I have been playing

Yes, yes, I know, not much blogging happening in Jane's Box of Colours of late............well, I've been enjoying the sunshine in Orlando and more recently playing with some new toys, but now I am back and ready to share some creative stuff!!!

Firstly, I am the proud owner of a Misti............anyone got one?  Oh boy, I am so glad I splurged on this sweetie - I am a lousy stamper - I goof up so many times and this little beauty allowed me to stamp a perfectly placed sentiment on a pre-coloured image without a hitch! (Can't tell you how many times I've had to fussy cut something because I've messed up stamping the sentiment!)

Secondly, yes, I must have had my head in a bucket (well with this face it's advisable) but along with the Misti I bought an Onyx Black Versafine ink pad - holey moley, what a difference, the images come out so crisp and clean!  (Happy Dance Time!) Why oh why have I not used this before!!!

Anyway, I will be sharing more of my toys, mishaps and creations over the next few months.......

Which leads me on to todays post.............

I have been playing with Derwent Inktense pencils, primarily due to some of the amazing creations Sandy Allnock has been sharing on her Youtube channel - I suspect it could get quite expensive if I keep watching Sandy!!!

For those not too familiar with these, they are similar to ordinary water-soluble coloured pencils except the pigment is ink based.  This means the colours really pack a punch when mixed with water, so much more vibrant than normal watercolours.

Meet Fritz, a fun loving pig who's got a little "messy"  as did I trying to get to grips with my newly purchased pencils!!!

I wouldn't call this a labour of love, as in all honesty it was as frustrating as my orthodontic braces are uncomfortable and a new technique/product I am going to have to work hard at to master.  

Firstly, I just could not get to grips with the Canson XL paper I chose to begin with, so I went back to my favourite, albeit expensive Arches Aquarelle. Then came the challenge to paint a pink pig.....there is not an actual pink in the colour range so you have to mix/blend and, well, Fritz came out flushed, dirty or just plain wrong!

Here are just some of the bloopers.....

In the end to save my sanity and the amount of Arches Aquarelle I was wasting I dug out my tin of Supracolor Soft pencils, which does have pink tones so I could paint Fritz a more appropriate shade!

SUPPLIES:

Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs - Fritz

Paper: Arches Aquarelle HP Watercolour paper, Craft Creations card

Colouring Medium: Derwent Inktense and Caran D'Ache Supracolor Soft water-soluble pencils

Tools: Versafine Onyx Black ink pad, Woodware Fingerguard Trimmer

Size of Card - USA A2 (10.8 x 13.97 cm)

So from Fritz and I, thanks for dropping by and see you again soon for more crafting hints, tips, bloopers and cards!!!