Simple Zendala booklets to hang, display or carry

First off, here is my Diva Challenge entry for the week. The challenge was stripes. I wanted to do another Zendala and thought I'd combine the two. Not sure I pulled off stripes, but I like it! Tangles used: Aquafleur, Sprigs, Ilana, and Maize (variation).

Nice timing that the Zentangle® blog just posted suggestions for displaying Zentangle art. I've been working on a display/storage option myself. If you hadn't noticed, I've been doing a lot of Zendalas lately. (Mandalas drawn with the Zentangle Method typically drawn on 4 5/8" diameter round tiles from Zentangle.). To see more of my Zendalas, click on the Zendala label on the right side of my blog.

Well, after you get so many Zendalas, you need storage for them, right? And they are just too pretty to put in just any old CD case. So here's what I came up with. You can adjust the number of pockets to fit your need (whim). You can easily load each pocket with two Zendalas, front and back.

You can hang them.

See, the hole for hanging isn't even visible.

Or you can display them.

You can modify them for Apprentice tiles.

You can simply accordion fold the booklet to take with you.

Here's what you will need:

A hole punch (I used 1/8" for eyelets and a larger punch for hanging)
Eyelets to match your hole punch size (for a 5 pocket booklet you need 8 eyelets)
Eyelet setter - (you could probably substitute small brads for the eyelets)
Some type of clips to hold pockets together temporarily (I used 4)
A piece of paper for a template, cut to the same size as your pocket (mine was 5" x 5")
Clear plastic CD/DVD pockets * (I used 5 per booklet)

* I used Memorex clear CD & DVD Keepers that I purchased at Office Depot. I don't remember the price but it looks like they are about $10 for 50 on Amazon. While they do have their logo embossed on the pockets, I didn't find it too obtrusive. I don't notice it on the completed booklet. Also, on the opposite side from the logo, they have a half moon cut. Again, I don't notice this. Check out the photos, they are hardly recognizable. However, you could check out different brands to see if you could avoid either of these.

Important note: Regardless of the number of pockets your completed book will have, you need 1 pocket with only 2 holes punched in the top and 1 pocket with only 2 holes punched at the bottom. All the other pockets need to have 4 holes.

Steps:
1) Mark your template at 1/2" up from the bottom and 1/2" over from each side.

2) Clip your template to the back of 1 or several pockets. Make sure the pockets open in the same direction and face the same direction. Take time to line it up exactly with edge of pockets (those pockets are slippery and move around easily). Punch through all but one pocket at the bottom (this one will be your bottom or base pocket.. see important note above). I punched 4 pockets and the template at once, but you can do one or two at a time with your template if you prefer or if your hole punch requires less.

3) Clip the template to the flaps taking time to line up the template where the fold line is on the pocket and making sure all pockets are facing the same direction.  Punch.  Do this on all but one pocket (remember that Important note above)

4) Assembly. You will be working bottom to top. Take the pocket with only the 2 holes in the flap. This is the bottom or base pocket. Position it so the opening is toward the top. Take any of the center pockets, facing same direction and place the bottom of that pocket over the holes in the base flap. Position eyelets through holes and set. (You may find the clips helpful here too.)

5) Continue moving up, placing the next pocket on top of the previous flap. Place eyelets and set.

6) The top or final pocket goes on in exactly the same manner. Once it is on, you can decide if you want a single hole in the center of the top flap for hanging. I did not use an eyelet for decoration as I didn't want it obstructing the view of the Zendala when closed.

7) Accordion fold the pockets. Unfold and you're done! Fill with your beautiful Zendalas and hang. Or stand them up to display. When you need to take them along, simply fold them up and go!

To modify this for Apprentice tiles, remember to change the placement of the eyelets. I set mine 1/4" in from bottom and side and the tiles fit fine.

I'd say the only real drawback of this booklet is that you sometimes see the glare reflected on the plastic and you don't get to feel the paper. But you can easily take them in and out and they are protected. I think it's a fair trade off.

