Guide to Zentangling

Hey there! I’m here to tell you all about how to create your own zentangle in four easy steps! Now some of you might be wondering, what exactly is a zentangle? A zentangle is some kind of drawing (abstract or realistic) filled with different sections of structured patterns. They also look really cool as backgrounds, designs on lettering, or anything else you can imagine. It’s a fun and relaxing way to entertain yourself-especially during those really long classes. They are very easy to create, but here’s a guide to some of the basics to help get you started.

  1. Gather materials

The first step, of course, is to find your materials. I normally just use a pen or sharpie, but you can also switch it up by using colored scratch-off paper. Sharpie pens and colored pencils work great too.

2. Divide paper into sections

You can draw random lines, overlapping geometric shapes, or even just a normal drawing, so you can have different sections to fill in. The above pictures already have patterns in them, but you can see where they divide. This is what you want to draw right now! They can be as small or large as you’d like. It’s all a matter of preference!

3. Find pattern ideas

 

This step is optional, but I find it extremely helpful to look up ideas for patterns to fill in your drawing. It can be hard to come up with ideas on your own beyond simple stripes and polka dots. For a more detailed zentangle, choose more intricate designs that you don’t color in, and has lots of lines. Having a variety of different pattern thicknesses and sizes will also make your zentangle more interesting to look at.

4. Fill it in!

Now for the best part-filling it in! Take the pattern ideas you have or make it up as you go, if you like. Just take your time on each section, relax, and have fun! Happy zentangling!

Restaurant Review: Penguin Brothers

Hello!!! This is my review of The Penguin Brothers, an amazing ice cream sandwich shop. Recently introduced to Penguin Brothers, they have two main venues: one in Provo, Utah, as well as one in Salt Lake City. Now, what is so special about their food? They serve ice cream sandwiches, pizookies-a heavenly warm, half baked cookie served with a scoop of ice cream on top-or regular ice cream! Though there really is nothing regular about it; it’s thicker and creamier than you could ever imagine. They have lots of unique (and delicious) flavors, including Strawberry Nutella, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, and No Bake Cookie. Here’s a link to their menu.

S’mores Sunday Pizookie

 

My personal favorite is their pizookie: which is so good it’s hard to describe. I like the combination of their double fudge cookie and their Dark Chocolate Sea Salt ice cream. Rich and chocolate-y, it is absolutely divine! The warm cookie is very thick and doughy, which allows the ice cream to melt on top of it, creating rivers of ice cream goodness. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Luigi’s Mansion Ice Cream Sandwich

Next up, value. Some items can cost about seven dollars, especially if you choose toppings. However, the money is absolutely worth it. Even their ice cream cup comes with about four large scoops of ice cream. The place itself also is very fun and charming. Pink walls, penguin doodles, and workers dressed in bow ties, Penguin Brothers definitely has a fun atmosphere. All in all, The Penguin Brothers is the perfect place to go to find your new favorite dessert place!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Top Ten Favorite Books

Hi there! It’s Ashlyn. Again. As an avid reader and huge nerd, I’m here today to tell you about some of my favorite books and series. These recommendations span from anything to science fiction to killer romances. (Killer? Get it? No? Keep reading to see what I mean.) These books are not ranked in order, as I love all of these books equally. Happy reading!

  1. Heist Society

One of my favorite book series of all time is probably Heist Society, by Ally Carter (who also happens to be one of my favorite authors). In this book, the main character, Kat Bishop, lives in a world of crime. She and her family are master con artists. But when Kat tries to leave her old life behind, she gets pulled back into the game. In order to save who she loves, she must plan one more impossible job, and she doesn’t know who to trust. I love this book! The characters are smooth, the style sophisticated, and the concept unique. This is a must-read!

      2. The Hunger Games

Next up, The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins! Now this is a popular one that actually deserves the hype. It’s a three book series (not including the prequel, which is also amazing) that has also been made into movies. I will say, I actually loved the movies, and thought they lived up to the books’ potential. In case you haven’t heard of it, this series centers around Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a dystopian world.  She lives in one of 13 impoverished districts, and her name is drawn to compete in the Hunger Games, at fight to the death for the people’s enjoyment. This series is absolutely amazing, angsty, and the series just gets better as it goes along.

