A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

April 28, 2024

Go7: Elegant Writer Pens and S = Stencils

Hello Stamplings!

Lovely to see you! I like your hair today. Mine looks like it had a fright, but I might not have bothered to brush it. That reminds me of a saying a friend recently saw on a shirt: 

"It's a shock to realize I'm the same age as old people!" 

You might wonder why I'm here on a Sunday when I normally work the Monday shift. It's because my other fun playtime gig with the Group of Seven Cardmakers goes live on the 28th of every month and rather than do back-to-back posts, my Monday I.D.E.A.S. post is down below.🠷 (Grab your chair and your veberage, this is a longer one.)

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This month the Go7 played with Elegant Writers. They are calligraphy pens with magical qualities when the ink gets wet. 
1.

Note: You can buy Elegant Writers in just black or a pack of black, plus four colors. I stamped this image from Purple Onion in Vintage Photo DI and then I used the Elegant Writers to add touches of ink. Then I drew out those touches with water and a paintbrush. I love the soft colors that happen when you then blot the areas with a dry paper towel.

It's a bit hard to describe the magic, so the best thing is for you to click over to the Go7 blog and check out the videos and the stah-unning examples from the other ladies. I've had my pens for years, so I loved finally using them, but if I'm honest, I think the end result is not that different from other forms of watercolor appliances I have, like Ziggies and watercolor pencils.

Here are two more results:
2.

And for Christmas:
3.

The above stamp from the Colorado Craft Company is NBUS and I bought it in an actual brick 'n mortar stamp store on my recent trip to Portland. It was a blast being able to see the products and touch them! I also met two dear friends for the shopping adventure and for lunch afters!
Linda, me, Colleen
I.D.E.A.S. Week Five (S = Stencils)
4.

Because my I.D.E.A.S. stencil make was going to be included in this post, I used my black Elegant Writer pen to outline this floral stencil. You know, killing two rocks with one stick. (You understand I can't use the one about killing birds, so I had to make up my own.) 

After I outlined the stencil with the EW, I used a small paintbrush with water to draw the colors out from the black outlines. It was cool, but not really dramatic, so I whistled for my little helpers.

This turned out to be a good opportunity for Stanley to practice his spritzing alongside Hammy. After they got the panel quite wet, I laid a paper towel over the top, covered it with a large acrylic block and let it sit for several minutes. 
I like how the water and then the towel spread the ink and left small areas of the towel pattern on the card panel. You'll have to take my word for that last bit.

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Enjoy your week! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know if you play with your stencils for this rare fifth week of I.D.E.A.S.! 📌
*Life is too short!
1.  Addicted to Stamps and More (Make Your Mark); SSS Wednesday (A/G).
2.  Alphabet Challenge (B is for Birds); Triple B (Birds).
3.  Christmas Cards All Year Round (Santa); Christmas Kickstart (Santa); Jingle Belles (The Man With the Bag); Rudolph Days April (A/G Christmas).
4.  Just Us Girls (A/G Stencil); Stencil Fun (Spring/Flowers).

44 comments:

Julia Aston said...

Beautiful samples using the colored Elegant Writers sis! I have that fun mushroom stamp and am inspired to get it out and play! Your colorful birds and Santa with his colorful presents are both so pretty! How fun to meet up with crafty friends for crafty shopping! Julia xx

HilaryJane said...

I love this effect and as luck would have it, I got some elegant writers for my birthday. They are waiting patiently to be used. I only have black though. The effect is great. Love all your examples xx

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

Love the three cards with the "Elegant Writers"!
And I do like your stencilled one, it's very interesting!!!

Aquarius said...

How lovely to see you on a Sunday and with such a variety of beautiful elegant writer work.

Carol L said...

I guess I've spent the last decade living under a big rock because I never heard of elegant writers! LOL I love how interesting and fun they seem to be, and you certainly had fun with them making all these pretty and fun cards! That's a great pic of you and your 2 crafting buddies and you all look so happy to be with one another! Keep on creating - everything looks amazing!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Such gorgeous examples with the Elegant Writers, Darnell - just love your delicate watercoloring on the first three! The bold coloring with the wider lines on a stencil looks amazing too!!

