Chameleon Color Tone and Color Tops review

The lovely people from Tiger Pens contacted me recently to ask if I would like to try out some Chameleon Color Tone pens for them and, of course, I said yes!  I had seen a few videos of people using these pens before and their main feature is that you can gets lots of shades from each colour pen and you can also use them to blend two different colours together which is fantastic for colouring books and all kinds of arts and crafts!

Tiger Pens sent me a pack of Pastel Color Tone Pens, two sets of Color Tops in Cool and Floral tones and a blender pen to test.

Chameleon products and my notebook

The Color Tone pens have two ends, one is a bullet nib and the other a soft Japanese brush.  They also have a mixing chamber to dilute the ink which creates the gradations of colour.  The longer you leave the nib in the mixing chamber the lighter the shade will be when you start to use the pen.  This gives you just a hint of colour and then all the shades in between until you are back to using the full strength ink.  

When I first received the pens and tops I was worried they were going to be complicated to use, mixing chambers made me think of Harry Potter and magic spells but after reading the instructions I realised it is a pretty simple process.  You choose which nib you want to use and then remove the mixing chamber from the end of the pen and take out the barrier.  Then you hold the pen upright with the nib you want to use pointing upwards and place the mixing chamber on top of it like a pen lid.  You keep holding the pen vertically for between 5 and 35 seconds (while the magic happens) and then you remove the chamber, put the barrier back in and then use the pen as normal.

Lots of different shades and blends

The first row in my notebook is the five Color Tone Pens used on their own in the mixing chamber so you can see all the different shades you can get out of them.  The next two rows are the pens used with the Color Tops to create a blend of two colours together.  Instead of placing your pen in it's mixing chamber you put it into the Color Top you want to use.  This transfers the colour onto your nib so you can start out colouring in one shade like Violet and then it will blend back into the original colour of the pen you are using like Cool Grey.

There is one small drawback which I feel I should mention, the ink in these pens bleeds through to the other side of the page.  It happened in my notebook, which has very thick pages, and the colouring books I tried them out in.  That's not a big problem for me, I love how they blend and create so many colours so I can live with it ruining the other side of my paper but it's up to you to decide if that would be a problem?  

As I said, I absolutely loved how these pens worked, in fact I was so impressed with them I hopped onto the Tiger Pens website and brought myself four more Color Tone pens to use in Grass Green, Crimson Red, Seville Orange and Hot Cocoa!  The last two rows in my notebook are the four new colours tested with the mixing chamber and then blended with the Color Tops. 

Trying out the Japanese brush nibs

I also tried the Japanese brush nibs with the Color Tops on another page, they are quite firm to begin with but as you use them they become softer and more flexible.  I think the colour blending looks really striking when it is used to do lettering like this!

Everything on the Color Tone Pens is replaceable. The bullet nibs, the Japanese brush nibs, the mixing chamber nib and the ink so once you have brought these pens you can keep using and enjoying them without having to buy yourself another set, so although they might seem pricey to begin with they are actually worth the investment.  A pack of five will cost you £18.95 from Tiger Pens. The Color Tops are £11.95 for a set of five and the nibs and ink for these are also replaceable.  The colorless blender pen is £3.75 and is perfect for an extra bit of blending, adding texture or patterns over the Color Tones and Tops or to erase small mistakes when you are colouring in.  Like the Color Tone pens the blender has both the bullet and brush nibs.  Individual Color Tone pens are available for £3.95 each so you can slowly top up your collection or buy a colour you need without having to purchase a full pack of pens.

Perfect for colouring in

This reindeer is the first picture I coloured in with the Chameleon pens.  In the past I have used pencil crayons in my colouring books because I liked to be able to blend the colours together which you can't do with regular pens but I also liked how bright and colourful ink looked on the pages so I alternated between pencils and fineliners.  Now I can have the best of both worlds, bright, beautiful, blended colours that really stand out!

