Monday 20 July 2015

Pens, pens and more pens.

My order of Sakura Gelly Roll Pens, which I was able to obtain from Amazon.co.uk, has arrived today. They look gorgeous and I was really excited to try them. I collected my tiles and other bits and pieces and settled down at my desk. I started to draw, but nothing happened. I tried again, pressing a little harder and still nothing. I scribbled around on spare paper with no result. I tried a different colour pen, nope nothing :-(

Okay, okay, which one of you jokers whispered "Shh, don't tell her there is a tiny cap on the nib. It'll be funny to watch!"

Honestly, how was I supposed to know? The little nib cap inside is transparent and so tiny I only saw it at the very end when I peered at the nib. I was getting upset because I thought I was going to have to send them back and the postage would have been more than the pens are worth. With Amazon.co.uk postage is free from them to Ireland, on orders over 25 pounds sterling. (Yes I know pens don't cost that much, but you have to buy other things as well to make your order up to the free postage amount don't you *wink, wink*). That is why I was able to order them, but postage on returns is not free.

Anyway fortunately I discovered the problem. Those of you not involved in the conspiracy, and yet to try Gelly Roll Pens won't know what I am talking about, so here is a photo of the tiny tiny cap - yes, that white dot in front of the pen - I mean really!


You may remember last week I asked you how pens should be stored. Thank you to those of you who replied. The advice is to store them horizontally and so, in true Blue Peter fashion, I made this horizontal pen rack from a washing machine detergent container. It doesn't have a lid which would be perfect, but it is not intended to be moved around much so it fits the bill. I am a bit OCD and it means I can keep them all in size order and lay my hand straight on the one I want.


OK, on to the Diva's Challenge which is why we are here. The subject is Circus, but to me the Tropicana pattern just looked like one of those weather houses that have a man or a woman pop out according to the weather of the day. I caught sight on The Diva's Blog of the wonderful examples given and unfortunately I found it hard to think how else to use the tangle patterns without copying, so I simplified them instead:-


18 comments:

  1. I love your tile, it looks like Church windows!
    Lee Darter

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  2. You simplified it, and the others oh so nicely! I'm fortunate that you used it!

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  3. Love your creative pen rack!
    Your Diva tile reminds me of beautiful church windows, nice!

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  4. I too see Tropicana as an architectural shape and I love your simplification.

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  5. Very nice tile! And great idea with the detergent container. I think I will also give it a try :)

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  6. I did the same thing with my gelly roll pens! But having used pens with the micro caps before...i figured it out a tad sooner. Enjoy the new pens! I am stocking my amazon cart with goodies, too.

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  7. this is beautiful, it looks like a church

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  8. I did smile! I wasn't laughing at you; really! Mostly because I was there once myself. Ssh, don't tell LOL! Your tile is unique and well done! Enjoy your pens!

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  9. I love how you combined the three tangles. Simply beautiful.

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  10. Your post made me smile. What a clever "up cycling" of an old laundry soap box. Your tile is really cathedrally, isn't it...a merry little chapel in the village square.

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  11. I like your tile, it's beautiful. I have a lot of Sakura pens but there was never a cap on them!? And, I'm very lucky to have a store in my town where they sell these pens.

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  12. Great tile. Love the detergent container for your gelly rolls. And congratulations on finding the protective ball at the end of the gelly roll pen. A big secret revealed!

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  13. Lovley simplified and what a clever storage for your pens!

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  14. Brilliant ideas - both for your pen holder and your Tropicana circus house. Lovely. (I had the same problem when I bought some Gelly Roll pens....I understand exactly where you're coming from!)
    Axxx

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  15. I just love your combo of tangles and how you presented them. Lovely! Thanks for the sunshine on my blog :0) Annette

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  16. It is such a pleasure to see my pattern used. Thank you for this gift at this time in my life. You are a Rock Star!

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  17. Very lovely Church or Circus :) :) Great story ... thank you for sharing!! :) :)

    ~ Diane Clancy
    www.dianeclancy.com/blog/2015/07/my-diva-lee-darter-circus-life-challenge

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