Oh and what a lovely photo of you with Linda & Colleen!!

Christine Alexander said...

Gorgeous examples Dolly, I love how you used it with the stencil xx
You must have had so much fun catching up with Linda and Colleen :)

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Hi Darnell, thanks for your lovely comment on my last post.
I don't know why you know that today finally I had the time to dye my grey and white hair, however thank you for appreciate them on the beginning of your post LOL :D
I have never seen the Elegant pen, but it seems fun and cool to use. Love your mushroom, it looks so sweet. Also the cards with birds and the Christmas one are so pretty.
Outlining the stencil with that pen and then spritzing it has been a clever idea, such fun result! The change of colours looks so interesting.
Hugs

Di said...

Oh Darnell. I always LOVE your posts! WHERE did you get your imagination I often wonder. Your card for RD is lovely, as are the others.

Thanks for coming to play with us in April's Rudolph Days Challenge.

Hugs
Di xx

Deanne Saunders said...

Awesome cards!! Thanks so much for participating in our CHRISTMAS CRAFTS ALL YEAR 'ROUND challenge!!! I appreciate that you play along and I enjoy visiting your blog!! Have a happy crafty day!! Deanne at A Little Bit O’ Paper

Bonnie said...

Ooh, I love that mushroom, Dolly! And the little birds are the sweetest and colored so prettily. Santa juggling all those gifts is delightful! What fun to be able to shop in person especially with Linda and Colleen. What a great way to use the Elegant Writer with a stencil! Love the pink and aqua you got to bleed out!

TK said...

What a great technique, I had not heard of these pens until the Go7 posts started appearing. Love the look of the random colors all by a black pen!

Portland? Why didn't you call? Well I've been busy but I would love to run down and meet you next time!

Susan said...

Fabulous cards, Darnell! And what a great idea to use the Elegant Writer with the stencil - I must try that!

Cheryl W. said...

Your cards are wonderful! I especially love the first one with the 'shroom. I love all the different forms of fungi, and recently I've made several cards featuring them. I'll post them on my blog in the coming days.

kiwimeskreations said...

I love the colours you are left with when you dilute the ink from the pens! Your use of the stencil, and then help from Stanley and Hammy, have given you a fabulous background to use!
Do hope those wee helpers washed their paws once they were finished, or you may find some wee art works elsewhere ;)
Blessings
Maxine

Jeanne said...

I liked all the cards you shared today, Darnell. But that first one with the mushroom really stood out to me. The look you achieve with the pens is lovely. Thanks so much for sharing!

R's Rue said...

So beautiful. Hope you’re doing well. Think of you often.

ElizStewart said...

Darnell...I know you have mad coloring skills but I think there might be a bit of magic in those Elegant Writers. I have never used them but the colors you brought out in every one of those wonderful cards is amazing. Thanks so much for joining and sharing at Just Us Girls this week!

Sue said...

These cards are gorgeous Darnell! love the mushroom one and I'll have to check these elegant writers out too hugs Sue x

Brenda in IN said...

I love this mushroom card so mush. Each card is different and the way the ink smooshed out on the last card is very unique and fun.

Vicki Dutcher said...

Fun end result using the stencil and water. Thanks for joining in at JUGS!

Lynette said...

First off, I love your quote! LOL! Wonderful cards. I have never heard of the Elegant Writer - so cool. I especially love the first one. Have a good week.

Leslie Miller said...

A fun collection of cards today, Darnell! I think it's so interesting how the color comes out when you blot with a paper towel. Speaking of paper towel, the one you used for blotting your stencil card looks like it would make a good background on its own! I love the mushroom card the best. But, really, my favorite is the photo of you and the girls. You all look so pretty and happy!

Lisa Elton said...

I'm loving the pretty pinks you achieved with the pen! Your mushroom card is whimsical and sweet!

I Card Everyone said...

