While collecting the info for A Pair of Pears printable 2013 desk calendar, I found that they also offer free desktop wallpapers for computer, iPhone and Android. Inspired and simple.
(via A Pair of Pears)
A Pair of Pears 2013 Desk Calendar
Download and print out this great office-centric 11×17″ desk calendar designed by A Pair of Pears for Emma Magazine. I am printing mine out now… you know how I love Pink Pearl erasers!
Oh, Hello Friend Desktop Wallpapers
I don’t know if you like changing your desktop wallpaper regularly but I do. Unfortunately, finding pleasing but not disruptive wallpapers can be quite challenging. So I was pleased to find that Oh, Hello Friend offers a free desktop wallpaper for your computer, cellphone or iPad each month. Most months the wallpaper is a lovely calendar but for January of this year, as if she knew I would be too far behind to get it to you in time, is an inspirational message.
Happy National Handwriting Day!
Today is National Handwriting Day, at least here in the US, though I don’t think too many people celebrate it with as much fanfare and enthusiasm as I do.
The date of January 23 was selected because it is also the birthday of John Hancock, best known for his legible-but-large signature on the US Declaration of Independence. So, in spite of continued cutbacks in funding for teaching handwriting in schools in the US, I still want to recognize the day with much fanfare and ballyhoo.
I went in search of handwritten examples of Handwriting Day enthusiasm and found some fun examples from friends old and new. I also enlisted the help of some of my more talented co-workers.
According to WTVY in Dothan, AL it is also Pie Day (according to the Pie Council — who knew we even had one) and Measure Your Feet Day. Now you know.
Visconti Bakelite-Like Ink Cartridge Case
Last week, I got a tip about the Visconti Bakelite-like ink cartridge holders available on Choosing Keeping. Each sells for £4 and holds seven short European standard ink cartridge refills in a coordinating color to the case. Upon further research my friends found a US vendor selling the same item for $6.90 via Amazon.The prices are pretty comparable whether you order domestically or abroad.
I have a decent collection of fountain pens that use these short cartridges so I am always looking for a good option to carry a few extra cartridges with me for those “just in case” moments. The Kaweco cartridge dispenser is super cool and I load mine randomly with various ink colors for a little ink roulette but I love the vintage classic look of these Visconti cases that would coordinate perfectly with my Kaweco Guilloch 1930 fountain pen.
Can you tell I like the green one?
Video: Lloyd Reynolds Calligraphy Lessons
Lloyd Reynold’s recorded twenty 30-minute instructional videos in 1968 and again eight years later in color to demonstrate and instruct on italic calligraphy and handwriting. At the 5-minute mark of the first episode, the demonstrations begin. Its a little slow but its over 8.5 hours of free calligraphy lessons, if its something you are interested in learning.
(via Reed College)
Link Love: Write it down now
This is what happens when I don’t do a Link Love for over two weeks: it becomes epic! Sorry its so long but I didn’t want anything to get overlooked or skipped.
Handwriting Month:
- January is National Handwriting Month (via Letter Writers Alliance)
- January 23rd is National Handwriting Day (via Detroit Free Press)
- Why email will never replace the handwritten letter (via Forbes)
- Pentel Handwriting Day Contest (via Economy Pens)
Pens:
- Don’t Buy Torr pens (via Pen Addict)
- TWSBI Mini Black EF review (via Informal Scribble)
- Fine Fountain Pens for Everyday Use (via JetPens)
- Pilot Razor Point II Review (via Economy Pens)
Paper:
- Sloane Crosley’s Yearly Date with the Planner (via Notebook Stories and NYTimes)
- Updates on product issues from Rhodia (via Rhodia Drive)
- Handmade Planners and Journals (via Etsy)
- Ted Baker Brogue Notebooks (via Notebook Stories)
- Using Field Notes to organize stamps (via Felt & Wire)
- Dodo Book of the Big Move (follow-up to the handmade moving journal)
- Trying out the Moleskine Sketchbook (via Notebook Stories)
- Evernote Smart Moleskine Review (via Leigh Reyes)
- Mara-Mi 12-month Notebook Set (via Office Supplies Junkie)
Digital:
- The glories of SimpleNote and some alternatives (via Shawn Blanc)
- A month with the iPad Mini (via Minimal Mac)
Miscellaneous:
- Sandbox workstation (via Neatorama)
- A Delivery for Dr. Jones (via Letter Writers Alliance)
- Omoi Zakka Online Shop
- Litterati
- Boing Boing founder Mark Frauenfelder talks about his favorite pen products (via JetPens)