A letter from France arrived today with an amazing array of stamps. They will eventually find homes in my journal and in collages, but for now, they are too gorgeous together to relocate. What would you do with them?
Archive for the ‘Doodles & Journals’ Category
Gold Leaf for Journals and Collages
04/12/2023Not really gold leaf but it is a good substitute for Momigami paper. Acrylic ink and a paper bag are all the materials you will need. Cut it into any size and decorate your journal and collages with a touch of gold. It is simple and easy to make based on the tutorial from jocelynbenford on Instagram.
This really works!
A Cheeky Pilot Kaküno
01/16/2023It was a rainy weekend lacking any charm until a long ignored Pilot Kaküno crept onto my desk where it joined a collage in a Traveler’s Notebook. Someday I will find an ink to match the cap and give it the attention it is due. Honestly, who can resist a nib like this?
Pantone Color Of The Year For 2023
12/03/2022
Journals For An Inkophile
11/22/2022Recently, Elena asked me about Traveler’s Notebooks and I realized to what extent they have taken over my journal writing. I am on my sixth undated planner (#019), third personal journal (#013) and third collage journal (#003). Also used, if a bit less often, are notebooks for lists and swatches. On occasion, a passport sized notebook hitches a ride in my handbag for notes at events and appointments.
I made the move to Traveler’s when it was Midori and after Moleskine paper failed to meet my standards. I like the customizable format and the variety of handcrafted soft covers that can be found at eBay and Etsy.
I am not in a rut, but am very content to use these with the fude fountain pens, mechanical pencil and gel pen that are always at hand.
None of my current covers are from Traveler’s though I might elect to add one in leather next year. Most of my writing is at my desk so a lightweight cover or even none at all is very workable.
My A5 and A6 notebooks are very jealous of the attention the Traveler’s Notebooks receive though they do get the call to action when removeable paper is needed. At least there is that for the poor things.
What is your favorite notebook? Hobonichi is the one for many writers. Is it yours?
Which Ink Would You Suggest?
11/07/2022Some time ago, I purchased a Majohn (Moonman) S5 Eyedropper fountain pen. The EF nib would not loosen so I could not install one of the alternate nibs that came with the pen. As a resident of the pen drawer it passed from memory. Rupertarzeian reminded me of the S5 in a recent post. Yesterday, I gave it another try and with a bit more muscle, the nib came loose and what appears to be a right or reverse oblique got installed. Well, sort of. The nib and feed will not align correctly so I am skeptical but a proper test it shall have.
Now for the really hard part. What ink would be best for a pen that will hold enough of it to last months. Red, yellow and orange are not colors I would use page after page but that leaves half a rainbow of other options. What ink would you suggest? Well-behaved is the only essential characteristic though shading would be a nice touch. The transparent barrel will show off the color so that is to be considered, too. Which ink would you put in the S5?
Esterbrook Fountain Pens and Journaling
10/27/2022The esterbrook_official account on Instagram has posted some videos of fountain pens used in journals that have been embellished with ephemera. Also known as scrapbooking, this method of decorating a journal employs colors and shapes to make appealing designs using stickers, stamps and seals.
Fountain pen writing is not required when creating a layout. Here are two of mine that didn’t need words.
Although I used a Traveler’s Notebook, any journal will do including those that did not take well to fountain pen ink. You don’t have notebooks with less than stellar paper do you? Ha!
For years my planner has been divided into sections defined by washi tape and often stickers. Full-page layouts are a natural extension of that and are very satisfying to make. If there is interest, I will write a post about a few techniques, tools and products.
Very highly recommended activity if you need/want/crave another hobby.
An Inkophile's Blog 
