tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47627238394038578832024-02-03T01:33:55.195+01:00these beautiful pensMissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-6980849287478889322016-03-03T08:39:00.000+01:002016-03-03T08:39:31.513+01:00Journal & bookbinding impressions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been quite busy lately but I'm still alive and, mostly, binding books these days. I'm afraid there aren't a lot of new fountain pens to show though I've acquired some, mainly demonstrators -. some TWSBIs and an Asa Galactic!<br />
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Working with my hands brings me more joy these days though. It also keeps me quite busy as it's complex stuff. Still no perfect specimen in sight!<br />
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Who knew that Carta Fiorentina is made in a variety of color ranges, like these autumnal shades of brown and yellow?<br />
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These endpapers are french marble with gold print. They remind me of lava veins.<br />
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I'm learning to make silk headbands. This has been one of the first ones. They are made by wrapping and typing silk threads over a core.<br />
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I choose the colors to match the cover. Luckily buttonhole silk is available in a myriad of colors and rather inexpensive. I bought a mixed lot off eBay.<br />
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The book block is held within the press so both hands are free for sewing.<br />
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The core can be vellum, leather, paper or a combination of those.<br />
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The finished headband. It's been a few weeks since I made this one and looking at it makes me cringe, my recent ones are much neater. Practice helps, as always.<br />
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Headbands in their natural habitat, ie the finished books. I really like the wide range of colors and designs that's possible. Ready made headbands frequently aren't a perfect match color wise.<br />
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Finally, a book! This is what it's supposed to be all about, right?<br />
It's a small book, smaller than DIN A6, filled with about 400 pages of Tomoe River paper. I'm really having trouble with this paper, it's so flimsy and slippery!<br />
The cover is terracotta colored Oasis goatskin and French marble.<br />
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Some more Carta Fiorentina with a dark brown goatskin spine.<br />
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Grey goatskin and French marble. This one turned out really well and makes me think I'm on the right track. The "getting there" part will take me a few years though.<br />
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Of course all of these books feature some kind of fountain pen friendly paper and I'm looking into options to purchase some larger quantities, maybe even some really nice paper like pure cotton which I'm a huge fan of. MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-52109124000172733322015-11-11T08:57:00.002+01:002015-11-11T08:57:39.591+01:00More Bookbinding & Bartering: Blue leather journalAnother bartering opportunity presented itself when I asked Volker (<a href="http://www.pen-paradise.de/shop/" target="_blank">PenParadise</a>) whether he wanted to trade some of my bookbinding work for a TWSBI Vac which I had coveted for a while. He agreed so as a part of the trade I made this journal in deep royal blue and radiant orange, some of his favorite colors.<br />
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The leather is some veg tanned and rather pricey oasis goatskin. The grain and surface are marvellous but it's much too thick for good results so there's a lot of paring to do beforehand. Luckily I own a Schärf-Fix (which is tricky to master but oh so powerful) now but even so I spent what felt like hours working on it, carefully skiving off layer after layer. It's so easy to produce holes and ruin the piece. Didn't happen here though - phew.<br />
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Inside there's chamois Karstadt System Inkjet paper with a custom printed dot grid. I hope Volker will put it to lots of use!MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-84594290662195153442015-11-02T10:21:00.000+01:002015-11-02T10:26:21.829+01:00Weekly Pens, Week 45 2015: Sparkles & DemonstratorsAs daylight is becoming increasingly rare these days my "weekly pens" shots have been rather subdued this week.<br />
