Tuesday 12 June 2012

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!

6 comments:

mamapez5 said...

That is one beautiful hydrangea Lynne. Like you I struggle to get supplies, especially of papers, and many companies won't post them to me because of the weight,so I am gradually getting used to printing my own when I can, from CD, or digi downloads. I look forward to seeing your future reports on the pan pastels. I have just given in to all the hype and ordered some online. I thought they might work for me because paints and pens dry out so fast in the summer here. But if you find them messy, then goodness knows what state I will get into with them. (We are melting in the mid-thirties already this year!). I miss going to the shows too. I always went to the two big ones at Birmingham NEC when I lived near there, and you see lots of things that go unnoticed in the shops. I'm glad you had a good time at the Doncaster show. Kate x

kiwimeskreations said...

Lynn this is an amazing card - you have 'done yourself proud' with it. Love that image. I too am isolated from stamp stores so have shopped on line a lot, and downloaded freebies and lot too! I am so looking forward to a stamp show next month :-)
Blessings
Maxine

lisa said...

I'm glad you had a lovely time with Sally and Meg at Doncaster, Lynne. You certainly sound as though you bought some great stash. I've resisted Pan Pastels up to now, there is always something new to tempt isn't there, but they look as though they give beautiful results. Your Hydrangea is absolutely gorgeous. I love Inkylicious stamps, they are far too close to me for my bank balance though!!!
Hope you are keeping well.
Hugs Lisax

Jean said...

What a beautiful Hydrangea, they do always make a lovely picture don't they? It sounds like you had a real good shop at the show on Saturday.Jean x

Sally H said...

Gorgeous card, Lynne! Sorry I didn't comment here earlier. Mr Blogger has been playing me up! Love the colours here. It was a lovely day out with you and I was kidding myself - we did spend roughly the same! Not had much time for a play yet.

craftimamma said...

I was sorry not to be able to get to Sunday's show as I had my little Granddaughter staying for a couple of days. I would love to have visited Deby's stand to see what new stamps she has. Glad you and Sally had a lovely time together with Megan.

The Hydrangea image is lovely and that's a really nice die cut shape too (haven't seen that one before I don't think).

Hugs
Lesley Xx