Restoring An Ancestor’s Photo In Photoshop CC

February 28, 2016 Sidney

Restored heritage photo — Before/After Restored Photo

It’s been a while since I last made a post about photography. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere on the site, I’ve been learning how to retouch and restore photographs in Lightroom and Photoshop CC for some time now.

Having completed two online courses specifically about photo restoration, I wanted to test my skills in restoring an actual heritage family photo. The photo that I chose to work on is a copy of an ambrotype (a successor process to the better-known daguerreotype). This particular image is of my great-great-grandfather, Isaac (ca. 1850s). Thanks to my cousin Jon for the scan!

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Diva Challenge #256 – Artoo and Boo-Kee

February 26, 2016 Sidney

Diva Challenge #256 Entry — Tile for Diva Challenge #256 (Tangles: Artoo, Boo-Kee)

The Diva’s challenge for this week is to create a duotangle using the patterns Artoo and Boo-Kee. Both tangles were originated by Laura and named after her two sons. Step outs are available here and here.

I enjoyed learning these two tangles. Thanks to the Diva for another fun challenge!

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Diva Challenge #254 – Valentangle

February 10, 2016 Sidney

Diva Challenge #254 Entry — Tile for Diva Challenge #254 (Tangles: Heartstrings, Lolo, Scrolled Heart)

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the Diva’s challenge for the week is to create a valentine-themed tangle. Anything goes, as long as it is consistent with the theme. Colors may be added as well!

I decided to go with a heart shaped string, and filled it with Heartstrings by Helen Williams. Afterwards I surrounded the heart with a line of Lolo by CZT Hsin-Ya Hsu. Lastly, I added a single Scrolled Heart (also by Helen Williams) at the top.

As always, thank you to the Diva for another enjoyable challenge. I wish everyone a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Diva Challenge #253 – Molygon

February 4, 2016 Sidney

Diva Challenge #253 Entry — Tile for Diva Challenge #253 (Tangle: Molygon)

Molygon was recently announced as the newest tangle in the official Zentangle newsletter from Rick and Maria. To give tanglers an opportunity to try out this brand new pattern, the Diva has selected it for this week’s Diva Challenge #253. A step out is available here. To keep up with the latest news, be sure to sign up to receive the official Zentangle newsletter here.

I found Molygon to be both easy and not so easy. The shape is simple (like a crescent moon), and yet not so simple. The main things to keep in mind are, I think, the spacing you want between the shapes, as well as how large and thick you want the shapes to be.

For my tile I wanted sort of a kaleidoscopic feel, and to evoke the image of a flower. For better or worse, this is what I came up with. On a special, personal note I want to say that my daughter (a college student) watched me shading my tile, and then asked if I would give it to her to keep. She said she loved the floral look! This made me amazingly happy, and of course I gave her the tile when I was finished. Ah, the power and serenity to Zen!

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Diva Challenge #252 – Tangle Within A Tangle

January 27, 2016 Sidney

Diva Challenge #252 Entry — Tile for Diva Challenge #252 (Tangles: Rosewood, Lap)

This week’s Diva challenge is another in her String Theory series. The Diva is challenging participants to chose a tangle to use as a string, and then to tangle within that string. As she puts it, “it’s like Inception… but with tangles”.

After a reasonably thorough search through many existing tangles, I settled on Rosewood and Lap. Rosewood was originated by Sandra Strait and a step out is available here on her blog. Lap comes to us from Lizzie Mayne. A step out can be found here.

I liked the idea of Rosewood as a frame, and then to have Lap in the center. Lap is a lot like Hollibaugh, but creates a cool woven effect. Thanks to the Diva for another fun challenge!

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Diva Challenge #251 – Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day

January 20, 2016 Sidney

Diva Challenge #231 Entry — Tile for Diva Challenge #251 (Tangles: Hua, Snafoozle)

January 24th is Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day. The Diva’s youngest son Artoo was diagnosed with Moebius Syndrome at birth. The disorder affects the nerves, and is not well known by the general public. To help raise awareness of the disorder the Diva is asking participants to use the Moebius Syndrome Foundation‘s logo as a string for this week’s challenge. Please read Laura’s post here to learn more.

I wanted to keep my tile simple, so I chose two tangles: Hua and Snafoozle. Both were new to me. Hua is a lovely pattern by Mei Hua Teng CZT (Damy), and a step out is available here. Snafoozle is a pretty tangle by Sandy Hunter CZT and is very versatile. A step out can be found here on Sandy’s blog.

I am happy to artistically support this cause, and I hope that the challenge is successful in creating more awareness of Moebius Syndrome. Best wishes to Artoo, Laura, and the rest of their family.

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Diva Challenge #250 – Bringing It Back to the Old School

January 13, 2016 Sidney

Diva Challenge #250 Entry — Tile for Diva Challenge #250 (8C, Finery, Paradox, Printemps)

For this week’s challenge the Diva asks participants to get back to the roots of Zentangle. As she notes in her blog post, the goal is a “return to the ceremony” of tangling. Rather than debating what size tile to use, or to select a color, or any of that, the idea is to pay close attention to the process. After all, Zentangle is a mindful art form which improves focus and helps with relaxation.

Using a standard white 3.5″ square tile, black pen, and pencil, I created the above piece. My string was simple and divided the area into triangles, squares, and rectangles. I had not drawn 8C before and wanted to try it. In the lower sections I chose to go with official tangles: Finery, Paradox, and Printemps.

As always, thanks to the Diva for another great challenge. Getting back to basics is always a good exercise.

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Diva Challenge #249 – Celebrate with Diva Dance and Auraknot

January 7, 2016 Sidney

Diva Challenge #249 Entry — Tile for Diva Challenge #249. with Auraknot and Diva Dance.

The Diva is kicking off 2016 with a Duotangle challenge. We are asked to create a tile using the official Zentangle patterns Auraknot and Diva Dance. Step outs are available here and here.

It is good to be getting back into a tangle routine following the holidays! I hope that you all enjoyed the holiday season with family and friends! Best wishes to everyone for a bright and wonderful new year!

My tile consists of a large Auraknot in the center, surrounded by Diva Dance along the sides. Thanks to Laura for another fun challenge.

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Diva Challenge #247 – African Artist

December 9, 2015 Sidney

Diva Challenge #247 Entry — Tile for Diva Challenge #247

This week’s Diva Challenge #247 is another Use My Tangle (UMT) challenge. For this one we are asked to create a tile using African Artist by Tina-Akua Hunziker, CZT. A step out is available here on Tina’s Akua Art blog. The pattern was inspired by a African material pattern.

Initially I found this tangle to be a little difficult. After practicing for a while I gradually found the rhythm to it. I chose to tangle on a Renaissance tile with a sienna micron pen. Thank you Laura and Tina for the opportunity to learn this pretty pattern!

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It’s A String Thing #121 – Aquafleur

December 4, 2015 Sidney

String Thing Challenge 121 Entry — Tile for It’s A String Thing #121

This week’s string thing challenge #121 is tree themed to mark the occasion of the lighting of the National Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. The challenge is to create a tile using a triangular tree-shaped string and fill it with the official Zentangle pattern Aquafleur. Adele was inspired by a beautiful Aquafleur tree tangled by CZT Carole Ohl (link). A step out for Aquafleur (by Maria Thomas) is available here.