Back to Basics

I have a confession to make regarding a standard writing instrument I can't live without. I use it all the time. The one I own has lasted me twelve plus months and it never skips a beat. It's the first thing I grab if I think a project need a little extra something. It's the most basic scrapbook supply item I own; Uni-Ball Signo Gold Gel Pen.

Using a gold gel pen has become a everyday routine for me when scrapbooking. Over the past year or so, I've collaborated a number of techniques for using this simple tool. If you look at some of my past layouts, you'll notice hints of "gold" here and there. Gold sits nicely alongside other colors. It's especially at home with rich, vivid hues. I love using these kinds of colors when scrapbooking. Gold's subtlety makes it a perfect option for me when creating layouts. I typically use my gold gel pen in combination with my 05 Black Zig Writer. Black has a way of enlivening gold when the two sit next to each other on a layout. They're an ideal pair. Often, when I'm using my gold gel pen, I'll also use my Zig Writer. I keep both of them on hand at all times when working on projects.

Last night, I took a number of photographs demonstrating how I use my gold gel pen when working on projects. I'm sharing them here today. I've included a brief description for each photo. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Why not journal with "gold" ink instead of "black" ink? This is an option when journaling on dark color cardstock. You don't technically have to write an entire paragraph either. Maybe all you need is a single line of something. Using a gold gel pen may be a fun alternative when journaling on a layout. 

Borders. This is by far the most common way in which I use a gold gel pen on a layout. I create an outline for my border using my Zig Writer and fill it in using my gold gel pen. You don't need a ruler either. Mistakes are easily covered when using a gold gel pen. 

Combine black rub-ons with gold using a gold gel pen. Some of my favorite black rub-ons include borders, flowers, swirls, and other design elements with strong, defined outlines.

When using transparent glitter on top of gold, the glitter takes on a "gold hue". In the photo above, I added Doodlebug's lime green glitter to the rub-on. It's difficult to see in this photo, but the glitter has a "gold sheen" to it. I think this technique is a great way to use transparent glitter that doesn't always have a noticeable hue.

This is a great technique for bringing character to an otherwise plain looking label. Decorate them using a gold gel pen. For added effect, include using a black marker, especially for creating borders around labels. If the label is made of a coated paper (non-porous), note that all gel pens draw on coated paper and dry without issue. Though, if black ink is desired, you will need to use a Slick Writer for drawing on coated paper.

Outline Epoxy stickers or doodle fun elements around them for added effect. I'll often outline small doodles on my layouts and fill them in using my gold gel pen.

Stamp out an image and add a little gold to make it feel less like a "stamped image". I do this with stamped frames a lot.

Make rhinestones and buttons "pop" by outlining them in gold. Maybe add a few dots or other misc. details to further emphasize their appearance on a layout.

One last idea, Dress up plain chipboard with acrylic paint. Add outline to painted areas using a gold gel pen. It completely changes the appearance of chipboard. If paint is too much work for you, try Souffle Gel Pens. They dry opaque in color and work well on porous and non-porous surfaces. 

*I would love to hear how you use gel pens. If you have any ideas you'd like to mention, please do so in the comments section of this post. Thanks for sharing!

Comments

[Tina Schadone]

Great tips! thanks so much for taking the time to share tem and take such detailed photos. Very helpful!!!!

[Carol S-U]

Wonderful tips & pics! What great techniques for adding more depth! I have used my gel pens to fill in detail on stamped images in conjunction with watercolor pencils - it's a fun combo of crisp & soft. Thanks for your great blog!!

[Margaret]

You should try the white gel pen if you haven't already. I've tried at least 6 white pens and the Signo one is the best!

[Tara]

I don't think I even own a gold pen ... gasp! Every time I read your blog I see some other fun tool I "need"!

