Something Shiny and a Little Advice

Metallic pens.

You need them.

I need them.

They are good and wonderful and make shiny lines.

And if you have them in several widths, you can make shiny lines in several widths.

Be still, my heart. You can even accent the image with the metallic pen, thus increasing the unity of the design.

If you've never drawn lines like this and really really want to do it because it's way too cool, you need to know a few things.

First, DON'T PANIC. And always take your towel.

Second, it's helpful to shake your pen vigorously so the little ball in it rattles a lot, and then test the pen on a scrap of paper before using it on your project. You might need to depress the tip of the pen a few times to get the ink flowing smoothly. DO NOT do this on a scrap of card stock and then flip that scrap of card stock with its pool of ink upside down on your desk. That metallic ink is pretty permanent.

Just sayin'.

Third, use a ruler with a felt pad on the bottom to get good, clean lines. My metal ruler works great. The felt lifts it slightly above the paper so you don't get unsightly bleeding under the ruler. Unsightly bleeding is bad and might result in bad words slipping right out of your mouth and into the air where people can hear them and judge you. I won't judge you, though. Let the crafter who has not cussed throw the first stone.

Fourth, let the line dry completely (doesn't take long) before moving the ruler. It's safer that way.

Fifth, if you have crooked eyes and can't eyeball level lines, use a quilting ruler--they're see-through and have handy grids to make getting level lines a snap--to position your metal ruler. Get the quilting ruler lined up nicely, butt that metal ruler right up against the quilting ruler, then move the quilting ruler and draw your lines.

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Please don't shoot me for typing that. Just extend mercy and grace, please. I couldn't help myself.

Oh, look! Another shiny line! It's bronze!

I only have one bronze pen that's sort of thin. You can bet your sweet patootie I'll be getting a thicker one soon because as cool as a single line is (and it's pretty cool), the double lines of varying width are even cooler. And the brown rhinestones blend perfectly with the bronze ink.

If you don't have metallic pens, run right out and buy yourself some. In multiple widths and colors. And pick up a metal ruler with a felt pad and a 6"-square quilting ruler while you're at it.

You need them.

Trust me.


Supplies
stamps: SU Pocket Silhouettes, Clean and Simple Stamps Thank You limited edition set
ink: no idea. can't remember.
paper: Papertrey Ink white
accessories: rhinestones, silver and bronze metallic pens