In feature

A Thanks to You!

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments
A Thanks to You!

I was talking and thinking about my personal hang up with the words “grateful” and “gratitude”. I feel that that have been overused and become something that feels almost performative.

But I believe in the concept of being grateful.

I want to take time out of my day and my life to remember the good things, the things that made me happy, the people who matter to me.

So, no matter how hooky I feel about the words and the associations I have, I want to acknowledge the good things in my life, even when things feel bleak.

So, today I want to say, I am grateful for:

  • You, my lovely readers of this site
  • Laura and Thien-Kim for stepping up and writing for the site
  • To my Patrons who help fund this venture, provide insight, ideas and encouragement
  • To JetPens, our most loyal and long-standing (and currently ONLY) site sponsor
  • To Vanness Pen Shop, Dromgoole’s, Pen Chalet, Pen Boutique, Federalist Pens and all the other shops who have helped us along the way by providing review samples, support and encouragement
  • To my friends, both pen and pen-adjacent, who listen to me when I do nothing but “talk shop”
  • To my knit group who force me to spend time doing something other than pen stuff
  • To Brad for being such a loyal supporter of the pen community and me all these years. I know it goes to his head sometimes but honestly, he’s a pretty great guy.
  • To Bob for supporting this crazy stationery adventure, for spending his weekends making Col-o-ring, driving to pen shows, testing millions of different paper stocks, and saying “yes, Hon…” whenever I panic, holler or otherwise meltdown. I love you.
  • To the cats for leaving cat hair in every photo shoot, on every package and occasionally chewing on invoices. I do all this because I need to feed you monsters.
  • And finally, I know I’m probably forgetting a million people but know that I am laying in bed tonight thinking “OMG! I can’t believe I forgot so-and-so. Should I take out a full page ad in Variety tomorrow to make it up to them?” Just know, it’s you.

What are you grateful for? And can someone leave a suggestion for some way to say it that doesn’t feel so… cheesy? Thanks! You rock!

In Link Love

Link Love: Extra Gravy

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment
Link Love: Extra Gravy

I hope everyone is getting a chance to relax, eat their favorite holiday foods and spend time with people you actually like. If not, you can look forward to listening to Brad and I do yet another Holiday Gift Guide on the Pen Addict this week (episode goes live on Wednesday, Nov. 26). This is probably our tenth Holiday Gift Guide (neither one of us could verify the exact number, maybe 9, maybe 10 – -but it’s a lot!).

If all else fails, add more gravy.

Pens:

Ink:

Notebooks & Paper:

Art & Creativity:

Other Interesting Things:

I am so grateful to my Patrons who have been such an integral part of the growth and stability of this site. But beyond my endless gratitude, Patrons also get some really great perks like a bi-weekly podcast, special shop discounts, printables, newsletters and more. Give yourself the gift of more stationery love and consider subscribing to our Patreon. Thank you!

In photo

What’s new pussycat?

Author Laura CameronPosted on 4 Comments
What’s new pussycat?

Hello! I’m on holiday break this week (but still working… sheesh!) and so I wanted to share a quick post about what’s new to my EDC/travel carry! Two fun new pens have entered the collection.

The first is the TWSBI Eco Plum + Onyx ($55.99 at Lemur Ink). This is one area where Ana and I agree to disagree – she doesn’t care much for TWSBIs but I LOVE them. And this one was made for me as it’s one of my favorite colors! This week I have it matched with Colorverse’s Lights on Ceres and I’m loving it. Color makes me happy.

The second is one of the new limited edition Retro 51s Tornado Rollerball – Patchwork ($69.50 at Dromgooles). I know I’ve written a lot about my knitting here, but in the last few years I’ve started quilting. I couldn’t resist this sweet edition (and the matching Rickshaw Pen Sleeve). And look at how well it matches my travel notebook!

In general, I’m not purchasing as much as I once was, in terms of pen, ink or notebooks. But every so often a few things catch my eye and fall into my cart.

Speaking of which, it’s almost prime shopping season and while I’m trying to avoid big retailers this year, I’m ever so happy to support all my maker friends! Are you shopping the Black Friday sales for gifts? Or for a few new fun items for yourself?

In Planners & Organizers

Planner Set-Up for December

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment
Planner Set-Up for December

I had planned to share a video of my process but technology is not on my side today so in an effort to get this post up today, I’m hoping you all will be okay with photos this time since very little has changed from October or November.

If I can pull the video footage, I’ll add it to this post tomorrow. Sorry for the less-than-detailed planner set-up this month. Sometimes, life just does not go according to plan.

My planner set-up has not really changed in the last few months. I’ve been using a Paperblanks blank midi-sized journal with a printable calendar from my Patreon subscription. And I’m loving the new Cora Crea Creates Journal Clip! The Paperblanks book had enough pages to see me through three months with some extra space in the back for lists, notes, pen tests and such. As a result it created a way to be able to start a new journal/planner in January for that fresh start for the new year.

I get excited about starting a new planner or journal but I am also a little verklempt to have to put aside the book I had spent the better part of a year filling with memories, thoughts and ideas. Where do you land on finishing a journal or planner? Love it or hate it?