Floral tea party using Chameleon Color Tones & Tops

I spent some time over the holidays colouring in this floral tea party scene, the second page is still a work in progress but I am really enjoying doing it with the Chameleon products.  My only problem now is stopping my eldest daughter from trying to use them every time she spots me!  I think I'm raising a fellow stationery addict!  

For more information about Chameleon pens and products check out the Tiger Pens website or ask me and I will try to answer your questions.

Thanks for stopping by!

April Filofax photo-a-day challenge, week four

Here are the photos I took for the final week of the challenge.  I'm so sad it is over already!

Day twenty-two - starts with B

These carrots are actually bubble bars from Lush.  You swish one around the water in your bath and they make lots of fun bubbles and smell very nice.

Day twenty-two - starts with B

Day twenty-three - a name

My name on my Cute Organizing dividers.  They are A5 size and I really miss seeing this view now I have downsized to personal size.

Day twenty-three - a name

Day twenty-four - throwback Thursday

A year ago I was using my A5 Apex and these are the pages I decorated that week.  Yup it's another Alice in wonderland theme!

Day twenty-four - throwback Thursday

Day twenty-five - LOL!

I don't know if it's the idea of carrying a lippie around on my keys or just how small and cute it is, I can't quite put my finger on why this mini lipstick amuses me but it does!

Day twenty-five - LOL!

Day twenty-six - before

When I started using a Filofax I just had this one and I loved it so much I ended up with...

Day twenty-six - before

Day twenty-seven - after

.... all these!

Day twenty-seven - after

Day twenty-eight - underneath and day twenty-nine - sentimental

I cheated and combined two days again!  This is my Malden underneath some things that make me sentimental.  The flowers are the rose buttonhole my husband wore on our wedding day and a carnation taken from my bouquet. The pebble and shell were things we found on the beach when we went for a walk along it after the ceremony.  I feel all mushy now.

Days twenty-eight & twenty-nine - underneath
& sentimental

Day thirty -  monochrome

A monochrome peak inside my pencil case and filo.

Day thirty - monochrome

So that is the challenge completed, thank you again to Carla from Yay, for Fridays! for arranging it all.  

If you want to join in a photo challenge this month check out my once a week one #filophotofriday for the information.

Thanks

April Filofax photo-a-day challenge, week two

So when I wrote my Week #15 post on Monday I wished everyone a happy Easter as I didn't think I would be writing anything else before Friday.  I had completely forgotten about this round up!  Why?  Because I hadn't put it in my Filofax!  It just goes to show if I don't write it down I will probably forget it.   

Day eight - spinal

These are the two filos I am currently using, the Willow as my planner and the Chameleon as my purse.

Day eight - spinal

Day nine - upside down

How cute is this cupcake charm from xoxRufus?  Ruth made it for me in colours to match my Willow so they go together perfectly.  I love her Etsy shop Kawaii Studios, it is full of sweet little charms and cuteness.

Day nine - upside down

Day ten - artistic

Black and white arty type shot of the Willow.

Day ten - artistic

Day eleven - eating 

Some mornings only tea and crumpets will do and having them while using my Cath Kidston mug and plate makes them even better!

Day eleven - eating

Day twelve - right this minute

I was outside enjoying the sunshine and birdsong.  I simply love this time of year!

Day twelve - right this minute

Day thirteen - highlight of my day

There is no doubt that reaching 200 followers on Bloglovin was the highlight of my week so far let alone the day!

Day thirteen - highlight of my day

Day fourteen - script

My awful handwriting, it took about six attempts before I was happy enough to take a photo of it. 

Day fourteen - script

Thanks for reading and have a great week!  

April Filofax photo-a-day challenge, week two

So when I wrote my Week #15 post on Monday I wished everyone a happy Easter as I didn't think I would be writing anything else before Friday.  I had completely forgotten about this round up!  Why?  Because I hadn't put it in my Filofax!  It just goes to show if I don't write it down I will probably forget it.   

