Blender pen and Stampin' Pastels--what am I doing wrong?

[my4blessings]

I can't seem to use this technique without the cardstock going wonky and looking yucky (is that descriptive enough). I am using SU cardstock and a moist blender pen but it seems that the cardstock gets a bit wet and then starts to "pill", for lack of a better word. I love this effect, what am I doing wrong? I don't seem to have this problem when I watercolor with the pencils....

Renee

[pinkhedgehog]

Are you using SU! Ultrasmooth cardstock? If not, I bet that's your problem.

[DivaMom]

Renee,

One of my customers had this problem and it turned out she was rubbing too hard with the blender pen, and she was using a back and forth motion (like coloring with crayons).

You need to have a light touch and you should move the blender pen in a one-way brushstroke motion. I usually brush forward.

Try that!

Deb

[cathcraft]

yes I agree I think you are rubbing too much in the same area. Try to get more chalk on your pen to start wtih, then just go in one direction across the area. I think pressing too hard or scrubbing too many times in the same area makes it pill. I have had that happen before as well.

[my4blessings]

Is the US that different in consistency that it would be easier to work with? I have some on my list for the next order but I think what I was using this last time was Confetti White. Hmmmm....I will try the other suggestions as well.

Thanks! Renee

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkhedgehog

Are you using SU! Ultrasmooth cardstock? If not, I bet that's your problem.

[DivaMom]

Renee,

I have used the blender pens on both Confetti White and US White. There is no question that the US White is the BEST White CS to use - I have tried them all. But the blender pens should work on either CS. In fact, confetti white is a great CS to use for watercolor, blender pens, etc.

US White and Vanilla are the smoothest, so they may be more resistant to pilling; but try the technique I suggested first; if you still have problems, pm me and I'll try to help you!!

[stampysister]

Think about this. The blender pen, like any marker, tends to raise the nap on paper if you rub too much. Add to this the abrasive quality of the chalk itself. You need to get a lot of chalk on the pen and rub lightly. Although US white is excellent and the best for this (it is a really smooth, really tightly grained paper) you can do this technique successfully on any quality cardstock. Just take one swipe in each area with light pressure.