Hi and welcome back to the Chrissie Murphy Designs Blog. I’m moving on to the next fragment in the Magnified Fragments project today. Today we are looking at Fragment A5 using Coffee Stain Map Tangling as an enhancer. So let’s get into it and I’ll fill you in on all you need to know.

The Expressive Bits
What is the Magnified Fragments Project and where can I find out more about it?
Well in short, it’s the biggest project I have ever undertaken! There is greater detail about the project and what’s involved in the very first blog post for the project – Magnified Fragment A1 using Echo Lines as an Enhancer
We’re currently about 15% of the way through the project, having recently started the B Fragments. Most importantly though, you are still welcome to join us – you can join in and follow along using the hashtag #MagnifiedFragments at any time.
And lastly, check out our Magnified Fragments Gallery! It’s full of all the fragments that Expressive’s have created in the project so far. It’s absolutely amazing!!

What is Fragment A5 using Coffee Stain MapTangling as an Enhancer?
Above is a close up of Fragment A5 .
I have created a tile using this fragment as my string. In doing so, I effectively magnified it.
Coffee Stain Maptangling was the enhancer for this tile. Deborah Pace of Tangle U Productions describes the technique of Map Tangling as follows:
“Map Tangling is a Zentangle Inspired Art that combines watercolors with tangle patterns. Using watercolors to create unexpected strings, you will then tangle on them with pen and ink for colorful results and see what emerges.”
Deborah Pace of Tangle U Productions
So coffee was used to stain the tile, as watercolour normally would, before tangling on it.
I chose the following tangles for my Fragment A5 using Coffee Stain Map Tangling as an enhancer:
- Mooka 3D by Eni Oken. I really enjoyed trying to use it in a directional way.
- Caviar by Lori Howe.
- Jetties by Zentangle.
- Tipple by Zentangle. You guessed it. One more Mac and Cheese tangle!

What does it mean in terms of my artistic work as a whole?
I have found during the duration of this project, that most weeks there is something I’m wanting to try with my tile. It’s usually something small, and for this fragment, I wanted to try using the same tangle to create clear sections.
I thought Mooka 3D would be a great tangle to use as it has a long stem that I could manipulate to imply direction. If each section of tangles flowed in a different direction, I would be able to imply clear sectioning with one type of tangle.
So this is what I did. I’m enjoying the tiny little treasures that are there waiting to be discovered within each tile. It’s a great opportunity to continue to grow as a Tangler.

How can you take this idea and be more Expressive?
Do you ever have little things you want to try with your tiles? Sometimes I’m not even sure of what they are until the string is down. It’s like the string guides possibilities.
Here’s a few ideas I’ve tried in the past;
- Tangle in biro
- Colour in biro
- Extend stems
- Tangle within tangles
- Group like with like
- Stack tangles
- Split tangles
- Rotate tangles
You get the idea. Little things that are interesting to try while tangling. They add that little bit extra to your expression. Give it a try this week.

The Factual Bits
The materials used
- Zentangle Tile
- Uniball Signo Gel pens in sepia and white
- Grey Copic Markers in W4, W5 and W7
- Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils
- Moccona Instant Expresso Coffee
How big is Fragment A5 using Coffee Stain Map Tangling as an enhancer?
It is 4 inches x 4 inches square.

Want to be more Expressive?
Join the Expressive’s List to begin to learn ways you can start to express yourself creatively. With the Lord there are no moulds or limits, just possibilities, and the promise of unearthing who you were created to be.
Expressive Subscribers receive an email each month that contains creative inspiration and ideas, links to helpful resources and a month’s worth of journal prompts to stimulate creative expression. These prompts are a great way of learning to express yourself when you’ve never really tried it before. Fill in your details below to sign up.
Until next time, listen to your heart and sharpen your coloured pencils. A masterpiece awaits!
Bless you my friend
Chrissie xx
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