In 2007, we started BLOG Zentangle and began our enjoyable series of conversations within our Zentangle community.
In reading through these blog posts with their insightful comments, we decided to bring a few of them to your attention from time to time. It is easy, for me anyway, to sometimes think of old information as stale information. But these insights and conversations are anything BUT stale!
We invite you to enjoy this post from 2019...
At the end of Molly’s blog, The Dog Days of Summer, she asked us to think about how the seasons affect our tangling and creative flow.
As I thought about this summer, I realized that I have tangled quite a bit. The Dog Days of Summer made me slow down. There were many days I found myself sitting in the shade in my backyard tangling away. On a vacation, our house had a spectacular view and it called for me to bring my tools and journal out there.
Or, early in the morning when the birds are chirping, and it hasn’t reached that day’s high temperature yet. All of these moments inspired me to put pen to paper. To slow down in the middle of a busy summer and take a moment for myself. In each of those moments I thought, “This is the perfect time to tangle.”
I concluded that summer is the season for tangling.
But, as I write this, I am sitting on the deck of my house and in the shade, the air is crisp. For the first time in months, I am wearing a sweatshirt and wrapped in a blanket. It will be autumn soon here in New England and then winter.
Update August 2022: the air is not crisp and I am not wrapped in a blanket, but doesn't that sound nice?
I also tangle quite a bit during the winter months. Snowstorms that keep you cooped up in the house. Cold wind howling and snow-covered roads that make it so you don’t want to go anywhere. Everything is still, and the winter gives me permission to be still. I love curling up in the corner of my couch with a lap desk and my tangling tools. My dog, Albus, snuggled up next to me and I think to myself, “This is the perfect time to tangle.”
So, is Winter the season of tangling? Or is it a crisp fall day or rainy spring morning?
I believe every season is the “perfect time to tangle” because each season inspires something new and something different. In the summer months, I take my tangling outside – to my back yard or to the ocean. The heat and humidity remind me to slow down. I listen to the sounds around me – the lawn mower, the waves crashing or birds chirping. In the winter months, it is the cozy comforts of home that spark my creativity. My favorite spot in the house, a cup of warm coffee (or is it red wine?) and familiar tangles dancing across the page.
The reason that every season is the season for tangling is that when you sit down, be still and appreciate your surroundings, it becomes “the perfect time to tangle” every time.
An afternoon at the beach? The perfect time to tangle.
A snowy blizzard that lasts for days? The perfect time to tangle.
The doctor’s office waiting room? A long flight? When you have only 5 minutes to yourself? The perfect time to tangle.
When is your perfect time to tangle? What is your season for tangling?
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Thank you to everyone who shared your favorite tangling trend, technique or tangle on our last blog. what a wonderful resources for the Zentangle community! We have randomly selected Janice to receive a Zentangle Project Pack No. 18! Please send your snail mail address to julie@zentangle.com.
Janice asked about one of Molly's tiles in our last blog. The tile used a technique we call Romanancy and you can learn more about the technique in this blog.
Best time to tangle: I do much tangling when I’m stuck inside waiting . . . also when I’m enjoying the outside waiting . . .
Molly – Love the “string” on your Zendala.
Linda Dochter, CZT 16 on
When is the best time to tangle?? Morning is great, afternoon is fine, evening… always good! Oh let’s just be honest… I tangle several hours daily, and the problem is …… just where I can squeeze in a bit of cleaning?
Bonnie Johnson CZT 36 on
This latter season of my life is my favorite time to untangle. I am 76 years old; childhood tangles still haunt, and reasonable demands still disturb, but then…I remember…a small square blank tile, in my bag, beckons me and Micron (Mic for short) to “tango” with it in the quiet. I answer the call. My heart swells while I watch one surprise after another appear before my eyes as Mic and tile dance and merge. The twisted tangles in my mind transfer onto the pristine paper face before me. A tiny one-of-a-kind gem called a Zentangle is born and I am calm again. Thank you again Rick, Marie and Zentangle family for your continued support and inspiration you provide all of us who have been fortunate enough to be found. S.Talbot CZT 37
Susie Talbot on
Any time, every season, but for me, the place is important! In 99.9% of tangling time, I do it in my special room which looks out onto a small tropical garden. My room is my haven, I always have soft music playing as I tangle. In Summer it is blissfully cool, and when it rains, I applaud the raindrops on the leaves outside my windows thanks to my air conditioner and in Winter, the windows are open to the sunshine and blue skies! I live in far north Queensland and we really only experience Summer, when it is humid and raining, and Winter when it is sunny with blue skies and pleasantly warm! The most unusual place for me to tangle, was in June this year when I was in hospital for 6 days. I felt disturbed and nervous, so my husband brought me my tangling bits in the little green Zentangle box…….need i say more!
So yes tangling can happen any time and pretty much any place!
Sue Zanker on
Sherie Falink on
Holly C on
Holly C on
Definately all year! I always take my supplies on vacation, but I find that I rarely tangle on vacation. Nevertheless, I am going to keep taking them!
Angie G. on
Kathy Y. on
Kathleen McMurtry on
Judy on
Mornings, any time of the year is my magic tangling time . Sometimes the heater is on, sometimes the windows are open …
I find a cup of coffee and a few hours with pen and paper sets the mood for the day. Following a video from a project pack or YouTube to get started, I move on to alternative surfaces and find myself embellishing all kinds of things. My life is filled with tangles!
Ann Baum on
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jennifer on
Zentangle me acompaña en momentos difíciles, me serena para descansar. Gracias Rich, Maria, Martha y Molly por su creación y su compartir!!!! Desde Cortaderas, provincia de San Luis, Argentina, un inmenso Gracias!!!!!
Myriam on
I love the picture of the tangle. I find it beautiful and elegant.
Jan Timmins on
(I’m jealous of your wonderful view, wow, wow, wow)
Matheussen Ria on
Nathalie Paré on
Matt Wieczkowski, Czt29&33 on
Sandy Nee on
Sue Leslie on
Mary D'Angelo, CZT on
Julie,
You did a great job in the video for Project Pack 6! I had not turned the volume up yet and didn’t hear that it was you, I thought I was listening to Molly…then I sensed a difference. Starting over I got that it was YOU! Wow, you’ve made it to the big time, in there with the Masters!!! Yippee. Great Job! (I know that you were in Project Pack 5 too, and of course there was your debut with the Vanna White roll in our Zen Again Bijou Bingo).
I’d love to see a project pack of the cotton table napkin idea that Marie once shared….it’s intriguing. Seems as though a few pieces of cotton could cost out to make it? As we know many Zentanglers do work on fabrics…sharing tips and hints too. It could be quite inspirational. I love the project packs and can’t wait for the next one…
Carole Lape on
christine maskaly on
I love to tangle in the afternoon. And any time of year suits me, but my tangling style seems to change to suit the seasons. Lots of black auras in the summer, perhaps because I’m craving shade. And spare tangling in the winter – to mimic the bare branches all around me.
Jem Miller on
lorraine on