B6 notebook with holiday printable tip-in page and variety of pens

The theme this month is Pink Christmas and I even made matching sticker sheets which should be available next week (I’m waiting for them to arrive from the printer!) I wanted a sparkly, happy vibe for December this year and I thought pink poinsettias, glittery baubles and candles would be just the thing to brighten the dark days of December.

I chose a selection of pens from my collection that were green or pink and filled them with coordinating inks. I try to choose 2-3 fountain pens in distinct but usable colors for writing and then some markers, brush pens, felt tip and gel pens to add color, and zhoosh up my planner/journal.

I selected an assortment of stickers from my stash as well as a small assortment of washi tape. My goal this month, as most months, is to use what I have wherever possible and only add in where absolutely needed like my monthly Date Dots and Typewriter Days sticker sheets. I wrap my washi around old hotel key cards. This creates a nice portable amount of washi and provides a curated selection so I am not struck with indecision or overwhelm.

I spend about 45 minutes to an hour to do my whole set-up process from printing the calendar insert to choosing sticker and washi and pens. I then spend another 30 minutes to an hour “decorating” my pages with the day and date and some pretty little extras. I often do my set-up and decorating while listening to an audiobook or podcast or even while sitting on the couch watching a movie.

By pre-planning my theme and adding these embellishments, I escape the fear of the blank page and hopefully sets me up for success each month.

I think of it as a clean start each month, no matter how much or how little I completed the previous month. Just start again. There is no journal police that will tell you you didn’t do it right or that it should be a certain way. Do it your way. Make it a space you like to visit and that will help you take the time to write, draw, archive and remember.

In Fashionable Friday

Fashionable Friday: Teal Appeal

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments
Fashionable Friday: Teal Appeal

I’ve been noticing teal, deep blue-greens everywhere and is a great color for winter. It’s a deep and moody color but also bright and happy to help get through the dark, cold days and long nights of the winter. There are so many beautiful stationery options in this colorway. I really think I want a whole teal backpack full of teal notebooks, pens and ink. Too much?

In Ink Review

More Purply Inks: Ink Institute, Diamine & Yachingstyle

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments
More Purply Inks: Ink Institute, Diamine & Yachingstyle

I keep picking up more purple inks. I don’t know what’s possessed me but I keep finding new, different and interesting purply colors.

Over the last few months, I grabbed a bottle of the Yachingstyle Bellflower, Ink Institute Echeveria Sahviana (Mexican Hens) and Diamine Inkvent Black Edition Potpourri.

The Inks:

I confess I bought Ink institute Mexican Hens because of the name. I have this same problem with nail polish. As lovely as it is, the color is not very saturated and is unlikely to get much use in my super fine pens.

Yachingstyle Bellflower was a limited edition color that was on sale at the SF Pen Show so I got caught up in the whole FOMO of the show. Its a deep indigo violet color so I’m hoping it will be more saturated in writing than Mexican Hens.

Finally, Diamine Potpourri is a reddish plummy purple which is a color that I do tend to be attracted to as you’ll see below.

Comparing Inks:

Ink Institute Mexican Hens is a smoky blue purple with low saturation. I don’t have a lot of other colors that are similar but that’s probably because its soon light. I think Kala Abstraction Pigment Ink in Mongolian Sandstorm is the closest but I think Diamine Inkvent Black Edition Marley has a lovely blackberry color that looks quite light with a fine nib size.

Diamine Potpourri is probably pretty similar to Troublemaker Inks Moon River but it much more readily available. For me, Robert Oster Australian Opal Mauve is a tiny bit more purply and a little more saturated but its pretty close.

Yanchingstyle Bellflower is more blue than many of the deeper violet purples in my collection. Vinta Maskara is probably the closest though it is a more vibrant violet with more red in the color. I love Maskara and its almost empty so I think Bellflower will make a good replacement for now.

I know a lot of ink colors feel like they are limited edition or only available for a short time so I think finding a close dupe is a great way to feel like you have the fancy color. Dupes also help to avoid the possibility of buying a similar color to something you might already have.

In the case of Mexican Hens, I don’t have anything similar but it is really light so I think it might be better for drawing, painting or more artistic uses. Both Potpourri and Bellflower may be more useful and I’m planning to you use them more frequently.

Do you find yourself getting into a specific color family and buying a lot of different inks in that color family?

DISCLAIMER: Some items included in this review were provided free of charge by Dromgoole’s, Vanness Pen Shop and JetPens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In Link Love

Link Love: The Penny Drops

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment
Link Love: The Penny Drops

For some reason, the end of minting the US penny hits hard for me. While I do believe they will remain in circulation for many years to come, it just feels weird even if I haven’t paid cash for anything in months. Dig around in those change jars, couch cushions and under the seat in your car and drop all your pennies off at your bank so they stay in circulation for as long as possible.

Pens:

Ink:

Planners, Notebooks & Paper:

Art & Creativity:

Other Interesting Things:

Have you joined our Patreon yet? Patron have access to an exclusive podcast, free printables, downloadables, newsletter and more. Your patronage supports this site. Without you, we could not continue to do what we do. Thank you!