Finding the Elegance in Limits

I’m still not sure whether or not I like pre-printed strings. I really enjoyed the pieces from PP26, and I loved the result—not only because they are inspiring, but also because I feel they push me to do something different. This helps me keep my Zentangle practice alive; they provide a starting point—so I don’t have to guess what to do on a blank tile—and offer freedom within limitations. Sometimes I get stuck in my own thoughts, and my perfectionism acts as a major obstacle. That is one of the reasons why I love these project packs: receiving guidance and learning new methods.

• Thank you for providing so much fun and creativity.

What I learnt from PP26 is ignoring the string! It’s not in my nature to do that. If you gave me a prestrung tile and pens and told me to do something with it, I would follow the string precisely. What we actually did was liberating. Our teachers always say, we don’t have to follow the string, but ignoring it doesn’t come naturally to me. My favourite lesson was the spectacular day 4, I have used it again since then.

Thank you for your words. I have wondered myself if I’d like the preprinted strings. There is an always new ways to look at what we all encounter and do. Another form to tangle. TanglelessZen!!!!

Thank you for your words. I have wondered myself if I’d like the preprinted strings. There is an always new ways to look at what we all encounter and do. Another form to tangle. TanglelessZen!!!!

I enjoyed the tiles from PP26. It is one I want to return to soon. I loved the new strings.

I espacially loved Day 7 of that PP26. I loved the outcome of it . And I wished one could buy them and other prestrung ones. Perhaps in the Future?

Thank you Julie for Sharing your thaughts with us.

I really appreciated your blog, Julie. I am currently teaching a class in which I am using 3 of the tiles from PP 26 plus a black tile with string No. 1! I really enjoy the new set of strings not only because I think they are cool, but also because I feel that they push me to do something different. This not only helps keep my Zentangle practice alive for.my own sake as well as for the sake of my students. Thanks again for good words and more inspiration!

I loved PP26. I love pre-strung tiles, both square and round! I feel it gives me a starting point as opposed to having to figure out what to do on a blank tile. I love them so much I am pretty sure I have done all the ones Z has to offer! So fun and it is amazing the different outcomes you get every time!

I loved pp26. Was sad to see it end. I hope the tiles will become available to purchase. I would love to explore more ideas. Love the water pens too. They are my favourite to date. I thank you all for teaching me such beautiful art. I felt I was forced to go slow which was the hardest thing for me. But I made it through.

Love your post Julie. I really love the pp26 – I really enjoy the elaborate strings and the freedom in the limitaions. I can get really stuck in my head and my perfectionism acts like a big road block sometimes. That’s one reason I love the project packs, being guided and learning new methods

This was my first project pack and it was really very exciting for me. Loved coloring the tiles and diving deep into the tangles. Now I am into project pack 17 and off to new experiences in tangling. Thanks for offering so much fun and creativity to my life :-)

I enjoyed the project pack. I didn’t actually have the pack, but tried to recreate the strings on my own tiles as best I could. Some strings were relatively easy to create, and some were more challenging, but it was a good challenge. Since I usually follow along with the videos for project packs and don’t try to go off on my own too much, most of the tangling wasn’t too challenging. I enjoyed them all, but my favorites were days 2, 3, 5, and 8.

Oh, my, I just finished Day 8 with Molly and Martha! What a great PP!!!! I have to confess — I had a hard time with the first couple of videos (I know, no mistakes, but oh, my!). BUT as I continued with videos, I started enjoying the Zendalas more and more and I just LOVE the Koi Watercolor Pens! WOW! I am going to revisit the first couple of videos and maybe try and create the strings too! THANK YOU, ZTHQ friends! From someone who never could do much art, I am gaining confidence — April is my ONE YEAR Mosaic APP Anniversary! I LOVE THE APP!!! I have so many special ZT Friends now! Thank you!

De acuerdo con Julie sobre las cuerdas, no son exigencias, son sugerencias y permiten salir de ellas cuando es necesario, pero ayudan mucho a ubicarse en los espacios disponibles y combinar enredos. Pack 26 es fantástico, lo he podido trabajar con alumnas principiantes y con avanzadas. Es tan flexible y bondadoso que hace volar la imaginación para crear argumentos de historias contadas en cada zendala. Me ha encantado, gracias Julie, gracias Rick y María, cada vez amo más este método que me hace tan feliz!