[Anita]

Wow, Christine, I wonder why I never thought of using a gold gel pen before? That's why you get paid the big bucks!!!! Thanks for sharing that awesome tip!

http://stampinwithanita.com/

[Mariangeles_spain]

Great tips! Thanks :-)

[Shaun Paddock]

I love the look of the gold pen. I have been stuck on the silver gel pen that is made by Sakura. It is actually a glitter pen and I use it all the time. On the rub-on where you used the gold pen then the glitter, what did you use to adhere the glitter?
Thanks for the tips, always so much fun and your blog is the highlight of my day!
Shaun

[anna]

these are my favourite kind of posts of yours, christine - makes me think that one day i'll get my stuff to look more like yours! (ha ha ha...) i've been reading your blog for ages now, and i don't think i've commented yet, but i've left you a present on my blog (i'm not expecting you to keep the tag going, but i want you to know how much i love your blog!)

thanks for all the inspiration!
~anna

[angie]

wow - you can really change the look with just a little bit of gold! thanks for the tips:)

[Donna]

Hi Christine, Thanks so much for the great ideas. A few months back you mentioned doing some tutorials and I love the one you did with circles. I think your life has been very busy since then but I'm so glad to see this post from you. I use gel pens & shimmer pens a lot to add more detail to stickers,rub ons, stamped images (especially floral ones)and they also work great to outline and/or add more details to titles whether they are stickers, stamped or chipboard. Thanks for sharing your creative tips.

[Kim K]

There you go again...taking something I think is ordinary...and showing me absolutely FABULOUS things to do with it. I'm still loving what you did with the circle punches months ago...and NOW it's the gold pen! I LOVE what you did to make the stamped image not look like a stamped image! That's my pet peeve about stamps...and why I own many but never use them! And filling in the rub-ons. Simple. Why didn't I think of that?
Thanks so much for sharing your talents.

[narda]

Christine you are so Amazing! LOVE the gold pen accents around other simple embellies!! TFS you definitely inspire me.

[narda]

Christine you are so Amazing! LOVE the gold pen accents around other simple embellies!! TFS you definitely inspire me.

[amy christine]

these are really great ideas. i'm not much of a gold person, but i love the way you subtly incorporate gold into your details. i might have to try some of your techniques with a silver gel pen. thanks for the inspiration. :]

by the way... is that a black craft mat that you have? i've been searching for a black one for quite a while now. i would love to know the brand of yours. thanks!

[Aida Haron]

Thank you for sharing !! I love ALL Signo pens, in fact love all my pens *LOL* Mostly I use them for borders or to customise sanded down chipboard alphas.

Aida

[Fiorella]

Great tips! Thank you very much for sharing.

[sophie]

So exciting to have someone blog about this pen. I love it to bits as well! Adore the zig pens too, esp 0.3 and 0.5. In fact, the white gel pen is one great love of mine for journalling. I usually use it my layouts and if you have the time, you can see them on my blog=) Here's to a kindred spirit who enjoys the same pen!

[Shelby]

great tips. Thanks so much. Dont use many pens, but will start using now.

[Julie]

The last gold pen I owned was when I graduated.That was what everyone used to sign their grad photos.I will be getting one now that I see all of its uses. I always thought that your rub-ons came all colored in.

I love my white gel pen and often use it to make dots and swirls on chipboard,but you have definitely given me more ideas.Thanks:)

[Megan A]

thank you for sharing! I am always so afraid to doodle but I love the techniques you shared. I will have to give some of them a try!

[Samuso]

Thanks for the tips! I love the gold pen idea, I usually use white of the same brand...but I'm going to branch out -- thanks!

Sara

[Christie Wildes]

Ok missy!! You can't post a wonderful technique post like this and not enable us. Where might we find these wonderful gold pens??

Love it!! Thanks for all of the ideas. :)

[Kelly]

New tips and techniques- I love it! I use gold and silver pens to journal and in calligraphy when I address envelopes. Just never doodled on a layout before. I like that you take a stamp, sticker or embellishment and make it your own. Whether it's cutting it up, doodling on or around it, or combining products- it's always a great inspiring look!

I do have GOOD NEWS for all you faithful blog readers:
The Amy Butler butterflies that Christine so graciously gave away awhile back are BRAND NEW! I had emailed k and co. about a set of stickers that were cut wrong and also asked about locating a 12x12 sheet of beautiful butterflies.
The rep- Jessica Martin- told me that they are going to be in stores soon. They moved their entire warehouse from Kansas City to Chicago in September. Some might have shipped early, but otherwise, they are not even available yet!
I'm thrilled - and also have to say that k and co. has wonderful customer service. I never called or emailed a co. about a problem before. However, they responded quickly and are sending me a new set of stickers!

[Lauren]

Thanks for the great tips! I don't really have any to share, other then using it to create large lines around a page like lea lawson does.

Can't wait to bust out my gel pens this weekend!

[kimberly]

I too love drawing on my scrapbook pages.