How to Refill an Acrylic Paint Pen

Hi friends! I have really been enjoying my Posca fine tip paint pens and the other day I used up the white! I was about to reorder them but I decided that first I would try to refill them myself and it worked great! I also discovered that you can refill other brands as well. Learn how in today’s video!

I had a few viewers say that they were able to unscrew the bottom of the Posca pen if you unscrewed it in the opposite direction but mine would not budge. I think it might be the bullet tip versions that unscrew but since you know both ways to refill you will be fine no matter what kind of acrylic paint pen you have. 🙂

Supplies (Amazon affiliate links used)

• Posca Extra fine tip paint pens (Firm fine plastic nib) *I was going to reorder a multi pack of whites before I learned discovered this trick.
• Ohuhu Acrylic bullet tip paint pens.  *Most paint pens will be a soft or hard tip and you will either be able to pull out the nib or unscrew the barrel to refill them to use the method from the video that works for your pen.
• White acrylic craft paint *I use Chromacryl Blockout white because it is so opaque but any white acrylic paint or gesso is fine.
• Pipette
• Spray bottle of water (or use a pipette to add small amounts of water at a time)

Directions:

1.  Mix acrylic paint with water until you have a paint the consistency of heavy cream. You could probably also use a fluid acrylic paint like Golden Flow paint without any additional water but I wanted to use the stuff I had.
2. Open the pen. First try to unscrew the barrel from the top but if that doesn’t work you can pull out the nib with your fingers.
3. Use a pipette to fill the pen either though the nib opening (like Posca) or directly in the barrel (like Ohuhu.)
4. Replace the nib (or screw the pen back together, cap it and shake to make sure the paint is well mixed and test it. You may need to depress the nib (pump the pen) to start the ink flowing especially if your pen has been dry for a while.

Tip, don’t let the pen dry out, refill it as soon as you use it up to prevent paint drying in the nib and clogging. Pat yourself on the back because you just kept some junk out of the landfill and more cash in your pocket. Happy crafting!

Sketchbook Sunday: When at first you don’t succeed keep adding more media!

Hi friends! Today’s sketch was an exercise in frustration at times but once you have a hot mess on your hands it can only get better, right? You wouldn’t believe how bad it got before I ended up with this result I was happy with.

Honestly, I kinda like it when a painting hits rock bottom because there is no place to go but up and the pressure is off. As Janice Joplin one said “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose…” Watch today’s video where I demonstrate working through the disaster in my sketchbook and prove that there is no need to worry because it’s only a piece of paper!

Supplies (Affiliate links used)

• Jane Davenport Mermaid Markers (Ink filled brush pens)  *$16.43 on Amazon now- Regular $40
• Posca Acrylic Extra Fine Tip Paint pens
• Colored pencils (Prismacolor)
• Gouache (Arteza)
• Fabriano Venice Book

Hey! Want to own a piece of my original artwork? View the current connection here available through the end of the month! I feel like such a dingbat not to mention it until the month is nearly over. Well, if today’s video proves anything it’s that nobody’s perfect and that’s just fine. 🙂 I hope you enjoyed today’s Sketchbook Sunday, artist pep talk and cautionary tale and I hope it helps take away any pressure you might feel to make something perfect when you work in your sketchbook. Remember it’s only a piece of paper and you deserve to use it. Till next time happy crafting!

 

A card inspired by macrame?

Hi friends! I love retro crafts and one that I love seeing in macrame. Now, I have never done any serious macrame (but I did make a couple of groovy plant hangers a few years ago and they are still in use today!) but I am going to use it as inspiration for today’s card.

I love how we can get different effects from ink and paper. Today I’ll show you how to get a glazed ceramic look from alcohol ink and glossy cardstock too! Watch the video to see how.

Sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry!
Get your instant 20% off coupon code and become a Peg Stamp VIP here. Your 20% off coupon code will be immediately emailed to you plus you’ll get the deepest discounts available, free shipping coupons, and sale notifications and you will find out first when we release new products.
The VIP email is sent once a week and always includes a wonderful deal and fabulous peg stamping tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers.

