Time for a...

...messy play-day.

Although I have to say, the only one who got messy was Andy - we all had gloves LOL

The workshop was a chance to play with alcohol inks and as there were only a few of us we were able to spread out and enjoy a lovely day playing with colour.

This inspirational piece was done by Andy (Pearson) and he said that it had been a very happy accident...

 ...my photo doesn't do it justice as it was difficult getting an angle where the light didn't cause a problem. The effect created is of a lovely bluebell dell with a view out to a stream/lake and hills in the distance - it looks stunning in real life.

Andy's picture was created using alcohol inks swirled on a textured 12x12 floor tile. A sheet of 12x12 acetate was laid onto the ink and then the ink was moved out to the edges using finger pressure and a bit of wiggling of the acetate. How the acetate is removed from the tile creates more texture and Andy then 'double dipped' areas of the acetate to create even more colour and interest.

We started off with some sheets of A5 acetate cut in half and the aim was to create a background that we would then stamp over. We used alcohol inks for some...

 ...but also used Promarkers on others...

 ...just to show the different in colour intensity...

 ...because, despite using some of the deepest coloured Promarkers...

 ...the results were very pastel in nature...

 ...giving a very soft effect compared to the inks...

 ...which tend to retain a lot more of their vibrant nature...

 ...I decided to go with one of the Promarker pieces that looked like a cloudy sky...

 ...and this was the card that I ended up with.

After lunch we came back to some more play - this time on the 12x12 sheets.

I will have to try and get some photos without the light reflection...

...because, depending on which way round you look at these pieces, you can see all sorts of images within the colour mix.

A fabulous day having the chance to play with colours that would normally be outside of our individual comfort zones.

The smaller pieces will be great for backgrounds on cards or even to punch out some petals and create flowers and the larger pieces will make very colourful scrapbook layout backgrounds...I'm sure I have some photos of daffodils that would look great against the green piece.

Next week's workshop is texture & colour and Andy wasn't letting on about what we would be doing but said it would be another messy one - better remember the pinny & gloves then.............................

Pens, Pens...

...and MORE pens.

As regular visitors will know, I have a "thing" for pens.

Many folk would call it an addiction - 'My name's Toni and I'm a pen addict' - but it isn't as if I just collect them...I do use them. Although I will admit that some get used more than others.

Here is a collection that doesn't see the light of day that often...

...it consists of my Flexmarkers and Promarkers. The problem here is probably the storage. I bought a DJ's media case from Maplins (the electrical people) when they had them on offer. I had seen this idea used by a few folk in cyberspace and thought it would be the perfect solution to the Letraset wallet situation that simply wasn't working for me. The media case is great - it holds both sets of pens safely & securely and it is easy to see all the colours at a glance - but it is bulky. It has quite a large 'footprint' so takes up a lot of space on the desk when working and because of the lid it isn't ideal for uneven surfaces such as the sofa as the lid has a habit of slamming shut (a few bruised fingers soon put paid to that as a location for using this). The other problem with this case is that it gets buried under piles of stash and then it becomes too much of a chore to dig them out so I reach for a different set of pens.

The Spectrum Noirs live in their purpose made stacking storage and my original set sit on the desk by the PC so they are always 'to hand' for a quick bit of colouring. The newer set are a permanent occupant of my crop tote so that I always have a set of pens with me.

My Distress markers live in the tubs that they came in, except for the contents of the smaller tub - the 12 colours that came in there...festive berries, iced spruce, mowed lawn etc...were placed in a Letraset folder for safety so that I could use the smaller tub and I've obviously put them away for safe keeping. However, that has meant this year's new colours have had a place to live LOL The tubs are quite handy for carrying the pens as they are quite compact and will fit easily into a bag along with some bits for colouring - great if you want to take your colouring out & about with you.

My Copics live in their wallets. The complete set of Copic Ciao pens fits into 2 and a half wallets which means there is some space for holding a few spares of the colours I use the most...

...and it is surprising how compact the 3 wallets are for transporting about.

 

Storage of my pens has proved to be the reason why some pens get used more than others. If I can't easily get to my pens, they don't get used. If the storage isn't portable, the pens don't get used.

 

I've been looking at some of the newer pens that have hit the market and I think I've finally learnt from experience and one of my considerations as to whether these pens will find a home with me is - how will I store them?

 

The new pens from the Tonic Novo range look fab because of their shape (I still think these would be good for when the old arfa-ritis is playing up) but I'm not sure how I would be able to store them so that they are easily usable. Trimcraft have a range of pens out too but I've only seen ads in magazines so I'm not sure what would be the best storage for these. The Chameleon pens are quite long because of the 'mixing chamber' so this would probably affect how they can be stored (unless the complete set was bought in one go so that they are in their ready made storage box).