Hi Julie and Everyone, I am also really enjoying PP26. So far I have only managed to follow 3 tiles, but I am excited to complete the rest of the pack, and also try them again on a different surface and using different tangles. I have really enjoyed using the pens, and trying them out in different ways. Thank you Zentangle for creating these opportunities to gently push ourselves to achieve art pieces that are so beautiful. It such a lovely feeling to be proud of something you have created yourself :-) Best Wishes Claire

Thank you, to all of those people who have worked hard on all the Project Packs, kits, and all the products and videos that have been lovingly created. All of you are and inspiration to all of us. If anyone who has not watched any of the videos please, do so I highly recommend them. “Happy Tangling”; take care, from Cheryl K. Jensen (From Canada)

This was one of the few PP that I kept up with and finished. I love Zendalas and color. Enjoyed not following all of the strings at times, and following them completely at others. Lots of inspiration from other czt’s as well.

I discovered Zentangle back in February 2012 and right from the start I found working within “strings” difficult and finally after a few months, gave them away completely and since then have never used them. Working with PP26 I realised that strings didn’t seem to be important at all ! I found it all to be rather comforting, albeit a bit confusing,, but it still bothered me that the the strings were still always “there” in the background. I then started making my own zendala tiles, where I was able to get rid of the strings, so I was much happier as the “lessons” were, in many cases, not using the strings anyway! But I did not enjoy seeing them in the background; in my view, if you have strings, then they are there to be used ! I still enjoyed PP26. But the pre strung tiles still do not do it for me! To each their own I think, but I still prefer to work without strings. I also realise you were also helping the “newbies” along and that is fine too. I am still indebted to all the Zentangle “mob” over the last 13 years and I DO enjoy each project and the work it entails, but this one (PP26) was not my favourite…….sorry!

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I just ordered PP26 last week. When I was glancing through some of work on the Mosaic App, I was delighted at all the results and I really like Zendala the most right now. I actually have been playing with the string Zendala and seeing how I can move beyond the strings. Sometimes I can’t even remember what the string is that I started with. I am excited about doing PP26! Just started on Day01!

I made it through a few days before leaving on a cruise where I can’t watch videos so will continue when I get home.

I have enjoying seeing how each lesson develops and really like this set of prestrung tiles. I learn so much from these project packs.

Hi Julie I like Zendala tiles, the pre strung idea is almost too much since I don’t like the line showing thru. Use of color is appreciated thanks for this!

I am enjoying these tiles because I have the videos to watch. I still don’t understand the point of having a string that you don’t use and I really don’t like the lines that show through that aren’t used. When you are figuring out how to use the pre-strung tiles you have unlimited materials, but we only have one try, so there is no ability to try different ways to do a given tile. I reallly like seeing the different options that were shown in the wrap-up video, but was not able to choose another style because my tiles were already used. Also, now what do I do with the tiles that there are no instructions for? Like the ones with the circles. I’m lost.

When I opened PP26 I was so excited because I love the Zendala tiles and I also love working with the the prestrung tiles. I am looking forward to when these new tiles will be available for purchase. I also am really enjoying learning all the different ways that you can use the Koi pens. Thank you to everyone at HQ for all you do for the Zentangle community.

I’m going on my way in this Project Pack…
The “Prestrung” Zendalas were being one of my “pending” in Zentangle but One month ago I let me the opportunity to draw one and I Loved it… and now in my buy wish list there’s the oficial PP26

I have signed up for CZT in October and am really enjoying each project pack as they are released. I love that each tile is unique and relaxing and challenging all at the same time. When I first heard that limitations increase creativity, I really did not agree. I have never been a color in the lines person. But, what I found is that I like the limitations of materials while doing the tiles, especially when I am traveling and am limited to only what is provided. The simplicity allows for more creativity as you need to figure out how to make it work with what you have. It’s freeing to me.