Supplies:

• Succulents Unmounted Stamp Set
• Ranger Archival stamping ink
• Alcohol inks
• Alcohol ink applicator (or a block and craft felt)
• Gold Alcohol ink mixative
• Glossy Cardstock
• Fine tip acrylic paint pens (posca)
• Bullet tip paint pens (ohuhu)
• Jute Twine
• White and coral cardstock
• Beads is desired
• Hot glue
• Acrylic paint
• Watercolors
• Watercolor brushes

This card features many techniques so even if you have no desire to create a card like this you can use the know-how to craft something cool for your next card! Thanks for spending some of your day with me and til next time happy crafting!

LIVE today at 12:30pm ET: Painting Hyacinth Flowers in a Mason Jar

Edited to add update on painting. I felt that the watercolor only version of the painting left something to be desired so I added Mermaid Markers (ink) acrylic paint pens, and watercolor crayons to finish off this piece and I am much happier with it.

Hi friends! We are back with a live show today! I missed you last Friday but I am glad I took some time off to recharge my creative batteries! Here is my color study for today’s tutorial:

You can watch the live broadcast or reply in the player below but if you want to chat with us live be sure to tune in at 12:30 on the YouTube watch page.

Supplies available at sponsor Jerry’s Artarama! Use coupon code: frugal20FS49 for 20% off $49 + Free Shipping (Excludes: Sale, Super Sale, Egift Cards, Buy It Try It’s and Vendor restricted items. Look for the green coupon eligible icon on the product listing. *BTW Jerry’s 50th anniversary ends tonight, check out all of the awesome deals on art supplies up to 70% off!

Supplies:

• LUKAS 1862 Watercolors (Sap green, Pthalo green, Quin rose, Diox. violet, Cobalt teal, yellow ochre, burnt umber, Ultramarine blue) from the 48 half pan set
• Brushes (A variety or rounds and a 1/2″ flat or angle) Creative Mark Mimik synthetic squirrel, Princeton Neptune (synthetic squirrel) or Menta by Royal & Langnickel.
• Arches 9″x12″ 140# CP watercolor block
• Salt, paper towels, water buckets
• Traceable pattern
• Reference photo

I hope to see you soon on YouTube! Happy crafting!

Easy Gel Printing with Texture Plates!

Hi friends! Today I am going to share a project using a new to me supply that I think you might enjoy if you have wanted to dabble into gelatin printmaking but wanted to avoid the mess and the additional supplies that can go along with it.

I will be using new texture plated by Carabelle Studios. These are essentially large unmounted rubber stamps that have all of the artwork already collaged and distressed so all you have to do is ink up your plate, press the texture plate to that and pull a print. Watch the video to see how!

This tutorial is sponsored by Top Flight Stamps!  SAVE 10% off your next order with coupon code: thefrugalcrafter10 *USA orders of $50+ ship free!

Supplies:

• Carabelle Studio Texture Plates: Patchwork, A Moment, Write Your Story, Abstract Flowers
• Stamp Sets for stamping on the cards: Heart and Bird and Eclectica
• Gel Press Printing Plates
• Washi Tape *I used tape from my stash
• Sequins
• Brayer
• Dye ink (I used Kalidacolor rainbow ink pads) in colors Blue Breeze and Autumn Leaves 

*Note I used a 5″x7″ plate as well and it can be found on Amazon with the printmaking cards and envelopes I used in a bundle. The price can fluctuate on Amazon depending on who is selling it though, I think I paid around $40. *Affiliate link used

Remember when using the texture plates that any text or numbers will appear correctly when stamped on the gel plate and then a print pulled from that. If you want to use these as rubber stamps the text will be reversed. You can use regular background rubber stamps for this technique, just avoid ones with text. It is a fun way to get some use from supplies you already have too! I have also pressed embossed cardstock on a paint inked plate for a similar effect. I hope this tutorial inspires you to try printmaking. Happy crafting!