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As the new pen roll (which is awesome and which I still haven't shown you in full!) holds 8 pens, consequently the number of inked pens has grown to 8 as well and I'm even having difficulties sticking to this number! This is partly because I'm having so much fun mixing inks and pearl luster pigments. I used to make my own teal & gold mix before Emerald of Chivor came out but <a href="http://www.leighreyes.com/?p=5077" target="_blank">Leigh Reyes's post about colorful luster pigments</a> pushed me right over the edge into sparkles wonderland!<br />
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Maybe that's why I love demonstrators so much these days.<br />
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Sadly the Lamy Vista hasn't worked well with my sparkling ink mixes, when none of my TWSBIs had the slightest trouble with the amount of pigment added the Vista feed kept clogging up so I've cleaned it out and filled it with Stipula Zafferano. That one is very light indeed though so I might add some red or orange to improve legibility.<br />
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From left to right:<br />
<ul>
<li>TWSBI Vac with IB nib, Octopus Karibik</li>
<li>ST Dupont Olympio XL with IM nib, Herbin Bleu Ocean</li>
<li>Pelikan Fantasia with IBB nib, Herbin Gris Orage</li>
<li>TWSBI Eco with 1,1 italic, Iroshizuku Yama Budo (+ sparkles)</li>
<li>Conway Stewart Churchill with IB nib, Octopus Karamell (+ sparkles) </li>
<li>Montegrappa Miya Argento with IB nib, Sheaffer Skrip Black (+ sparkles)</li>
<li>Lamy Vista with 1,1 italic, Stipula Zafferano</li>
<li>Montegrappa Extra 1930 with IB nib, Noodler's Cayenne </li>
</ul>
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<br />MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-71369857835876896592015-10-26T09:34:00.000+01:002015-10-26T09:34:44.919+01:00Weekly Pens: Week 43 - 2015It's been a while since the last Weekly Pens!<br />
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Here's the pens I'm using this week. It's a wild mix but consistent in terms of nibs - all italics.<br />
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Montegrappa Miya Argento - IB nib - Sheaffer Skrip Black with multicolored pearl shimmer<br />
ST Dupont Olympio - IM nib - Herbin Bleu Ocean<br />
Pelikan Fantasia - IBB nib - Herbin Gris Orage<br />
Conway Stewart Churchill - IB nib - Octopus Karamell with gold shimmer<br />
Lamy Vista - 1,1 nib - Iroshizuku Yama Budo with pearl shimmer<br />
TSWBI VAC - IB nib - Octopus Karibik<br />
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I've clearly been bitten by the shimmer bug but instead of investing in the Diamine Shimmertastic ink range I've started experimenting with mica shimmer of which I still had a fair amount left from soapmaking (as I've realized I prefer soap without any color in it).<br />
I make sure to use those mixes only in pens which I can take apart completely and scrub the feed clean if need be.<br />
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Admiring the sparkles float around in the ink I noticed that I "needed" more demonstrators so I got the Lamy Vista - my only Lamy pen, I'm not a fan usually but the eyedropper Vista looks cool and the factory italic isn't bad either.<br />
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Also I managed to barter for the TWSBI VAC which is awesome! Thanks Volker, your notebook is almost finished.<br />
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MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-56406009836191911232015-09-22T06:41:00.000+02:002015-09-22T06:41:50.823+02:00Handmade Leather Kindle Cover & Making of PicturesAbout this time last year I got a half leather Kindle cover from Bomo Art. I loved it but it didn't hold up to daily use very well. My Kindle goes wherever I go and so does its case. It is pulled out of and stuffed back into my bag several times a day. A paper cover, even if reinforced with leather at spine and corners, is too flimsy for that so I decided a full leather cover would be better.<br />