 

One thing I do know is that I can't work with everything chucked in a plastic container - my pens have to be in colour order and easily accessible (I know my distress markers are in their tubs but I can see the colours at a glance - so no problem).

 

So if you have pens that are not getting used - is it because you don't 'get on' with them or is the storage causing you problems?

 

Perhaps a different method of storage will have you reaching for your pens more often. Speaking of which - I wonder where that Letraset wallet with the Diestrss markers could possibly be.............................................................. 



More colouring...

...and playing with contrasts.

Where there are double pages of designs facing each other in the colouring books, I have been having some fun trying out different colour combos and different contrasts.

This page used mainly blues, greens and a touch of beige...

 ...I love the vivid tone of the new Mermaid Lagoon Distress Marker. In complete contrast...

 ...the facing page (which in this case is a mirror image) has been coloured using yellows and oranges - very different. The great thing about having the pages side-by-side is that you can compare the different colour combos.

This one is a work in progress...

...I have used pinks on the upper flower and mauves on the lower one. On this occasion, I actually went back to some shading & blending and was very pleased with the result.

So far, I have only used Distress Markers in these colouring books but in response to a question raised on an earlier post I tried some alcohol pens.

If you are wanting to colour the designs that are printed on both sides of the pages, alcohol pens are not really suitable as they do bleed through a bit - even the water-based pens will bleed through if you make the paper too wet. However, if you are not bothered about being able to use both sides of each page you can use the alcohol pens without any problem - although I would suggest that you place a piece of paper under the page to act as a bit of protection from staining another page.

If the thought of spoiling or having to choose which side you want to colour bothers you - don't worry - there are actually quite a few books available that have images only printed on one side of each page - I would still suggest some paper as protection though if you are going to use alcohol pens.

So go on...have a play and just 'chill' for a while................................................................

Pen addict - Moi?...

...surely not LOL

Lunchtime today a group of us went to our favourite little café in Southend and had a lovely lunch and a natter in celebration of Suzie's (Weasel) birthday.

I happened to ask in passing where TK Maxx was located as another colleague had mentioned that she had picked up a few bargains in there recently - so Suzie & I returned to the office; the long way.

Now I assure you all, I only went to have a look - honest...one pack of 24 reel of assorted ribbon and a pack of paper later...

However, that wasn't as bad as Suzie's purchases and of course I got the blame (me? how could anyone believe that LOL).

Back in the office, whilst showing off our goodies - I mentioned that I had been considering buying another set of the Sharpies that WHS has on offer. Suzie laughed and said that I hadn't really needed the first set but agreed that it was too good an offer to not buy at least one set...she then asked just how many pens I own...

Ummm, this is where the title comes in.

We sat and worked out that just counting what I consider to be my 'crafting' pens, I have over 800 pens - gulp!!!

I have: -

A complete set of Copic Ciao,
Flexmarkers,
Promarkers (including the seasonal limited editions)
Spectrum Noir,
Aqua markers,
Distress markers (although they haven't arrived yet I have paid for the 12 new colours)
and now my limited edition Sharpies

Okay, so I have a thing about pens **giggle** but I do use them...umm me an addict, hmm...well......................................................................

Rocking your World Friday...

...has rolled around again and if you want to find out more just hop over to Virginia's blog.

A visit to the Celtic House (Virginia's blog) will explain that there are a small band of us who try to link up each Friday over there to share the positives/things that made us smile during the previous seven days.

I think that a lot of us are finding things a bit tough at the moment but actually stepping back for a moment and looking for even the smallest things can be very up-lifting.

So here are my 'happy' things...

I managed to finish off the memory book that a colleague had asked for and when it was handed over he was over the moon - makes a job worthwhile when the results meet with approval.

Didn't start as a positive...Monday morning as I headed for the station I got a call to tell me not to bother going in as there had been a serious water leak in the building over the weekend. The area where my team sit had taken some of the worse damage. The building was closed for the day whilst the bulk of the damage was dealt with but we all had to report for duty on Tuesday. Despite the disruption to my staff they duly found themselves places to sit elsewhere in the building and went about their duties to the best of their abilities - another reminder of what a good team of folk I have.

On Wednesday one of my staff received a recognition letter from our regional assistant director for work she did creating a virtual newsboard that all the staff in our region can view - a very proud moment. The day got better when I also received a letter thanking me for covering an absent colleague for an extended (on-going) period.

Thursday was the start of a lovely 5-day weekend for me and I just pottered about catching up on a few things and seeing some friends that I hadn't seen for a while.

Friday (today) was the awaited members weekend for March - which just happens to also be Easter weekend.

