Try different pens.
We like gel pens: They
come in myriad colors,
including white and
opaque pale shades that
show up on colored pa-
pers. For the best results,
use uncoated papers.
A Spirograph set
comes with putty to se-
cure the ring to the paper.
Use three or four dots of
it, spaced evenly around
the ring—just enough
to keep the ring secure
without raising it too far
off the paper.
Hold the pen at a
90-degree angle to
the device, and move it
with continuous motion.
Don’t press down too
hard. If your ink is smear-
ing, try turning the
wheel upside down and
starting again.
DRAWING
TIPS STATIONERYIN THE CARDS
A few swoops and
swirls are all it takes to
turn plain paper into
a personalized set. You
can vary the designs:
Position a Spirograph
pattern in a specific
spot, such as centered
on a card or envelope
flap. Or draw designs
in a more free-form
arrangement on a piece
of paper and then trim
it into a card, as shown
here with the bottom
pair, so that the embel-
lishments come right
off the edge.
Gelly Roll pens, in Fluo-
rescent Vermilion, Green,
and White, sakuraof
america.shptron.com.80