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I measured my Kindle and cut some 2 mm cardboard for the covers and some slightly thinner one for the spine. For the front cover I made a debossed design similar to the red Carta Fiorentina journal from my last post.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJwAMCHErOfYEtOqhCWf0Cf6VXjA49jjv0waAROUyULYQlqaFZnCdTmhKnqrZmEFWY1dBa3IK4iVeFb8SG4UwbYKvKSqZuijnExg3zTLHaEEA68fkpULSDm6QBruz4Ii7pjMZMtwHvl0/s1600/workshop2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJwAMCHErOfYEtOqhCWf0Cf6VXjA49jjv0waAROUyULYQlqaFZnCdTmhKnqrZmEFWY1dBa3IK4iVeFb8SG4UwbYKvKSqZuijnExg3zTLHaEEA68fkpULSDm6QBruz4Ii7pjMZMtwHvl0/s640/workshop2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this picture the cardboard is ready to be covered with leather. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I chose thin calfskin in a very light natural tan tone but was looking for something a tad darker with an antique-ish finish. Back to dying with ink then! On my first attempt of doing that I merely painted the leather with a brush but I didn't like the durability, it really needed the Acrylic Resolene to stay put and not bleed, so I tried another method this time.<br />
I used fountain pen ink again with good results, specifically Herbin Ambre de Birmanie.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCm7oAuWbqjoZmqexS3TUDSRu1AuFPcCD6st5LIjDjoLZCk6XhYodtHa4a38MnC1wYf28EbyPjWMIxYEwGyQxIWl5BNyvCtp4nFJJhi_x2Rb1dTrRbWkInTNxA3kR2wlq-71v3zn53og/s1600/workshop3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCm7oAuWbqjoZmqexS3TUDSRu1AuFPcCD6st5LIjDjoLZCk6XhYodtHa4a38MnC1wYf28EbyPjWMIxYEwGyQxIWl5BNyvCtp4nFJJhi_x2Rb1dTrRbWkInTNxA3kR2wlq-71v3zn53og/s640/workshop3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ink is rubbed into the leather with cotton balls (I'd advise wearing gloves)...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpFRtqFNujfXxH_vzLRPAnmfgYDyfo36P6I171efKXrl7ePZY7et2uh7EOQgTv_qDlKDQM-0Oin1Uiud4qk6uk52IcR3tSNeTOadl0xJejdyzuLaJMCDkOfxCug8XMf6gOqBe_jZwpg0/s1600/workshop5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpFRtqFNujfXxH_vzLRPAnmfgYDyfo36P6I171efKXrl7ePZY7et2uh7EOQgTv_qDlKDQM-0Oin1Uiud4qk6uk52IcR3tSNeTOadl0xJejdyzuLaJMCDkOfxCug8XMf6gOqBe_jZwpg0/s640/workshop5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... let dry, then rubbed again with clear water. The dye is worked into the surface, excess dye is removed, making sure the fingers stay clean when handling the finished product.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV4tSxzXgXNPjND_lba7sIKo1_mvqF4uEaggW8F4iHLxCnMMvHcVT9QklYa5mUuaSLrnT3bKOp4nVXwaRwrKeAopkKcL5w1vHhhI7-1ki1mQuH0OAFz0WjSyrnSTRRnluUo0FekSKoHM/s1600/workshop4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV4tSxzXgXNPjND_lba7sIKo1_mvqF4uEaggW8F4iHLxCnMMvHcVT9QklYa5mUuaSLrnT3bKOp4nVXwaRwrKeAopkKcL5w1vHhhI7-1ki1mQuH0OAFz0WjSyrnSTRRnluUo0FekSKoHM/s640/workshop4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rinse and repeat until the results are satisfactory. As long as you don't soak the leather it will take this procedure quite well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Leather is awesome for bookbinding but it comes with a catch: It's usually a little too thick and stiff, especially when covering the corners. To avoid bulky corners it helps to pare the leather down a bit, making it thinner and more pliable.<br />
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To do this you can use all sorts of knives and machinery. I like this little toy which is called a leather skiver:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-ZCiEXlTqpDzE_d5JYuZUrdTTjqKmJdgStdYjRCpHytBHLGKbulKGVBmh3JU77qx86C6xk_U7jvGxoGNwzgGfEaiUAP2IFml2bN-cG7kUtByNGCnBzrw4rkWyeMN9WMjxHV-yDEOvgY/s1600/workshop7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-ZCiEXlTqpDzE_d5JYuZUrdTTjqKmJdgStdYjRCpHytBHLGKbulKGVBmh3JU77qx86C6xk_U7jvGxoGNwzgGfEaiUAP2IFml2bN-cG7kUtByNGCnBzrw4rkWyeMN9WMjxHV-yDEOvgY/s640/workshop7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tool to peel leather like an apple. Works best with veg tanned leather.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Time for the results:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4K6I-Q9REEvEuxEnnb7sE1gV2XkzT1knQvbK4Ml84umWMct4jow0WrcbY5iQDgGW8rVMLWD5sbZPoX8d9mUICj7pvFwTL9BZhEFI-vdE232qmMx3yUgR-_mx51xgi_GeaRNzRKj5vpDw/s1600/kindle4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4K6I-Q9REEvEuxEnnb7sE1gV2XkzT1knQvbK4Ml84umWMct4jow0WrcbY5iQDgGW8rVMLWD5sbZPoX8d9mUICj7pvFwTL9BZhEFI-vdE232qmMx3yUgR-_mx51xgi_GeaRNzRKj5vpDw/s640/kindle4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The inside is covered with bookcloth and marbled paper. The Kindle is attached using double-sided tape. I used bookcloth underneath it so the tape can be replaced without ripping anything.