I have been keeping everything crossed that the new stampscapes stamps would arrive in time...and they did **YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!** These are the range of stamps that we recently had the chance to play with on a Pan Pastel 'try-it' lesson. As you can see... 

 ...just a few **rollseyes** jumped into my basket...

 ...the set with the rowboat was the one we had 'played with. In addition to a few 'bulid-a-scene' sets I also got these...

 ...the snowy covered bridge was probably the one that I was most looking forward to grabbing. It might not look much in the picture but the sample that is used on the company's home page is amazing.

I also managed to nab the latest limited edition Promarkers...

...the colours in this set are fabulous.

Apart from the bargains that are available during members weekend at Pinnacle Crafts, I always manage to bump into friends and we have a natter. The shop was exceptionally busy today so Hilary and I took a 'time-out' and went for a coffee and a chat...before heading back in for 'round 2' LOL

I think we were both very pleased with our purchases and we rounded the morning off with another visit to the cafe for a couple of hot chocolates.

The sun has been shining all day (although the wind has been bitterly cold) so things have seemed a bit more cheerful - isn't it amazing what a bit of sunshine can do.

Why don't you pay Virgina a visit and see what other folk have found to be positive about this week - or better still; why not join in too.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend everyone and don't forget to put the clocks forward............................................................

Pens, Pens, Pens...

...what crafter doesn't like pens!

The lovely Enfys has been given a set of Promarkers to give to one of her followers...hop on over to Going Buggy

I'm not going to show you a picture of the prize you could win as you really do need to hop on over there and see what it is all about.

Can I just say; Letraset who have provided the prize have not been stingy..........................................

Sun, Sea and...

...Surf (I wish).

I mentioned that I had made a card with an 'advanced' copy of a digi that I received from the CDAC Progressive Challenges. Well now it can be shown as the new challenge has gone live - CDACPC19...Here The image is provided by Tiffany Doodles.
I used some 'sky' card stock and a Papermania step card blank for the basis of the card.
The sentiment topper is from one of the Kanban summer ranges.
Here is a slightly 'side-on' shot to show the step effect.

I have missed the Progressive challenges and am glad that they are back. Why not hop over to the site to see what other folk have come up with - you'll also get to see the 'Stars' of this first round.......................................

All Completed...

...and stored away tidily.I am having to be careful not to pile stuff on top of my pen storage case as it is a rather handy worksurface for scissors, glue, PP, CS etc. whilst I'm working.

This is the start of a card that I really do need to get done for a colleague who will be retiring on Thursday - I'd better get my rear in gear and get it sorted.However, what I have managed to do is complete my collection of the Letraset Flexmarkers...

...and as you can see - they are all neatly put away in order ready for use.The only thing missing from the set is the Flexmarker blender pen. For some reason these only seem to come in the 12-pen packs and there is no obvious space on the stand for the individual pens. I do hope this is just an oversight on the part of Letraset and that they are made available along with the rest of the individual pens.......................................

A work in progress...

...getting there slowly.

Gosh, I didn't realise it would take so long putting stickers on my pens and colouring them. Mind you, that isn't the only thing that has taken ages...I have hunted high & low to get some small round white sticky labels to put on the ends of my pens but you would think I was searching for gold-dust. Only one store had round stickers but they were all bright 'glow-in-the-dark' type colours so I resorted to hole reinforcers.
Coming along isn't it.

I'm having second thoughts about putting the Aquamarkers in here as well. They are currently in two Letraset wallets and it seems a waste to take them out. I think I'll leave them where they are for the time being.

I need to get a few Flexmarkers this weekend - that side of the box is looking too empty for my liking LOL..................................

Super Storage...

...and such a bargain!

I have recently seen several folk in Blogland with fab cases that they have used for their Promarkers - cases that were originally designed to take 200 CD/DVDs. I have hunted high and low for these cases. Tesco had them in their on-line shop at £7.99 but guess what...printed across the image was 'discontinued'. PC World, Staples and loads of others greeted me with..."I know just what you mean - but..."; none of them stock this item any more. I looked on-line and yes the item is available but at a price - anywhere between £30 & £40 - that is a lot of Flexmarkers that could be added to my collection. Then a friend suggested I try Maplins (the electrical folk).

Rather than walk to the other side of Stratford in my lunch break only to be disappointed - again! - I checked on-line. No 200 CD case but they did have a 300 CD case with a big price tag...then I found it...

In their current promotion they have a 500 CD case reduced from £50 to £20 and Stratford had 7 in stock. So I toddled off to have a look and came back with this...
It is surprisingly light and actually doesn't take up any more room than my existing storage for my Letraset markers; ALL OF THEM!
As you can see, I have made a start on re-housing my pens.
The Flexmarkers will fit beautifully in one section...
...and once I get some sticky dot labels, my Promarkers will be moving in too. There will even be room for my Aquamarkers. My Metallic markers have 'moved-in' but that was all the labels I had to hand.

