Being on the phone for any reason is already terrible. I just am no good at it. Even if it's just a quick call to schedule an appointment, I am so antsy and have to be doing something else - most of the time just wandering around the house like a nervous cat.
On longer calls - the ones I have each week - I have to be doing something with my hands, and the one thing that really calms me down and helps me not scream during calls is zentangling.
The latest release from Altenew is literally saving lives, because it is perfect for that zentangle style. The whole collection has a very graphic feel that's perfectly in line with tangling.
So yesterday, while I was on a conference call I took this large, whimsical flower set and I zentangled. The time just flies by, and the cool thing about zentangling is you can still concentrate on the conversation.
I've noticed that certain cardstock finishes take different markers in different ways - some markers combined with some cardstocks bleed a bit, which you don't want with a nice clean zentangle. On this one, I actually ended up using a very fine Stylemark pen, since it was in the pen holder next to my computer. All that to say - test the combo of paper and pen before starting an ambitious zentangle on your next conference call.
After I was done with this and off the phone I took the Evening Gray marker that is in their essentials set and added a few shadows. The sentiment is from this set - isn't it adorable?
You know how it takes a while to find your personal style?
It took me forever to get to mine - or it felt like forever. Clean and simple (CAS) is really my favorite. But I would also add CAB (clean and bright) and CAQ (clean and quirky) to my style.
This new Polish-inspired bundle hits all those notes! It's a layering set AND a builder set that lets you build intricate, bold patterns.
And if you've stopped in before - you know what that means I'm going to do - that's right. Red and aqua. IT'S A COMPULSION. I CANNOT HELP IT. The simple sentiment makes me happy.
Tips: use the long side of your MISTI to stamp, shift, stamp your images so they are perfectly lined up. Also, I found it easiest to build these images starting with the small red teardrop on the center image, then the aqua, then the largest red image. Super fun.
One important note about Altenew - don't throw away the packaging! Their insert with the stamp set is a full color, trifold brochure with instructions, card designs and ink names and combinations. It's incredibly valuable! I pop them into my stamp pockets and refer to them frequently. Their color combos on the Antique Roses set I bought last month were so beautiful I simply recreated them.
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Today I'm taking part in the Altenew August Release Hop! Their stuff is always irresistible - I had placed a big order right before Junkie Fest, and yet somehow, I need ALL THE THINGS again.
So hop around through the amazing list below for inspiration, and leave me a comment for your chance to win a $20 gift certificate unique to me, and one of 6 $50 gift certificates they are giving away. They will draw all six winners and announce them on the Altenew blog on August 17th!
Haha I totally get your point on attending long calls! I sometimes write my name in different fonts to keep myself occupied :) Your cards are beautiful and I love the zentangle work! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE your cards - the first card is amazing - so distinctive :)
ReplyDeleteLove your beautiful zentangled roses. Also love the CAS look of the dotted art cards.
ReplyDeleteThe zentangled card is gorgeous
ReplyDeleteyour zentangle is inspiring - and awesome
ReplyDeleteOnce again it is the dotted leaves that are drawing my eye
ReplyDeleteLove the Zentangle! You put a nice spin on the die cuts!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your continued inspiration--and quirky stories!
ReplyDeleteZentangles! Never would have thought to use the stamps for that - but it's great!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI simply love these release projects every month! The projects are always so bright and beautiful and most of all inspiring! Thank you for keeping us crafty!
ReplyDeletei love the simplicity of the cards
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your amazing projects, Lydia! Great inspiration for this fabulous new release.
ReplyDeleteLydia...I love the tangled card!! I, too, love to Zentangle!! So relaxing!
ReplyDeleteReally nice work, I love your blog
ReplyDeleteLovely CAS ideas.
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome and the zentangled card is amazing. I think many Altenew flower designs lend themselves to this technique and this one is perfect! Love that dotted leaf pattern too!
ReplyDeleteLove the new dotted floral stamps.
ReplyDeleteI like to "Tangle" as well, but I find I get impatient...maybe I need to make some conference calls! I am also not as good at it as you are, but this has inspired me to look at stamps to "Tangle"! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI love your CAS designs! The black and white is soooo cool!
ReplyDeleteLove the zentangle rose. Very creative!
ReplyDeleteNice cards
ReplyDeleteI love your cards! They are so elegant!
ReplyDeleteFabulous designs Lydia! I especially love the Dot Art trio. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThe dot art stamp set is a must have.
ReplyDeleteSo fun, I so enjoy your CAS. CAB, and CAQ designs!!