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Fdp0rgw4CjfDL3piUH7l_p0l2UgxGNZAJvMO2SnVFIKuQLYwI1jxmBcC2PuetxNse-C0UfsMUx_vcv-0wKXCNo5c3Tx_zuf1NyJSSvJkfE0347wL02cbXVuib24V9qwQ1XzCPSJb__Y/s1600/kindle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Fdp0rgw4CjfDL3piUH7l_p0l2UgxGNZAJvMO2SnVFIKuQLYwI1jxmBcC2PuetxNse-C0UfsMUx_vcv-0wKXCNo5c3Tx_zuf1NyJSSvJkfE0347wL02cbXVuib24V9qwQ1XzCPSJb__Y/s640/kindle2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debossed design on the front cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After the dying procedure the leather usually looks a little matte. With this one I didn't use any finisher products but it did regain some sheen with use from rubbing and hand oils.</div>
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I gave this one to my Mom meanwhile to replace her machine made cover. She especially likes the feel of the leather.</div>
<br />MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-4216134499776157552015-09-08T19:42:00.000+02:002015-09-08T19:42:41.608+02:003 Takes on a Carta Fiorentina NotebookThis post is going to be picture heavy but I just had to take a lot of photos! <br />
<br />
"Carta Fiorentina" is a range of traditional Italian paper patterns. They all have this cheerful but nostalgic vibe and I especially adore the floral patterns.<br />
Also in my opinion they go really well with almost every shade of brown. To enhance their air of nostalgia I chose leather for spine and corners. They are approximately 21 x 13 cm - this is because the paper had an unusual format to begin with. They have about 140 pages.<br />
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I used two different leathers, natural tan calfskin dyed with ink (Diamine Chocolate Brown) and sealed with Fiebing's Acrylic Resolene and reddish brown sheepskin. Also I made some "fake nerves" for the spine.<br />
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Those two have hand sewn book blocks made of 110 gsqm grey-brown laid paper. It has nice deckled edges so I chose not to trim the edges. (Also I still don't have a good paper cutter so I'm having trouble getting straight and smooth cuts). <br />
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It was my first attempt at dying leather and if not for the Acrylic Resolene the color would bleed and rub off a lot. Since then I've tried another way to dye leather which worked out much better.<br />
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There are so many colors in the Carta Fiorentina pattern it's easy to pick one for endbands and ribbons.<br />
The paper is a little on the rough side but it tolerates fountain pen ink pretty well.<br />
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The third take on Carta Fiorentina is somewhat different. I made a debossed design based on the floral vines and lined it with red book cloth.<br />
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It took me quite a while to finish the intricate details of the vine.<br />
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For the book block I used some Neusiedler Japan Post paper I had dyed and distressed using strong espresso. The paper is usually high white and now has a brownish tinge and some stains here and there.<br />
The book is A5 size and has matching Carta Fiorentina endpapers. It has about 200 pages.<br />
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The bookcloth is red but with a layer of green underneath. You usually just see the red but near edges or when looking at the book from different angles you get a flash of the green from time to time.<br />
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<br />MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-67456859853301631202015-09-06T20:28:00.000+02:002015-09-06T20:28:28.280+02:00Omas OutingWent to meet some fountain pen friends and one of them wanted to see some Omas pens, so I grabbed them and took a family photo.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkk_ZsV1ENNSnh8uzrRLSmtZJTF4UojdoHaXHQ3S11-n_WK9XrRbLdiaiVuanfnGw2AbPmvHYKbylk42Mdb16oxktFzgFiTbN3xOJ53jkMcJhTDZ1mhG2qoSLjtEa3_Z-n5kfC-_qbrk/s1600/omas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkk_ZsV1ENNSnh8uzrRLSmtZJTF4UojdoHaXHQ3S11-n_WK9XrRbLdiaiVuanfnGw2AbPmvHYKbylk42Mdb16oxktFzgFiTbN3xOJ53jkMcJhTDZ1mhG2qoSLjtEa3_Z-n5kfC-_qbrk/s640/omas1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omas Extra Lucens, Ogiva Autumno, Paragon Arco old style, Ogiva Vintage saft green</td></tr>
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Only after I had packed them I realized I'd forgotten the Bibliotheque Nationale. Bummer.<br />
