Wednesday, 10 September 2014

Craft book review - Zentangle 2

I have another craft book to review for you.  GMC sent me quite a few when their last catalogue came out and I'm still working my way through them.  This one is Zentangle 2, Expanded Workbook Edition.

Before we go any further, the disclaimers.  I was sent the book for free to review but I was not told what to say and all opinions are 100% my own.  I didn't receive any monetary compensation.  Links in this post, as with all my book posts, are affiliated.  If you click over and buy something, I get a few pence towards an Amazon voucher.  

I'm quite intrigued by Zentangles, I'm an avid doodler in meetings or when I'm on the phone (I got told off for it in my appraisal, apparently it makes it look like you're bored!), so I wanted to see what this was all about.  I like the idea that it can be used for scrapbooks and journals, and presumably other papercrafts, too.



It's only a thin little book, but it's got a lot of patterns in it.  They're laid out like below, showing you how to make each one, then a picture of them in use.



You can put Zentangles into shapes too, and this page gives some fab examples.



There are then some workbook pages, letting you fill the boxes with Zentangle designs, the ones shown and the previous ones.  I like the one on the left below as it looks like pinwheel quilt blocks.



Then there are some shapes, all divided up ready, to fill with tangles.



Want to see my attempt?



I did this whilst watching TV and enjoyed it.  It was relaxing, but more structured than normal doodling.



Since then I've been filling up the workbook squares when I'm not stitching or knooking or kumihimoing.



As well as using tangles in papercrafts, my "big idea" was a Zentangle stitchery.  I'm using a piece of Sashiko cloth in indigo and some white Sashiko thread.  I've only got as far as dividing my circle, but next I'll move on to the patterns.  I'm not sure if this will work as the thread is quite thick, only time will tell, so stay tuned!




  • Paperback: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Design Originals; Revised edition (7 May 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1574219103
  • ISBN-13: 978-1574219104
  • Product Dimensions: 27.2 x 20.8 x 0.5 cm
  • .

    Linking up to:
    Craft Book Sew Along at Live. Love. Create.







    Something New for 2014



    Celtic Thistle Stitches  



    Disclaimer:


    I was given a review copy of the book by GMC however this review and all opinions are 100% my own, I was not told what to say.  Amazon links are affiliate links.

    5 comments:

    Sarah in Stitches said...

    Very interesting! Thanks for sharing :D

    Anonymous said...

    That book looks like great inspiration for quilting patterns.
    I do like your idea of translating it into embroidery.

    Jane said...

    Look forward to seeing how it translates to fabric

    Rachel said...

    Maybe if you find a finer thread for the fillings? Or alternatively, just pick your fillings particularly carefully to work well in the thicker thread.
    I rather think you have a lot of experimentation in your future - have fun!

    Jo Ferguson said...

    I like the idea of using a zentangle in a stitched piece. It would also be useful for possible quilting designs. Thanks for the review.