A week or so ago - when I posted my Zentangles from my Middle East trip - I described my adventure in figuring out the steps to drawing the basket on the ship's deck. I asked if anyone could figure out the steps for "TASKET" from my sketchy clues. Sandra Strait did it!!

Easy-peasy, eh? And in typical Sandra Strait-style, she went one better and designed a fancy new version called "HYTINGU." (Sandra, can you post where the name comes from? Inquiring minds want to know!!)

I drove myself crazy with this one because I kept seeing it as some slanted form of Keeko. But it wasn't until I turned my head and squinted at it in frustration that I actually saw the zig-zag structure!! The zig-zags are almost completely disguised by the time all the lines are drawn. I think this is the real challenge of designing a new tangle. How do you break it down into 6 or less simple steps? it can be really tough. There are a bunch of beautiful, complex patterns that I came across while working on THE BOOK - that I gave up on. They had to be drawn or sketched, not built. When I get back from VA, I may post some and see what you all make of them! If they make your brains melt trying to figure out the steps... well, I will feel a lot better! Tee-hee.

Oh, and before I run off again, I wanted to remind you to take a look at Sandra Strait's sites (she has a bunch of great tangles in "Totally Tangled" as well!)  Her Flickr albums are amazing! the one titled "Zendoodles" has over 600 images! Yowza. And her blog Life Imitates Doodles has lots of links and tangle instructions too. If you have been wondering about how to use color in your Zentangles, Sandra does it expertly!

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