So my Letraset storage is now sorted **happy bunny** and i will actually be able to use my pens without rummaging through plastic boxes. Result!!!............................................

You could be forgiven for thinking...

...I have a 'thing' about pens.

I don't know why you might have that idea about me **rollseyes** - I mean; it's not as if I mention pens very often **giggle** or clearly droooooooool over new releases LOL...

Perhaps it could be the fact that I have this little lot...
A complete set of Copic Ciao markers - my favourite - always close to hand and boxed so that I can easily see the colours I wish to use.
A complete set of Promarkers...
...not so fond of these - mainly because of storage. The wallets take up too much space and rummaging through boxes is too much of a chore when I want to do some colouring.

There is also a complete set of Aquamarkers that I haven't used very much.
Then there are my latest collectables - my Flexmarkers. I love these. The brush tip is fab and the 'fatter' body of the pen is great for when the old 'arfa-ritis' is playing up. I have been patiently waiting for Letraset to release the rest of the colours as singles so that I can complete my set and what do they go and do - add to the colours - there are now 92 in this range...still, never mind, only 35 more to get LOL
I sat and did some colouring last night but didn't get as much done as I'd hoped as the old wrists were complaining.
This tea/coffee pot was one of the first digi images that I received when I registered for the CDAC Progressive Challenges - I just love the design. Not sure how I'll use it yet but it doesn't hurt to build up a stock of coloured images - I've sadly allowed my stockpile to dwindle over Christmas & New Year.
This little miss is a Kenny K digi image that I have used a few times and I know what I'm going to do with her as I have some Kanban papers that I am eager to make use of. There is something about this image that always leads me to a Red/White/Blue colour scheme - it just seems to fit.

This Saturday there is a free demo day at Pinnacle Crafts - one of the Letraset DT is coming along to show some techniques & tips for using their pen ranges...guess where I'm going to be from 10am to 4pm...................................

Have you seen...

...these lovelies?

Letraset are bringing out a limited edition of Spring Promarkers (seems to be a popular concept - Mr Holtz has just had his Autumn & Winter Distress Ink pad stacks). The pens in this set are new colours specially aimed at the spring crafting ranges.

Colours include:
•Budding Rose
•March Hare
•Daffodil Bloom
•Fresh Meadow
•April Shower
•Morning Mist

Don't they sound lovely.

Some web outlets have them on pre-order as they are not yet available but I think I'll talk nicely to my local stockist and find out when they are due to receive them.

Oh, and just in case you missed it...Mr Holtz will be showing his new pens at CHA.
37 colours (the original 36 Distress Ink shades + Picket Fence). These react with water so just like the Distress ink pads you can use these to 'water-colour'.

Ooooo, lots of new pens to save up for............................

Day 12...

...has arrived at "Catch the Bug".

Instead of 12 Drummers drumming the challenge is to create a card using a Christmas song as the inspiration.
This cutie of a snowman has always made me think of the song 'Frosty the Snowman' so I thought it was just right for this challenge.
Think I might have gone overboard with the stickles as you can only see 'Frosty' if you hold the card at the right angle LOL The lettering on the card has been done by hand using a silver Metallic marker.

Well that's it for the 12 Days of Christmas challenge over at Catch the Bug - it was fun taking part and great seeing what everyone came up with...................

Day 11...

...over at "Catch the Bug".

The challenge this time is to use plaid on the creation.
So here is my little elf from the Christmas Blocks collection of images.
Layered on a matt of red plaid paper from a very old stack that I found in my stash.
The image has been coloured with Copic pens and Letraset gold Metallic marker. A few areas have been highlighted with stickles.

Do pop by the challenge site to see what the DT and other folk came up with..........................

CDACPC8...

...the Progressive challenges are now up to part 8 over at CDAC.

The theme this time relates to how "animals hold our hearts" and this cute little dog was supplied by 'just some lines'.
The base card is black bazzill CS and the background matt is a piece of decorative CS from Kanban.
The digi image has been coloured using Copic pens and I have used the green Letraset Metallic marker to edge it so that it blends with the background.

Why don't you hop over to the CDAC site and see all the things they have going on over there..............................

Day 10...

...over at "Catch the Bug".

Rather than 10 Lords a leaping the theme for today is a masculine card.

Most boys will have played with toy soldiers at some time so I thought this image was just right - it is actually the Nutcracker from the ballet The Nutcracker Suite but I think he fits the bill.
A row of these images looks like a row of tin soldiers.
The images have been coloured using Copic pens and the Letraset Metallic markers in Gold. Each image has been mounted in its own panel and edged with the gold marker. Hope you like.....................