Day eight - spinal

These are the two filos I am currently using, the Willow as my planner and the Chameleon as my purse.

Day eight - spinal

Day nine - upside down

How cute is this cupcake charm from xoxRufus?  Ruth made it for me in colours to match my Willow so they go together perfectly.  I love her Etsy shop Kawaii Studios, it is full of sweet little charms and cuteness.

Day nine - upside down

Day ten - artistic

Black and white arty type shot of the Willow.

Day ten - artistic

Day eleven - eating 

Some mornings only tea and crumpets will do and having them while using my Cath Kidston mug and plate makes them even better!

Day eleven - eating

Day twelve - right this minute

I was outside enjoying the sunshine and birdsong.  I simply love this time of year!

Day twelve - right this minute

Day thirteen - highlight of my day

There is no doubt that reaching 200 followers on Bloglovin was the highlight of my week so far let alone the day!

Day thirteen - highlight of my day

Day fourteen - script

My awful handwriting, it took about six attempts before I was happy enough to take a photo of it. 

Day fourteen - script

Thanks for reading and have a great week!  

April Filofax photo-a-day challenge, week one

April saw the start of another Yay, for Fridays! photo challenge so I am doing my usual weekly round up of the photos I have taken during it.  As I started writing this post I realised the challenge is a year old now so I want to say congratulations to Carla and thank you for keep on coming up with new ideas for us all!  

Day one - I heart..

.. being colourful!  This is the front page of my art journal and it is full of colourful doodles and abstract drawings. 

Day one -I heart..

Day two - A is for..

adorable!  I just love these cute paperclips my friend sent me.

Day two - A is for..

Day three - On my dashboard

I keep this sticky note with the quote "Worrying doesn't change tomorrow, it ruins today." on my dashboard because I am such a worrier.  There is also some clear sticky arrows and a magnetic bookmark so I can find the page easily.

Day three - On my dashboard

Day four - No.1

My Chameleon was my first real leather Filofax and it got me hooked.  I spent some time yesterday setting it back up as my purse and it still has it's nice leather smell even though it's a year old now.

Day four - No.1

Day five - Up close and personal

This is a close up shot of the top of my Willow filofax now I am all moved into her.

Day five- Up close and personal

Day six - Writing with

I have started writing with a fountain pen again recently.  I don't use it on my Filofax pages because it tends to leak through to the other side but I like to use it if I am writing a letter or a card.

Day six - Writing with

Day seven - List it

A little list of things I want to get done this month and a few ideas of things I want to do with my children during the Easter holidays.

Day seven - List it

If you want to join in you can find all the details here or if you think a daily challenge is too much for you, you could have a go at my once a week challenge #filophotofriday. 

My pocket Chameleon Filofax - the tour

I have been using a pocket size Filofax as a purse for a few months now and it is working out really well for me.  I am still using my A5 Apex as my main planner as you can see in my weekly posts but I am considering moving down to a personal size.  I think my main issue with downsizing would mean I wouldn't need to use a pocket size anymore which would make the two I have redundant and I love them too much to leave them both sat in their boxes.  This post is about my pocket size Chameleon in raspberry.  

Here she is, my pocket size Chameleon

Is it weird that I think of my Filofaxes as she's?  I really can't help it, they just feel like girls to me and I dislike calling them it!  Anyway I adore the raspberry colour of this Filofax and the pattern too.  She looks like she is covered in lots of tiny hearts.  The leather is quite soft but still firm and has kept the lovely leathery smell well.   

The top view of my Filofax

Unlike my Apex this Chameleon is a skinny girl!  I do not have a big diary in here, only a month on two pages which barely takes up any room.

The pen loop is on the left along with five card slots

Getting coins out of the zipped section is really easy.  I had worried that it might be a tight squeeze but it isn't and I haven't had any trouble.  The pen loop is on the left on the Chameleon which means it is out of the way so I do not have to remove my pen before I can get to my money which is a big plus for me!

