Scarlet Lime Pen...

 I've heard so much about the Scarlet Lime pen that is supposed to write over practically anything. As much as I looove Pitt pens, I've ruined many of them by writing over acrylic paints. I doodled some coneflowers over a envelope that was printed with acrylic paints on the gelli plate. So far, so good! I hope these pens are as good as they say, and they just might be the answer to the pen problem. I'll still stick to Faber Castell Pitt pens for drawing and watercolor sketches...I love the Indian ink.

Jet Pens White Pen Review...

I found this on Jet Pens site. Please visit this blog post to get the entire low down on white pens. They did a fantastic review with samples of all the pens on dark paper, and a chart including the dry times and ideal surfaces.

Jet Pens White Ink Review (click for the skinny on white pens!)

Gauche Alchemy hits a home run with the art supplies!

I did a little shopping at Gauche Alchemy. I am so pleased with the service and the products. Look how they were packed too...all rolled up in old sewing patterns and tied with jute. What can I reuse out of this package? Absolutely everything! You have to love a company that puts that much care and thought into it. 

I never had any punchinella. Used bubble wrap to do little circles, but that gives a whole different look. Well, I have some now! This is the 5 dollar variety pack, and there is such a nice variety of sizes and shapes. Can't wait to play with it all this afternoon.

Splurge...

I have not been doing much drawing lately. I've been working on the house, Christmas presents, and displays at the shop, but as soon as Christmas is over I will be playing with these. And I mean the day after...I'm itching to give these a test drive! I use pan watercolors and/or watercolor pencils in most of my sketches, and I've been eyeing this set for a while. Merry Christmas to me!

A Good Mail Day...

I got some twine and washi tape in the mail today from Pretty Tape on Etsy. I've not been buying too many supplies, because journaling can be kept to minimal supplies, but a bit like this can be fun and inspiring! I've not been drawing much lately. I moved and am trying to get everything put away and settled. I may have to try out this tape though......

Pu'uhonua'o o Honaunau

Just celebrating being done with the paperwork at work by doing a little sketching. Scary looking, aren't they?!

Vintage Ephemera Packs

As many of you know, I get to go to a lot of auctions in my role as an antique dealer. I love the old paper stuff and use it in my art journal, but I'm getting buried in great old paper! I made one pack up for a friend, and then I just kept going, so I could put some up at the antique shop. Now, I've decided to resurrect my etsy shop. I'll probably be adding some each day for a while.

These packs contain vintage paper of all kinds. No copies. There are game pieces, clips and advertisements from 1920s and 1930s magazines, vintage book pages, trading stamps, sales tags, playing cards, children's book pages, old bank checks, ledger pages, foreign phone book pages, maps, dictionary pages...you get the idea....lots and lots of great stuff!

Each pack has over 50 items, and I try to make each pack something that I would like to receive...I want you to be excited when you open yours!

So if you want to add to your collection or if you always wanted to try art journaling, but didn't want to get buried in paper (like me), here's your chance :D

If you are local, just stop by Old City Hall Shoppes in Pontiac, IL.

Play Date

My sister, Jennifer, and I spent the day playing around with the paints. I did a couple of canvases...backgrounds for some journal style illustrations.

Then I played around with some paper and paints doing backgrounds for art journal pages. We were just generally having a fine time creating a big mess! Fun!

Jennifer worked in her "Wreck this Journal" and created a zentangle that happens to match the yellow background I was working on (to the right).

I also tried out some spray ink that I think I'm going to like. I sprayed it over some old tractor feed paper and got some cool borders with it. Can't wait to get started on that bottom canvas...that one is stirring up some ideas!

Just doing a little journaling....

and enjoying the autumn morning light.

Long Time, No blog...and more tags

I can't believe I haven't posted in so long. I have been doing some sketching so I'll have to start uploading pictures. I'm still sketching on shipping tags this summer and having a fine time with it. They are so easy to pack along...even in my purse.
My sis gave me this carrier for my birthday. I love it! It holds a lot of stuff and the open construction makes it easy to sit it down and just start working. I don't remember the brand name, but she got it at Michael's. The little drawer at the bottom works great for stamp pads that you want to lie flat. I liked it so much...and she didn't get herself one, so I got her one for her birthday. Right back at ya, Jen!

Making Marks

I've been playing a little with the Copic markers. I found these old sketches (complete with mean notes to myself about my lack of talent!) and decided to mark them up with the new markers. I like the way you can blend them together by going back over them with the lighter color. If you want to see someone who is really good with these visit Janey.

I think it's interesting that I was trying to draw people then too, but I had a lot less patience with myself a few years ago. I would draw, get fed up and not draw again for months.....not a very good way to improve! I'm sure having more fun now!

Holy cow,

I hate to break my once a month blogging streak.........ok, I need to get back to it. I have been lusting after copic markers for a long time and today I decided to bite the bullet and spend the big bucks to get them. I was sooooo happy when I took them to the checkout and found the total was much less that I thought....they are 30% off at Hobby Lobby! I can't wait to try them out and report back to you!

Top Ten Hobby Supplies-List Friday

Here is my list for List Friday at Pomegranates and Paper.

1. Moleskine Sketchbook 6x9
2. Faber Castell PITT Artist pens (esp. super fine)
3. Small pan watercolors
4. Niji waterbrush
5. Cutterbee 12 inch paper cutter
6. Bamboo knitting needles
7. Pages from old books
8. My sewing machine-it's an old pfaff
9. Set of ABC stamps in very plain type
10. Lots of time....this one is the hardest to find!

Art Supplies in My Bag

Members of the everyday matters list have been sharing what supplies they are using. Mine are housed in a ww2 map bag that my dad used while he was in the army in the 1960's.
Moleskine large sketchbook
Grumbacher Transparent Watercolors
Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens, S, F, M
Various leads in leadholders
Lead
Stadler white eraser
Eberhard Faber Drawing Pencils HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B

Lately, I haven't been using the pencils-only ink and watercolor.