The Well-Appointed Desk

I don’t know where on the spectrum your significant other, spouse or children are on the “pen love” chart but I officially converted my husband to the joys of good pens about a year ago. As a result, certain items come into my house that I never, ever, ever see again. While I’m flattered that my pen-and-paper snobbery has rubbed off on him, I get jealous of the items he absconds with.

For example, the above video was the one and only time I saw the new Retro 51 Lift-Off pen. He showed me the rocket flare red cap and then it went in his pocket. To be fair, I totally bought the Lift-Off for Bob. I was able to garner from my quick peeks that the pen graphics are designed to read corerctly with the pen on its flat end, just like a rocket. Its apparent from the photos but until it was in Bob’s hand, I didn’t make the connection. And the bright red end cap does look like ignition burn red.

Bob also ran away with the Retro 51 Pinball edition. Which I was flattered he liked so much that he wanted it for himself.

He even checks out auction sites for NASA-specific Fisher Space Pens. I’ve yet to capture a good photo of it but he scored a mission-specific Shuttle launch commemorative pen with a space shuttle charm soldered to the pen cap. He loves this pen! See? He does not share his treasures! I’ve taught him too well.

(All I got for you is the Field Notes “stock photo”. You know as much as I do.)

Also, the new Field Notes Colors Edition Workshop Edition got as far as my kitchen table before Bob slid them to his side covetously. I wasn’t even allowed to open the cellophane. So, I need to order another set for myself. I cannot describe any aspect of the Workshop Edition other than it came in a cardboard box with a lovely postal label on it. I think I spied a magnet in a plastic bag as well. Otherwise, I’ve got no details. I can’t tell you how luscious the upscale paper is or which of the six editions I’m most likely to use first.

So, my advice, train your family and friends cautiously. They might run off with the new stuff before you even get a peek!

In Ink Review

Ink: Papier Plume Inks

AnaJune 29, 2015June 28, 2015

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My fine friend Father Kyle, sent me an assortment of inks to try out including three Papier Plume colors. Papier Plume is a New Orleans-based pen shop with a small collection of their own inks. I had the pleasure of trying out the Midnight Blue, Violet and Forget-Me-Not Blue. Papier Plume offers their inks in three bottle sizes: 15ml ($5), 30ml ($8) and 50ml bottles ($12).

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I tested the inks with an Esterbrook 2442 nib in a Shawn Newton nib holder on Rhodia paper as well as did swabs with a watercolor paintbrush on the left hand side. On the right hand side, I waited for the inks to dry and then went over the swabs with water to see how much the inks bled.

The Violet was dried to a lovely chalky hue. It was a very mellow violet and pretty. The Violet was the least The Midnight Blue looked almost black when its wet and but dried lighter like a denim-y blue. What was so surprising to me is how much I liked the Forget-Me-Not Blue. I normally think of a true blue as blah but this blue is lip-smackingly beautiful. The only comparison I could make was to describe it as Cornflower blue. Its lovely.

All the colors dried fairly quickly, even in the stub nib and wielded by a messy left-handed writer. I’m inclined to recommend placing an order for either the Violet or the Forget-Me-Not Blue right now. I would also love to try their Moss Green if its ever restocked. It looks fabulous!

In Art of the Day

Love Wins

AnaJune 27, 20153 Comments

I know people are already starting to complain about too many rainbows in their Facebook and Instagram feeds but I was so tickled at the outpouring of love and support from all the folks in my Instagram feed yesterday that I couldn’t help but share some of the wonderful, creative and paper-inspired images. I love that people are using their tools to celebrate and embrace everyone. I’m proud to be a part of such a great community.

lovewins1 Top to bottom, left to right: @lilasymons, @filednotesbrand, @besamecosmetics, @skylabletterpress, @tagteamtompkins, @presentandcorrect, @gemmacorrell, @emilymcdowell, @bygumbygolly.

If you’re interested in the #LoveWins split-fountain letterpress print that Skylab Letterpress made yesterday, email them from their web site and let them know you want to order one. They are hoping to donate the proceeds for the sale of the print to a local LGBT charity here in KC.

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Top to bottom, left to right: @michaelong, @jasperfforde, @cwpencilenterprise, @4theloveoftoys, @mypapercrane, @heymatthew, @candyspotting, @shopcraftgasm, @sarahwalshmakesthings.

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Left to right, top to bottom: @ceylangul, @wellapptdesk, @curbsidetreasure, @adelinesattic, @paperpastries and @dovbee.

#lovewins

In Fashionable Friday

Fashionable Friday: Peacock

AnaJune 26, 2015June 26, 20157 Comments

Fashionable Friday: peacock

Aviary Fond Memory Necklace $19.99 (via Modcloth)
Pilot Iroshizuku Mini Ink in Ku-jaku Peacock $14 (via Jet Pens)
Modern Peacock print $22.43 and up (via Etsy)
Kaweco ART Sport Fountain Pen in Lapis $81 (via Pen Chalet)
Filofax Saffiano Aquamarine A5 Organizer $65 (via Goldspot Pens)
Lamy Safari Neonlime fountain pen (2015 Special Edition) €19,50 (via Fontoplumo)
Retro 51 Tornado Peacock Lacquer Finish Rollerball Pen $20 (via Goldspot Pens)
Ogami Professional Hardcover Notebook in Aqua Green $20 (via Jet Pens)
Craft Design Technology Pencils Set of 3 HB $6.50 (via Fresh Stock)
Faber-Castell Grip 2011 Teal Blue Mechanical Pencil $16 (via Anderson Pens)
CUBE by Karas Kustoms & Dudek Modern Goods $85 (via Karas Kustoms)
Peacock Mobile Phone Case $35 (via Society 6)
Kokuyo KadoKeshi Stick Mini Twist Eraser in Lime Green $3.30 (via Jet Pens)
Mitsubishi No. 101 Colored Pencils Set of 12 $9 (via Fresh Stock)

In Link Love

Link Love: Moleskine Blowback!

AnaJune 25, 2015June 24, 20156 Comments

Post of the Week:
Brad over at Pen Addict annoyed and infuriated a lot of people with his opinions on a recent podcast about the Moleskine notebook. This week, he posted his favorite Moleskine Alternatives and talked at length on the show this week about how Moleskines are not evil but they are more hype, marketing and brand recognition than they are quality paper goods.