Christmas Delivery - Friday 17th October

Good Morning Friends,

Catching up, an accolade and new pens!

Well, I hope I have managed to catch up with you all this morning, even if I have just managed to comment on your latest posts. I was hoping to get back on track this week, but it's been a bit of an up and down week really...first there was news about a good friend's health which has been such a shock, that I can't stop thinking about her; I've been working odd days and had a library meeting last night, which was fine...ssshh...but it is literally the only meeting I go to that I enjoy! Probably because they are a nice bunch of people and there's no work pressure.

Tomorrow morning myself and a couple of my volunteers are taking part in an event in the library aimed at people who are soon to retire (though anyone can come), we will be extolling the benefits of volunteering.

Because my work days were messed about this week, I was actually home Tuesday and Wednesday and it was good to be home two days in a row. I got a few Christmas cards made, some Halloween bits and pieces and made a start on the birthday cards I need to make. I have some commissions from a regular customer who gave me her year's requests back in January and a lot of friends and family have their birthdays coming up in November...then yesterday one of my librarian friends asked if i could make a retirement card for the lady who drives the mobile...by next Thursday! I really have no time, but she is such a lovely lady, I just couldn't say no.

I have been working on a mega Halloween creation, remember my haunted house? Well this is a whole scene and is seriously Edgar Allen Poe. I'm having problems getting good photos, so am going to have another go after writing this post!

Speaking of my haunted house, I was thrilled to  receive a Top 3 in Eileen Hull's Artists on the Block Challenge: http://www.eileenhull.com/2014/10/spook-tacular-sizzix-projects.html

I thought of the joy I felt when I heard I got this placement (thank you Anne, I saw your comment first letting me know the news!) when I read Darnell's very inspiring post today, in which she talks about how we feel when we do or don't receive comments or accolades about our craft. I had put a lot of time into that house, so to get a bit of recognition for it did raise a big smile.  If you haven't read Darnell's post,  pop over and have a look, because I am sure it applies to us all....http://www.djkardkreations.com/2014/10/enjoy-journey-banishing-old-man.html


Now finally to today's post! I am a very lucky girl because recently one of  extended my US family sent me some pens. An illustrator friend had passed them to her,in case she knew anyone who could use them. She isn't a crafter so she had no use for them and sent them over. I received them at my busiest time, thought they looked very interesting, but resolved to leave them in the box until I had time to play..yeh right! Within a day I had them out (late at night, when I normally don't craft) and made this card, but I haven't had time to post it before.

I am a Promarker girl through and through, I have tried other pens but none have even tempted me to replace my beloved promarkers. My dad, when he drew a cartoons used them, a person I used to work with who did graphic art used them and I love them. I have a big collection and intend to keep it growing...but these pens are a totally new idea and I have to admit I love them!

They are called Chameleon pens and imagine by amazement the other week when I happened to tune in to Create and Craft whilst I had an hour to craft and saw them there...not only that but it seems you can only buy them there in this Country for several months...what a wide smile, I have them and they were a gift!

These are alcohol pens, just like the Promarkers and other makes, the difference in these is that you can create a great number of shades with just one pen by using a mixing chamber included in each pen. They will take a lot of practice to get used to the mixing. I thought I would find that part a bit tiresome, but I didn't and they have a good site with tutorials. They aren't meant to replace your usual alcohol pens and they worked perfectly in conjunction with my Promarkers, which would still be my first choice for something where not much blending and highlighting is needed, but you will be seeing a lot more of Chameleons on here!

All the green on the car was coloured with one pen, using the mixing chamber to lighten the colour...I was pretty pleased with it as the first time I'd used them. This was several weeks ago and I've not had much time to colour since, but I have used them a few times and I can see that they could become an addiction! :)

This is a Stampendous stamp, that I think I brought back from the USA last year. I created the snow using Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels: Iced Snow, which give a lovely glistening raised effect as they are quite thick in texture. The backing paper is from a paper pad by Lily of the Valley that I bought last year.

Well I am  off to try and photograph the spooky scene whilst the sun is still shining making the light  a bit better! I realise I have still not show the photos from last week's workshop, so will endeavour to do so at the weekend.


Love and Hugs
Carole X

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