflect”
8. 8 lenses; “Focus” under a lens
9. “Relax” and Alfie is tangling and there are 9 books for relaxing, I presume
10. 10 o’clock; “Appreciate” and that’s what Alfie is doing
11. 11 pens
12. 12 Santas (not inc. tree ornaments); 10 after 10 o’clock in the clocks- 10+2=12
And, at least one snail in every photo plus at least one Bijou tile, except for the first one which has neither.
That was fun! Thank you! I look forward to reading what others have spotted.
Wishing everyone a happy 2021!
Donna Guy
Donna Guy on
The pattern puzzles found relate to the number day of each Zentangle “lesson”. Each of the twelve days of Zentangle reveal the corresponding items in the vignettes. They are as follows:
Day 1 – single ornament in fluted glass piece, one candle & one pin (?) that Alfie is holding.
Day 2 – 2 Tabasco sauce bottles & 2 picture frames
Day 3 – 3 Russian nesting dolls & 3 shells (snail, conch and “Shell” on tile)
Day 4 – 4 carved Santa heads & 4 gold round boxes
Day 5 – 5 singers (The Quintessential Quality Quintet)
Day 6 – 6 Tortillions & 6 porcelain shoes/clogs
Day 7 – the #7 on Icosahedron, 7 cherries/apples in front of dice, 7 tumbling Santas
Day 8 – 8 magnifiers
Day 9 – 9 Books
Day 10 – 10:00 on the clock & 10 vertical lines in the wood panel background
Day 11 – 11 Calligraphy pens & 11 vertical lines in the paneling
Day 12 – 12 tumbling Santas, 12 vertical lines in the paneling & the Shadow of the minute hand, on both clocks, is on the
2… 2 +10 = 12.
The 12 days were great and this was a fun game to top everything off. Happiest of New Years to all at Zentangle HQ.
Debbie Rabb on
As to the objects, the top picture has many of just one thing but I am going to choose the candle because it stands out and Christmas is the season of light.
Second picture=2 jars of Tabasco sauce
Third picture=3 nesting dolls
Fourth picture=4 Santas with the long pointed beards in the holes of the vase
Fifth picture=The chimney Santa is in is made of 5 layers of bricks
Sixth picture=Allie is holding 6 tortillons
Seventh picture=There are 7 red bells on the table
Eighth picture=There are 8 white squares on the handle of the magnifying glass
Ninth picture=There is a total of 9 books in the picture altogether
Tenth picture=Tough one, if it has to be objects then it’s 10 letters in the word “appreciate” but it
sure was tempting to choose the clock that said 10 o’clock
Eleventh picture=11 pointed pens
Twelfth picture=12 ceramic santas, 8 on the floor, one in the box, one on the snail, and one on
each clock
Thanks for a very fun puzzle! I could watch each of you draw all day! Your pens just flow and go places mine won’t. Ha. Ah, some day.
Cindy Dove on
Each of the pictures for the 12 days of Zentangle for 2020 has the number of that post represented in the picture.
Day 1: One central Christmas Decoration, one elf, one candle, one featured Zentangle. (A singularly nice display.)
Day 2: Two bottles of hot sauce, two apples on the tree.
Day 3: Three nesting dolls, three Bijous (Snails).
Day 4: Four Carved Santa heads nestled in the pottery.
Day 5: Five figures lined up including Alfie singing.
Day 6: Six Tortillons, six Dutch Shoes, six gift packages, six-sided trivet on the wall.
Day 7: Seven Tumbling Santas, Seven on the die, seven red bells.
Day 8: Eight Santas (4 on tree, 3 tumbling, 1 in loupe), 8 Magnifying Loupes.
Day 9: Nine Books.
Day 10: Time on the clock is Ten (Ten past Ten is the most pleasing location of the hands on a clock for photography. Or so I have heard.)
Day 11: Eleven Calligraphy Pens.
Day 12: Twelve Tumbling Santas.
I love your tangles and projects packs, please keep them coming.
Judy
Judy Grimes on
Gab on
I found three patterns, sorta. Day One seems to be an anomaly and contains neither of the first two.
The first is a little oval box with a pink rose painted or enameled on the top and a garland design painted around the side. It consistently appears, though on Day Ten the box is open and the top cannot be seen. On another day, the top is only visible through a magnifying glass. (Very sneaky!)
Second, your little snail critter appears on a Bijou tile at least once in every picture, along with at least one snail sculpture.
Third, the number of the day is represented in some way in each picture. In reverse order:
Day 12 – twelve tumbling Santa figurines
Day 11 – eleven calligraphy pens
Day 10 – the clock is set to 10 o’clock
Day 9 – nine books
Day 8 – eight magnifying glasses, including some sneaky jewelers’ loupes
Day 7 – seven Santas on the gold box, the number 7 on the die faces forward, and there may be seven sleigh bells in front of the die.
Day 6 – 6-sided plaque on the wall, 6 tortillions, 6 Dutch shoes
Day 5 – Alfie standing in a row of five St. Nicholas figurines. (I’m not counting the baby doll, who may be the musician for these “carolers”)
Day 4 – four wooden Santas in the blue and white doohickie, a stack of four boxes on the left, four tumbling Santas couldn’t fit on those boxes, four-sided pyramid on lower right, and Maria’s Zentangle features four tubular tangles
Day 3 – three Russian nesting dolls, three sleigh bells emerging from the shell
Day 2 – two bottles of Tabasco, two round balls on the tree.
Day 1 – one candle; one long, skinny ornament stuck in the vase; Alfie is holding one “scepter” and the black and white pendant hangs from his hat a bit like the number one. (Yeah, that’s a stretch.)
Susan Bertke on