ReplyDeleteI love the zen tangle - and the red and aqua combo - oh my gracious!!
ReplyDeleteGreat release and awesome inspiring projects.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of your time, talk and create! Your cards are so interesting and cool!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards! Beautiful clean designs. Love the zentangle and the teal and red is a fabulous color combo.
ReplyDeleteWowza, awesome cards, all of them! I really love the first one - so modern looking and unique!
ReplyDeleteThere's something about those dots...I just love that new set and will buy it if I win! (maybe even if I don't)
ReplyDeleteAwesome cards - I especially love your trio of clean and simple dot art cards!
ReplyDeleteI love the Polish inspired designs. They are a folk style that I did a lot of crewel work in many years ago but haven't seen in a very long time. I hope it's coming back into favor! Love the red and aqua too!
ReplyDeleteClean and simple is so hard for me so I appreciate your cards.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely are CAS girl !! Your cards are proof ,CAQ..yes a bit and I loved it too along with all your cards.
ReplyDeleteClean And Amazing (CAA) would be my style from your cards and Altenew's sets as I always want to copy the wonderful works from you both! Thanks for all the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI doodle when I'm on the phone but don't get
ReplyDeletethe results you got. I'm not fit to be
so structured so my doodles go all over
and aren't really recognizable as
something. Love the flowers.
thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
What great cards! Altenew always comes out with the most gorgeous stamps. The Leaf Canopy is one of my favorite stamp & die sets.
ReplyDeleteLovely cards. Especially the set with the dotted leaves.
ReplyDeleteLove the zentangle! And the rose is the perfect stamp for it! Thanks for the idea - plus the idea of time on the phone!
ReplyDeletePretty cards. Love the zentangle idea, and that little bit of shading really makes a big impact in the finished look of the final image.
ReplyDeleteLove these cards, Lydia! And, I love the new release from Altenew.
ReplyDeleteWell now! I must go look at my line art stamps differently and try to tangle them!!! Love YOURS!!!!💜🌵
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is exactly the same way you are on long phone class...she literally walks circles through the house from room to room! She absolutely cannot sit still! Love your style “acronyms” ... especially CAQ 😁 my favorite sets from this release are the dot art & antique rose...but the other sets aren’t far behind !
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful cards! A great release...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Wonderful cards. I am the same as you on phone calls--maybe I should try to zentangle.
ReplyDeleteCAQ... I love it!
ReplyDeleteLove your cards. They are so sweet and simple. And I agree with you on the subject of phone calls. I really have to force myself to make them.
ReplyDeleteFabulous cards!! Love the zentangle!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice clean and simple cards!! Classy!!
ReplyDeleteFabulous cards! Love the Zentangled floral design, and the Polish style card in red and aqua! That's one of my favorite color combos too!
ReplyDeleteI, too, love clean and simple, and your cards are beautiful examples of the versatility of this wonderful Altenew release.
ReplyDeleteLove what you did! Your zentangle is amazing... I wonder who came up with that word, Zentangle? Whoever they were they might’ve been looking at your design. What are we even doing here if we are being creative, right?
ReplyDeleteCAT. Casual and terrific !
JS1225HH@gmail.com
Hi Lydia :) Your zentangled card is absolutely unique...love it...and had not thought about a stamp for it!!! Your other cards are simply amazing as well! Thank for inspiring me :)
ReplyDeleteThe cards are amazing. I will be following your blog from now on. Thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHahaha!!! I remember "Tangeling" when I was still working! And, conference calls were the worst! So happy to be retired! Your creations are amazing, and would certainly take the monotony out of any daunting task. Thanks so much for sharing. 😂😂😂
ReplyDeleteYour cards are so beautiful! I love the clean designs and the zentangle is so cool.
ReplyDeleteI love the simple designs of your cards. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful cards! I love the design with the dot art stamps!
ReplyDeleteSweet cards!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful cards! Especially loved your note card set using the Dot Art. I have always liked your style.
ReplyDeleteLove your clean and simple style for these lovely cards, and your zentangling is AWESOME!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the new dot stamp set....so creatively useful for cardmakers and scrapbookers alike.
Wow great idea to zentangle like that! Very nice cards too!
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic! I am such a fan of zentangle. I always enjoy seeing the different styles people use. I am huge fan of this new dotted stamp set. Your use of it is lovely.
ReplyDeleteYour cards are great. The dotted leaves are beautiful and I love the colors you chose. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLove how you Zentangled the wavy rose stamp!! So clever of you!
ReplyDelete