EXPERIMENTS: NOT ALWAYS PRETTY BUT FUN

Two practice tangles today, my first try at both:

Looks as though I have a lot to learn about both of these; both need practice.  Sam Taylor didn't misspell her tangle; she took out the "h" to distinguish it from the narwhal whale that inspired the form.

Next I went outside and noticed it was just as warm and humid as I had guessed, meaning I won't get to the studio today because it will be unbearable there. 

So...more tangling.  This time I tried a new one called Frost Flowers, starting in the upper left and then scattering the flowers around, finally doing an experimental version on the lower left.

And after that, I decided to see if I could combine all of them in one tile, so here it is.  I truly enjoyed doing this and found it quite meditative, and I can also step back and see just how much I have to learn about composition, LOL! 

But no matter.  It may not be pretty, but I *am* practicing, and that is what counts.  It's kind of hilariously awkward.

I've been working so hard on the rug that I haven't had much time for tangling.  It appears I am capable of doing on only one project at a time.  I have truly missed tangling and now that the weather is about to turn stinky (my definition of stinky = hazy, hot, and humid) I will be able to focus more on tangling and will...alas...have to abandon the rug. 

Wool + hazy + hot + humid + no a/c is a dreadful prospect.

What I love about both of these arts is that they are both entirely meditative.  One line at a time when tangling.  One loop at a time when hooking.  Both lend themselves to complete absorption in the moment.  Both teach me to focus.  Both calm the mind , and although one does eventually get a result from both, the aim of any given moment is not results-oriented. 

Contemplative art/craft...along with meditation, these are highlights in any day in which I get to practice.