3. Scythe

This next one is called Scythe, by Neal Schusterman. This is another dystopia (because it’s my favorite genre), and it’s also really good. It centers around two characters in a perfect world. Death, disease, and despair are all rid from the planet. However, as a means for population control, a select few people are chosen to be Scythes: humanity’s way of killing people in the most compassionate way possible. This is a great book if you’re not a fan of romance, and enjoy science fiction! I recommend this series highly, as the concepts and characters are so interesting.

4. The Westing Game

The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin. This will always be a classic in my mind. It isn’t a hard read, nor is it very long, but it’s one I’ve reread time and time again. It revolves around lots of unlikely heirs to a mysterious man’s fortune. At the reading of the will, they discover that he didn’t die of natural causes, as they all thought. They all have to interpret the clues they are given, and no one can be trusted. Read this book!

5. Harry Potter

This one probably isn’t a surprise to you: Harry Potter, by JK Rowling. I won’t talk much about this one, but I will say: to everybody who hasn’t read this, you should! It may seem boring at first, but as you read, the books get better and better! My favorites in this series are the fourth and seventh books.

6. Bone Crier’s Moon

Bone Crier’s Moon, by Kathryn Purdie: Paris, death, and revenge? This book is about all of these things, and let me tell you-it’s amazing! There are a few main characters in this book: Ailesse, a Leuress responsible for protecting and guiding departed souls to the Underworld. But the job comes with a catch. She must find the one she is destined to love, enchant him, then kill him. However, Bastien, a different character has plans. One of the Leuress killed his father, and he won’t stop until he gets his revenge. This book might seem strange at first glance, but the plot twists and characters are worth it.

 

7. The Lunar Chronicles

Before I tell you that Cinder, by Marissa Meyer, is just another Cinderella retelling, let me assure you that this one is different than the others because it’s in the science fiction genre. In this retelling, Cinder lives in a futuristic world, and she is a cyborg mechanic-a second class citizen. With the plague running wild and the Lunars threatening war, this book is more than meets the eye. It’s unpredictable, unique, and has become a recent favorite.

 

8. Embassy Row

Embassy Row is another series by Ally Carter. The second and third books are my favorite. In this world, the main character, a rebellious girl, lives on Embassy Row in the country of Adria. Politics, mysteries, and danger lurk around every corner. Once again, things get much better after the first book.

9. Not if I Save You First

Yet another Ally Carter book, Not if I Save You First is a standalone novel in which the main character is best friends with the president’s son, Logan. Until, of course, she is forced to move to Alaska, away from all civilization. When Logan shows up seven years later after ignoring all communication from her, she is furious. But when Logan is kidnapped, and there is no way to call for help, she has to try to save him-all while trying to survive the freezing weather. I absolutely adore this book! Highly recommend.

10. Out of My Mind

 

 

It’s been a while since I last read Out of My Mind, by Sharon M. Draper. I will say though, I still love it, even if it makes me cry every time-yes, it’s that kind of book. It’s about a girl with a form of cerebral palsy, and she can move nothing but her thumbs. Unable to speak, she is stuck in a class far too easy for her. When she gets a chance to switch classes, she is thrilled at the chance to show her genius. However, her smarts are hard to communicate, and the other kids aren’t as nice as they seem to be. I highly suggest you read it.

About Me!!!

Hello there!!! My name is Ashlyn Cline. Just a little bit about me:  In fifty years, I can see myself just hanging out on the beach with my family, reading a book. If I had to live off of one food for the rest of my life it would be cookies, because cookies are pretty much the best. My biggest pet peeve is when people think my name is Ashley, because it’s kind of not my name…? Something I will never eat again is a bowl of Frosted Flakes cereal. Is there anything worse? *shudders* If I could live in any fictional world, I would live in the Hunger Games books-just so I could see all the drama go down with Katniss and Peeta. So that’s me!!! See ya around!!! 

Just a nasty picture of me in Photo Booth!!! Woohoo!!!
Me!!!