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:-