You G7 crafters are so with it! I've never heard of these pens but sure love the magic in them and on your fun cards! My favorite has to be the birds - happy sigh.
What a treat to meet Linda and Colleen - I sure wish I could get my witch-y twitch-y nose to work!
=]

Catie Cuddles said...

Some fab ideas there. Thanks for sharing. I remember having some of those pens but no idea where they might be now! Will have to hunt them out!
Thank you for joining us at Addicted to Stamps and More challenge.
Happy crafting!
Catherine x DT

Donna said...

These are so beautiful, I'll be checking these pens out. Cute picture!

Loll said...

Great work with the elegant writer pens, Dolly. All your cards are fabulous!! LOVE that you included outlining a stencil ... hadn't thought about doing that ... so clever and creative. Love, Lolly

SmilynStef said...

Your Christmas card is so stinkin' cute ... so very glad you shared your Santa with us at Jingle Belles.

Robyn Oliver said...

Well I just love your cards using the Elegant Writers, Darnelle... the first three are amazing and I love the soft effect... but I'm not going out to buy any... I'll try to get the some result with the mediums I have.... and, your Stencil card using the EW I fantastic too.. well done your go7 ladies, hugs Robyn

Linby said...

I've had an elegant writer for my art work for a few years unopened! The other day I got it out and worked with it and loved it, now more techniques to follow! All beautiful and inspirational work.

Dotty Jo said...

Hey Darnell, hope all is good with you. I'm here for Santa, but loving everything you've created with those pens! So happy you've joined Helen and me at Christmas Kickstart, Jo x

Em Louise Fairley said...

All the cards are beautiful, Darnell xoxo

Karen said...

I love your cards with the Elegant Writers. In several past creative lives I've tried hard to learn calligraphy, but finally realized it would take so much more practice than I was willing to give. I wonder if any of the Elegant Writers have survived my multiple purges. I'm envious of your trip to a brick and mortar stamp store as well as meeting up with blogging friends. And I certainly relate to your quote at the beginning of this post! Have a great week!

Bobby said...

You 7 have really pulled me in, Darnell. Those magical pens really gave you some terrific cards. Bonnie had a link on her blog so I quickly ordered some for myself. I love the idea of outlining a stencil and will try that one myself. Thanks for sharing it with us at Just Us Girls.

R's Rue said...

Your work is exquisite. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Love it.

Cat Craig said...

I love the dreamy quality of the cards. that is some cool technique. Great idea to use it on a stencil as well.

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Darnel, I just love your wonderful cards, fabulous designs and colours. Really love the first one with the mushroom, Kate x

Darlene said...

Your cards are all just amazing but I LOVE those birdies! What a fun & easy design (I'll remember this lol). Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Triple B challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Co-Owner … Can You Handle the Pressure, Double D, Four Seasons, Peace On Earth, Stencil Fun, Simply Clean & Simple, Two Old Bats, Triple B, Word Power

Sandra H said...

Wow Darnell absolutely stunning cards love the technique used what gorgeous effects too just stunning as always x

Cazro said...

Your little birds are so cute and appealing. Thanks for joining us at Alphabet challenges. Caz. DT.

Pat said...

I love your four creations using the Elegant Writer Darnell, and I was so impressed by the look of all the team's cards that I have bought one to give it a try. I love your sweet toadstool, and really stands out against the bright red paper in the background, and then the sweet birds and love the look of the pink ink blending around the edges, and finally that fun Santa with the stack of parcels so cleverly balanced, and the colours are pretty. I think the black pen gives some pretty tones of blue and pink when wet but the colours are as you say quite similar to other markers, but still you have used them beautifully. The outlined flower shapes using a stencil and with lots of water has really brought out all the blue and pink and love that gold on purple sentiment strip over the top. I do have a card for Week 5 over on my blog. x

Helen said...

Love your Santa and that sentiment too. Your craft shop trip sounds amazing.

Thanks for joining us at the Rudolph Days Challenge.

Helen x

lauren bergold said...

Such a beautifully well-thought-out CAS card, simple perfection! So pleased you could join our celebration of Santa at Jingle Belles!