DIY Inktense Palette & My First Facebook Live with Demo and Q&A

Hi friends! I tried out Facebook live yesterday and did a live demo of a watering can with flowers in a loose style. I painted it with Inktense blocks but you can use watercolors.

I know not everyone is on Facebook (especially These days!) but it is much easier for me to see your questions during a live stream so I might pop in once a month and do a live Q&A kinda like the old “Ask a Crafter” videos I used to do so if you are interested in that be sure to like and follow by Frugal Crafter Community Facebook page. To make sure you don’t miss a live event click like, then follow and click see first. I plan on posting the replay on my blog here but if you want to interact live you will need to follow on Facebook.

Here is the video from yesterday:

Here is a video showing how I made the palette:

I had a full set of inktense blocks and pencils as well as a small set of 12 that a sweet viewer had sent me years ago when I was unsure if I wanted to get the full set. I like them enough to buy the set of 72 but having doubles I felt silly investing in another duplicate product just because it was a different format. Plus I couldn’t even find the Inktense pan set to purchase. Honestly I use the pencils more than the blocks anyway so I figured I could sacrifice some of the blocks to go in the palette and as an extra bonus all of my loose blocks fit in my large Inkense block tin so less storage space!

So you are probably wondering how these differ from watercolors? Well, to be honest I prefer watercolors. I find Inktense to be vibrant but yet it’s chalky and I find this chalky quality more in the block than in the pencil although they are purportedly the same thing. The big attribute to inktense is that after you paint with it on paper (and it dries completely) it bonds permanently with the paper so you can layer over it without if reactivating. That’s a boon to mixed media artists who want to keep working on a project without disturbing the layers underneath. You can use watercolor over inktense as it won’t repel the media because it dries matte. My top recommendation for the inktense line will always be the pencils but knowing how you like to use media can help you choose the right thing for you. I hope you enjoyed this craft hack and live rebroadcast. If you would like to catch my next live endeavor I will be doing a guest live stream on the LAVA soap facebook page at 2pm ET today where I will show you how to make your own Acrylic pouring medium and we will do an acrylic pour. The stream will last about 15 minutes. I’m a bit nervous so wish me luck! Have a great day and til next time happy crafting!

Sketchbook Sunday: Chickadee!

Hi friends! Today in the sketchbook I decided to sketch a bird that has been plentiful around my bird feeders: the chickadee!

I used a reference from the Artist Photo Reference: Songbirds book. I picked up a bunch of the Artist Photo Reference books used on Amazon back in December and they have been the best investment. I highly recommend them if you can grab them at a good price.  Here is a time-lapse video of today’s sketch!

Supplies (*affiliate links used)

• Black refillable brush pen (Ohuhu)
• Fountain pen safe india ink
• Watercolors (Mission Gold Pure Pigment: Ultramarine, Van Dyke brown, Yellow Ochre, Sap Green (mix) )
• Colored pencils (Prismacolor)
• Sketchbook (Fabriano Venice book)

If you would like more detailed, step-by-step real-time instruction in painting birds please consider checking out my class Texture Toolbox Feathers and Fowl. Save 20% with coupon code TRYME if the discount doesn’t automatically appear. Birds are one of my favorite subjects to paint and I want to share the skills with anyone else who would like to learn:)

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you find a few minutes to sketch in your sketchbook today! It is sunny and warm here today so it would be a great time to sketch outside! Let me know what you are working on in the comments below and til next time happy crafting!

Easy Masked New Baby Card!

Hi friends! Today we are going to make this sweet new baby card but you can change the sentiment to suit your needs.

Watch the video to see the card come together.

Sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry!
Get your instant 20% off coupon code and become a Peg Stamp VIP here. Your 20% off coupon code will be immediately emailed to you plus you’ll get the deepest discounts available, free shipping coupons, and sale notifications and you will find out first when we release new products.
The VIP email is sent once a week and always includes a wonderful deal and fabulous peg stamping tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers.