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I think the Extra Lucens is the star of the bunch though its partial transparency looks only half as great when empty.<br />
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Backdrop: My new and gorgeous pen wrap! It's still a little blotchy from the leather oil but that should have resolved itself by next week, then I'll show it in all its glory.<br />
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<br />MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-6468854756905551182015-09-02T09:10:00.001+02:002015-09-06T20:32:43.482+02:00The Benefits of Bartering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrYjev5Yca1tdkgDOtbpCwfjFsIspY91dedvosyutFY6UCNVQyouTsMwOTArzd-Jy3Qy21zFHq2LcV_JL52xDdziH5CmKgcEfouwIj_RwCTt4-Ap3W_5O_Gjht1aJayr90zx839Ju2w0/s1600/penroll1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrYjev5Yca1tdkgDOtbpCwfjFsIspY91dedvosyutFY6UCNVQyouTsMwOTArzd-Jy3Qy21zFHq2LcV_JL52xDdziH5CmKgcEfouwIj_RwCTt4-Ap3W_5O_Gjht1aJayr90zx839Ju2w0/s640/penroll1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A friend who is really proficient at sewing is making me a pen roll - and not just of any material but of this amazing leather!<br />
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This will be the outside of the roll, the inside will be made of somewhat thinner natural tan leather and hold 8 pens, 4 thick and 4 slim ones. There will also be a flap to protect the pen's caps from rubbing against each other. It should be ready some time this week and I'm really excited! I've always wanted to have a pen roll but the ones I saw never appealed to me.<br />
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What's best is I'm allowed to pay for this with a handmade journal. I think the pen roll should be ready some time this week and the notebook is already finished: dark brown leather with Italian peacock paper cover.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0g6XKIF4XYdLnqt_C6mp391mQJUmr4ubU5ZuJvZkijR195W1zbZIjhc2-hCdyJKgmqixJjf9R0MZ_vj3VlOhj8pH_jSvG3GW4h7ZNJsLNcfW1h0LL1908I6c_yhu72UUMzSKSx4ixyKc/s1600/penroll2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0g6XKIF4XYdLnqt_C6mp391mQJUmr4ubU5ZuJvZkijR195W1zbZIjhc2-hCdyJKgmqixJjf9R0MZ_vj3VlOhj8pH_jSvG3GW4h7ZNJsLNcfW1h0LL1908I6c_yhu72UUMzSKSx4ixyKc/s640/penroll2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 5 sized journal with leather back & corners</td></tr>
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This paper is gorgeous. I have some stationery with this motif and had been looking to buy a matching journal a while back but couldn't find a convenient option. Of course I'll have to part with this one - it goes to a young woman who is a psychologist -, but I have more than enough of this paper left to make another one for myself. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kOYuf_Xc3UVQ2dVZQHckZJ2TAW3HSrZiEW4JJ1MvFfTST1jhIDWynx47xKMOGymVZYphTyFymMaYlk-BqLCsDDvJrLvn6BnwyknDiykiGqn9nIaWcEWATEA7sOCmN2atR411Cp0j3kY/s1600/penroll3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kOYuf_Xc3UVQ2dVZQHckZJ2TAW3HSrZiEW4JJ1MvFfTST1jhIDWynx47xKMOGymVZYphTyFymMaYlk-BqLCsDDvJrLvn6BnwyknDiykiGqn9nIaWcEWATEA7sOCmN2atR411Cp0j3kY/s640/penroll3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sprinkled edges. At the far left: curious tomcat's whiskers!</td></tr>
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I pressed the book block firmly between two boards using winches, then sprinkled the edges with watercolor in various shades of blue to match the cover.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbrKw31HdsWwC6KC9pUdv7YOpAikxx-GVcbl8ReUqtmshuRWGZMh9HPZigfwCyTtJaDOSsCN1yTqf0ZfMI7AvaOd1VZEoWkcmfWT0P9xz0p6nPZr-qDurTbqwGWI8JvEalTzzv3szvmA/s1600/penroll4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbrKw31HdsWwC6KC9pUdv7YOpAikxx-GVcbl8ReUqtmshuRWGZMh9HPZigfwCyTtJaDOSsCN1yTqf0ZfMI7AvaOd1VZEoWkcmfWT0P9xz0p6nPZr-qDurTbqwGWI8JvEalTzzv3szvmA/s640/penroll4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure how these ridges on the spine are called in English. (If you know, leave a comment!) In any case they complete the nostalgic look.</td></tr>
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Spine and corners are made of heavy grain lambskin. It's a little hard to work with as it's quite stiff but I really like the look of it on the finished book.<br />
