It is time for Diva’s annual Beads of Courage (#319) update. For those of you who do not follow, Beads of Courage is a program where children undergoing medical procedures, especially lengthy ones, are rewarded for their fortitude whilst undergoing things like tests, and blood draws, and all sorts of scary things. It also creates a way for kids to be able to tell their stories in a colorful and fun way, instead of making it always sad. You can read more about the program here.
In past years, I have done tiles involving beads in some way. I did one for my sister-in-law, Marie, who was battling breast cancer at the time. I did one that juxtaposed beauty and duty. And one that celebrated Pride.
I decided this year to go in a different direction. I decided o be courageous myself. I am often reticent to try tangles that “look hard” or seem “complicated. So I thought to myself…”Self, you are a CZT. You are an artist. Why would you think it is hard, when you know Zentangle is easy?” So I saw this pattern, My Swing by Simone Menzel, CZT, on one of the many FaceBook groups I belong to, and thought I should give it a try. And to make it more challenging, to do it small, on a 3Z tile (I had already done the circle bit in the center, for something else I wanted to try, so I used that as my “string.”)
I think it came out pretty neat, and I felt really good when I was finished with it!
From the UFO (UnFinished Objects) pile, I have a tile that dates back to TangleU 2015 in Santa Fe, from Sharla Hicks’ Mooka Blues class.
And I finally started working the page dividers in my Zen Journal (real name of notebook, I swear) that I keep my tangle step outs in.
There is still time to get in on the fun in Saturday’s Pointed Pen class (Monthly and Seasonal Specials)! I worked up this lovely card that a CZT I know is going to get in the mail soon!
I think the part I like about these best is they are so pretty!
And last weeks quick trip up to San Francisco was fun, cold, and the Giants did not prevail. But, did I mention it was fun?
Loads of work to do! Make Stuff!
CharKat's Creative Insanity 
All so very beautiful!
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I love your old and new BOC tiles and I envy tanglers who dare to draw with a white pen. I hardly succeed drawing highlights let alone a whole tangle on a whole tile. You are Courageous, indeed.
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Nice to see previous bead tiles and to see the brave new one! I don’t know why some tangles just seem to be difficult until you actually push yourself to do them. Also, nice to see your smiling face!
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I loved seeing your previous Bead tiles and hearing of the meaning behind them. They are all beautiful! I love this new bead tile too. MySwing looks great and I like the large centre bead. I too lack the courage to really “step into” my art completely…. take risks. I always play it safe…. knowing the outcome. Zentangle is helping with that, although I am still guilty of “planning” my most tiles! This Diva challenge… that was my goal! To do my challenge with the courage to let go of the outcome, and just let it all be. 🙂
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