Dandelions

I've been having another play with the Pan Pastels, and I think they're growing on me. I still think they're messy (I seem always to end up with chalky dust over everywhere, but maybe that's just me!) but the end result probably justifies the means.

I made two cards to compare. I did one background with the new Spring Distress Inks applied with ink dusters, and the other with the Pan Pastels. The pastels do give a lovely soft effect, while the DIs are more vibrant, but I like them both! The PPs I bought at the show are mostly pale shades. I think I might have to get some more intense ones....

Anyway, here are the cards (DI background first, all stamps by Inkylicious). See what you think.

A spot of retail therapy!

Much as I love the area in which we now live, I have to say it is somewhat lacking in good sources of papercrafting supplies. Of course, nowadays it's possible to get just about anything by mail order via the 'net, but it isn't the same as being able to see the goods before buying. Sometimes one just doesn't know what one really needs until one sees it!

So you can imagine how much I had been looking forward to going to the Stamp Magic Show in Doncaster at the weekend. I travelled down to Notts on Saturday to stay overnight at Sally's, and then on Sunday she, Megan and I went to the show. It didn't disappoint!

At the top of my shopping list were some Pan Pastels and the new Inkylicious Hydrangea set, which is stunning. They were soon in my basket, along with a few more Inkylicious stamps, some IndigoBlu Mega Flakes for foiling, and a couple of Sweet Poppy stencils with some stencil paste, which I haven't tried before.

I came home on Sunday evening but didn't get a chance to play until this evening. I thought I'd try out the Pan Pastels and the Inkylicious Hydrangea. This was the result.

I coloured the background of the hydrangea panel and the sentiment with the PPs, then stamped the hydrangea and coloured it with watercolour pencils. The hydrangea is gorgeous, and huge! I've mounted it on an 8" x 8" card. The leaves are separate from the main image, so that you can arrange them as you please on the stem, which can be bent to suit. The script and the tiny butterfly are also by Inkylicious. The sentiment is part of the hydrangea set, which I can see becoming well used!

I'm reserving judgement on the Pan Pastels until I've tried them a bit more. They've been much hyped. A lot of people seem to think they're the best thing since, oh, Distress Markers. let's say, but I'm not convinced yet. I found them a bit messy. Think I prefer the effect I can get with Ink Dusters. Anyway, got more new stuff still to play with, so watch this space!