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The cover of my mini-book for Zentangle® tiles

If you saw my post yesterday, you know I'm working on mini-books to hold either ATC cards, or Zentangle tiles. I incorporated this week's Diva Challenge #174, superimposing strings, to adorn the cover of my newest Zentangle tile mini-book. The finished book is 4" x 4" and is made from Strathmore Art Paper. Mine came in a pad of 12" x 18" assorted colors. I cut a sheet of blue down to 11" x 16". It was a little difficult to fold, and the paper is heavy enough that it doesn't want to stay closed, but I'm working on a closure for it. The blue looks awesome, doesn't it? I think storing completed tiles with blue accents including the renaissance tiles, will be an ideal choice. For more on how to make these mini-books, check out this post.
My superimposed string resembles a framed basketball with the mark of Zorro!

In addition to the string in pencil, I used Sakura Microns in both blue and black. Shading and highlighting was done with Faber-Castell Polychromos Prussian Blue and General's Charcoal White.

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Mini book for ATCs can also be modified for Zentangle® tiles

I made this little pocket book years ago before I knew anything about Artist Trading Cards (ATCs). It is the perfect size for them at 3" x 4" and an easy project as it only uses one sheet of 12" x 12" paper. The trick is finding the right paper. My first book is made from a wonderful sheet of lightweight yet sturdy paper that is almost fabric like. It feels like a suede on one side and more like paper on the other. Once I found Zentangle, it has held up well carrying either ATCs or my tangle instruction cards. There are 8 pockets so it can carry a nice variety of cards.
I took this mini book to my CZT seminar along with its modified version to hold tiles. I thought I'd share the "how to" information with you today. I even found the link to the YouTube I used initially here!
I went in search of some similar paper to what my original book was made from. Easier said than done. You need 12x12 double sided paper but I just wasn't finding that durable fabric quality. As I pondered this problem, I thought maybe I could make the solution from the faux leather technique! Here's the link to my earlier post about the faux leather. So I simply used typical scrapbooking cardstock for the faux leather and here are the results. I would suggest NOT using a white core paper as you will likely have some white, worn areas showing after going through this technique. My faux leather mini books are about three times thicker than my original, (faux leather book is approximately the thickness of half a deck of cards) but seem to be very sturdy. I simply inked and sealed both sides instead of adding fabric to one side. I'm very happy with them but am still on the look out for the perfect paper.

To make the mini book for the 3.5 x 3.5" tiles (the book is 4" x 4") modify the instructions to use a 16" x 11" piece of paper. This example is cut from a double sided poster sized specialty paper found at an art supply store. I modified the original instructions so that the pockets are only 1.5" deep.

The stamped image on the front of my original mini book (tan) is from Paper Parachute and was heat embossed. I'd like to give credit to the smaller stamp image on the pockets as well, but I just can't locate the stamp (could I have a lost stamp? Oh my!) If anyone knows the company, please let me know so I can give appropriate credit. The stamped images on the faux leather are from Stampin Up! using Stazon ink. I felt only two were smooth enough to stamp on after the faux leather technique.

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Scraps and ATCs

More treasures from my box of scraps, that magical pile from my box of things just waiting to happen! Like my inchie project, these all came to be from pieces of not quite good enough at the time, or maybe just not quite the right color, etc. Now look at them! It's about time I replenished my ATCs (artist trading cards). I only ever seem to have one or two at a time and of course I want to give away two or three so I never quite have enough. Plus, I need to stock up for my Zentangle® CZT seminar later this summer! I know I'll meet lots of people to trade with!
For me, what helped the most to turn the scraps into art is having a template "frame" so that I can see exactly where the ATC would look best from the scrap piece and then cut. Sometimes some additional drawing, stamping, or inking etc was needed to complete the card. Other times nothing else was needed.

Most of the images here are stamped, one photograph of my hand drawn mandala and of course tangles that I've drawn. Stamped images include Single Iris by Penny Black, Poetic Prints Pastel Petals by Hero Arts, Fresh Bloom by Stampendous, Hello, Doily by Stampin Up, Pink Gerbera Daisy and Upsy Daisy by Inkadinkado, and Columbines from Stampa Rosa.

And check out this little gem. My local zentangle instructor, BJ Thompson, suggested a photo cube to display my zentangle tiles. I was looking for one when I found this acrylic "Photo Pen Cup". The ATCs fit perfectly around the sides. There's not quite enough room inside for me to completely fill the space, but I can stack several diagonally. Still looking for the photo cube.

For The Diva Challenge this week, I'm not quite sure if it's a new tangle or a variation of Tink. But be sure to check out the other examples!

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