My month on two pages diary

My diary and page markers are both from Japan Corner on Etsy, like the dividers in my Apex which I wrote about here.  I really like how cute they are!

I also have a section of To Do list pages

I keep some To Do list pages in this section and behind those some note paper in case I think of something I need to remember while I am out and about.

Finance pages

The next section is for my finance pages.  I use them to keep track of my spending and what is coming in and going out.  I find these pages really useful.

How she looks today

Behind the card slots is a secretarial pocket which is where I am keeping my vouchers to use while shopping.  I also stick my shopping list onto the fly leaf at the front of the Filofax.  I use long sticky post it notes to write my lists in my Apex and then transfer it over on the day I do the weekly shop.

My other pocket size Filofax is an Amazona in black.  I will be writing about her soon but here is a peek inside for now.

My pocket size Amazona

It was love at first sight for me with both of these Filofaxes which is why I am having such a hard time trying to decide if I should move into a personal size.  I could set the A5 Apex up as somewhere to keep my bills and important paperwork so it would still be in use but I wouldn't carry around a personal and a pocket size Filofax in my bag at the same time.  I think I would put my cards in the slots in a personal size and use a small coin purse alongside it.  I have had my eye on the yellow Original and the aqua Malden in personal sizes since I first saw them on Philofaxy earlier this year but I don't know if I could love either of them more than my Chameleon or Amazona?  Hmmm I'm not sure if I will be reaching a conclusion any time soon!

April Filofax photo-a-day challenge, day eight

Day eight's theme is Fanned/open so here is a look at the inside of my Chameleon.

April challenge - day eight

I  had some Rilakkuma note paper which I cut down and punched to fit into my Filofax.  I really like it and think it looks so cute!

I am excited today as this blog is exactly three months old and I think I will hit 6000 views at some point today which is amazing!  Thank you so much for stopping by to read my posts!  

April Filofax photo-a-day challenge, day six and new stickers!

Today's theme is Fat or Skinny.  My A5 Apex is fat but my pocket Chameleon is skinny so I took photos of them both.  I had slimmed the Apex down last week but something I thought I had sorted out turned out not to be so I had to add all the paperwork back into the binder.  

April challenge - day six

Also I had a fantastic surprise in the post today.  My sister in law sent me these!

My amazingly fabulous stickers!

I honestly don't know if I want to stick them all on one week of my diary or never use any of them in case I can't replace them!  I am worried that a sheet of stickers can make me this happy but they are just so cute!

Pocket size Filofax - a nice surprise

After using my pocket size Chameleon as a purse for a couple of weeks I have made a discovery.   The top opening pocket that came with the binder is actually big enough to hold my mobile phone.

In the pocket

 I had put my phone in the back of the Filofax a couple of times and just closed the clasp to hold it in place but I remembered a post by Tracy (Crazy Suburban Mom) where she had found special cases from Japan that were punched to fit into a binder.  I searched eBay and coming up empty I tried to see if it would fit into a standard clear pocket. 
I have a Nokia Lumia 610 which measures 119.2 x 62.2 x 11.9mm or 4.69 x 2.44 x 0.47in and it fits easily in the top opening pocket even with the thick plastic case I have on the phone to protect it.  The Lumia is 4.6mm or 0.18in shorter than an iPhone 5 but with the extra height of the binder above the clear pocket I think an iPhone would fit ok too. 

The phone is nearly as wide as my inserts

Having my phone in the Chameleon does take up space on the rings but as I'm not using it as my main planner it is fine for me.  I only have a month on two pages diary in there, some note paper and a couple more pockets so its not very full at the minute.  I like having my phone in the Filofax as it keeps everything important together in my bag (purse, phone, pen, diary), it's very handy.  Now if I could only find some way of keeping my keys with it all!


*Disclaimer - I have not tried to see if an iPhone 5 would fit into the top opening pocket (because I don't have one), it is just my opinion that it would probably fit.