Supplies:

• Budding Spring unmounted stamps set
• Banner peg stamp (from Party Time)
• Grass peg stamp (from muscari-and-hyacinth-border)
• Leaves peg stamp (from Watercolor Garden)
• Sentiment unmounted stamp
• Tiny alpha stamps
• Distress oxide inks
• Kraft and white cardstock
• One sheet of patterned 12″x12″ scrapbook paper for envelope and matting card

Measurements:
Card size 4 1/4″x5 1/2″ (A2)
Matting layer 4″x5 1/4″
Stamped panel 3 1/4″x4 1/2″

I hope you can use some of the ideas in this video in your next card! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

1 Year Konmari Update & My Personal Rules!

Hi Friends! Last year I decluttered my home (and most notably my over stuffed art studio/craft room) using the book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo as a guide. I ended up with a tidy home but there were other unexpected benefits to and that is what I am going to talk about today.

What I appreciate the most about going through this process was the mental clarity, reduction of anxiety and increased self-confidence it gave me. I now have more time because I have less stuff to manage. I have more creativity because the supplies I kept fueled my creativity where as before the excess dampened it. I learned to let go of “fantasy Lindsay” and just be me. I got to admit that just because I wished I liked something didn’t mean I had to like it and just because someone else likes something it doesn’t mean I will. The fact that we are all different is what makes life fun!

The decluttering of my stuff (and my schedule) helped me clarify personal rules which guide how I live my daily life. There is nothing profound here but often it is the small things you do everyday (and not the big things you do once in a while) that have the most impact on your life. As they say how you do anything is how you do everything.
Lindsay’s Rules:
1. Wear shoes (this rule comes from my dad who would often tell his lazy child to “get your feet dressed!” LOL I never feel ready for the day without proper shoes on. The FlyLady echos this rule)

2. Put first things first (This is credited to Stephen Covey from his book the 7 habits of highly effective people. You need to set your priority and focus on it before you get bogged down or distracted by non important tasks)

3. If it’s not a “heck yes!” it’s a no. (I have said yes to projects out of obligation or fear that I would miss out on opportunities if I declined anything but now I say “no” unless I am super excited about another person’s project.)

4. Don’t leave a room empty-handed. (Whenever I leave a room or an area I scan the room to see if anything there belongs where I am going…there is always something LOL!)

5. If it takes less than 5 minutes do it now. (Reply to that email, write that check, mail a birthday card, return a quick phone call. If it needs to be done and takes less than 5 minutes I just do it. This is for actually important things, not for checking Pinterest real quick:)

6. Begin with the end in mind. (Another Stephen Covey gem, before beginning any project visualise the outcome to stay focused and also to determine if the juice is worth the squeeze.)

7. Do something creative each day. (Nuff said.)

8.Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. (Lack of sleep will leave anyone irritable, sad and not at their best plus people who get more sleep live longer.)

9. Sharpen the saw. (S. Covey again here:) Spend some time each week challenging yourself to improve a skill)

1o. Be Lindsay. (This advice come from Gretchen Rubin. Don’t compare yourself to others, you don’t have to like what other people do, you don’t have to do what other people do and you don’t have to want what other people want.)

Here are the books I referenced in the video. I really found value in them and they are popular enough you can probably check them out from your library. In case you want to purchase them I have included amazon affiliate links.

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey
• The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
• The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
• 8 weeks to Optimum Health by Andrew Weil

Thanks for spending some time with me today and til next time happy crafting!

Sketchbook Sunday Fruity Mason Jar Drink in Gouache

Hi friends!  It’s sketchbook Sunday, a time to draw or paint just for the fun of it in your sketchbook!

Today I am painting a fruity drink in gouache.

Need drawing help? Check out my class Learn to Draw with Lindsay! *Save 20% with coupon code TRYME

Supplies:

• Arteza Gouache Colors used: Lemon yellow, Rose, Crimson, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine, White
• Zen All Media Paintbrushes
• Fabriano Venice book Sketchbook
• Ceramic Palette
• Mechanical pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Reference photo
• The box I keep my gouache paints in is from Harbor Freight, see my palette set up here.

What are you working on today? Let me know in the comments below and til next time happy crafting!