Time to get out those pens and pencils .....

Happy Friday folks!

It the first Friday of the month ......... and you know what that means ..... a brand new challenge on the Craft Stamper Blog.
It's the turn of  Take a Technique this month, and we'd like you to use ....

Pens or Pencils 

You can sketch or draw your design.  Use pens or pencils for colouring ..... or even colour your stamps with pens instead of regular ink pads.  It could be Spectrum Noirs, watercolour pencils, Inktense.   Distress Markers, Copics, Pro markers, whatever you choose.

You could add detail with fine liners, use gel pens or the glittery Wink of Stella.  Just remember there must be REAL stamping on your project too!

As always we have a sponsor ..... this month its the fabulous Chocolate Baroque

and the prize is ...... the Artistic Affirmations stamp plate .... lots of fabulous words and sayings, a really useful set to have in your collection.

And .... don't forget there's also the Craft Stamper Design Winner, chosen by the DT.  Full details can be found over on the Craft Stamper Blog

OK ..... now for a bit of inspiration to hopefully get you started .....

I've used Spectrum Noir pencils to add colour to one of my favourite stamps of the moment ..... Demure from Penny Black.

I stamped the image onto a piece of white card using black Versafine ink, and then coloured the flowers with my pencils ......

I used a couple of shades of blue to begin with, starting with the lightest shade first, all over then gradually going darker from the bottom of the bloom up.  I added in a little turquoise, and finished off with a couple of shades of purple ......

I added a few white highlights using a gel pen, and coloured in some of the dots with a Stardust Gel pen to add a tiny touch of sparkle

Once I was happy with the flowers I added some colour to the background using co-ordinating Distress Inks ........ Tumbled Glass and Dusty Concord.  I brushed the ink around the edges taking it in and around the flowers but leaving the centre of the card pale.

I finished off with a few black ink spats here and there and added a little twine bow to the stems

And ..... it wouldn't be me if there wasn't a little something on the inside too .....

Same stamp, same colours and a little bit of masking to give it a little more interest

Now it's your turn ..... will you choose pencils or pens?  Draw or colour ..... the choice is all yours but ...... don't forget to include some stamping on there too!
If you're still looking for ideas check out the Craft  Stamper Blog for more fabulous inspiration from the rest of the Design Team.
You've got until August 26th to get your entries in ..... have fun!

It's been a busy week again ..... lots going on in the old craft room ...... and outside of it!!  I went to a craft workshop earlier in the week (I'll share the results over the weekend) and I'm off out again today.
A friend and I are popping over to the Manx Royal Agricultural Show .... fingers crossed the weather stays fine!  We're meeting some more friends over there so it should be a good day.
I believe that the Barclays Premier League Trophy will be there on display today ..... on the Barclays stand

It's not that long ago that it was in the hands of my boys in blue .... and Jose of course.  It might be worth a photo if I can get near!

Thanks for popping by ..... and a BIG Hello and Welcome to my latest followers, it's always nice to see our numbers growing.  Thank you for spending time here, I do appreciate it.
Enjoy the rest of your day and have a fabulous weekend, whatever the weather!

Cheerio until next time

Linda 

xx