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I love bartering like this, wish there were more opportunities for it. MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-91268425905968917312015-08-22T11:10:00.001+02:002015-08-22T11:45:19.810+02:00Summer Mail - Birds and Cats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Enjoying a warm summer evening on the balcony, penning a letter to a dear friend with my Pelikan Fantasia. My tomcat Chaplin quietly relaxing next to me.<br />
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The Fantasia, currently with a BB italic nib, has been inked since I got it last winter (with Herbin Stormy Grey, though many inks will look nice with this pen and nib). Pelikan M1000s are just great writers overall.<br />
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If you'd like to know more about the pen you could check out <a href="http://thesebeautifulpens.blogspot.de/2014/12/mystery-pen-unveiled-pelikan-maki-e.html" target="_blank">my post from back then with more infos and photos</a>. MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-79413911256874881172015-08-20T19:53:00.000+02:002015-09-06T20:32:53.916+02:00To Feast One's Eyes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EQfWtSNexehTqndIrvYF94VqF2V77rc97fqiii-ORdIupNO4jk_soUeUwMNFkdwXOpmTVGiudpwZwDGHwuLdtFuJc6VegxpH-rTf6RjLFCdPXmSZO6DWViUhjOBQZld7ByHuV6pbiUQ/s1600/materials2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EQfWtSNexehTqndIrvYF94VqF2V77rc97fqiii-ORdIupNO4jk_soUeUwMNFkdwXOpmTVGiudpwZwDGHwuLdtFuJc6VegxpH-rTf6RjLFCdPXmSZO6DWViUhjOBQZld7ByHuV6pbiUQ/s640/materials2.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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The days are growing shorter, the nights chillier. All the kids have gone back to school. Fall is nearing.<br />
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What I loved about going back to school when I was a kid? Not too much obviously, but going to the paper store and getting a stack of new and shiny school things had a certain appeal. I was really untidy back then (in fact sometimes I still have a hard time tidying up) and the wonderfully smooth, clean and crisp covers of my composition notebooks never stayed that way for long.<br />
Every now and then my watercolor paint-box was so beat up I needed a new one and the rows of perfect, smooth and shiny paint pots were a marvel, made complete by a tiny tube of gouache. Each time I made a resolution to keep this one clean at all times. I even remember trying for a little while; cleaning the casing, wiping out the pots after mixing colors. I didn't manage for long though. Soon everything was back to normal: color all over the casing, the tube of gouache lost etc.<br />
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When I got another watercolor paint-box last year my approach had changed a bit. I had learned to appreciate signs of use and see their beauty. What has remained though is a love for color palettes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmaaO3uIeIk2uBCgD7MLvJxPX2lanLLrF6wUs9hkOoj8RRs8GiTRDK16jG5pfl_VE1QZqSaGJEa1JdaajjO4Z05sXQOWETvXJWqssreD647hO5KugMQMiYP4GAmM_bGNkLLrYpmQRrac/s1600/materials1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmaaO3uIeIk2uBCgD7MLvJxPX2lanLLrF6wUs9hkOoj8RRs8GiTRDK16jG5pfl_VE1QZqSaGJEa1JdaajjO4Z05sXQOWETvXJWqssreD647hO5KugMQMiYP4GAmM_bGNkLLrYpmQRrac/s640/materials1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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These are ribbon pagemarkers and end bands for bookbinding. The end bands go at the top and the bottom of the book block, near the spine. It makes the book look nicer and to a degree hides irregularities in the binding. </div>
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An eBay seller offered a selection of those in various color ranges. I love ideas like these, you can try all the colors but don't burden yourself with huge quantities. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgDoN4bI6XqJ0kVT72LUf8EuuqkJ2Cj4gmJPeMLijO4tgBAomqER0FIy84CKKrZLouV8K0Y7eoq18aruRqk7iczG86UzpnUCkhkEULCmN-2pxwl5bv2QFRKmSs6jOa8TTxOj2SCJcnJg/s1600/materials3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgDoN4bI6XqJ0kVT72LUf8EuuqkJ2Cj4gmJPeMLijO4tgBAomqER0FIy84CKKrZLouV8K0Y7eoq18aruRqk7iczG86UzpnUCkhkEULCmN-2pxwl5bv2QFRKmSs6jOa8TTxOj2SCJcnJg/s640/materials3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure if I'll ever use the fuchsia. Silver and white are no-brainers I guess.<br />
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Sometimes I just love organizing these things and getting ideas for projects to come. I cut some scrap cardboard into makeshift bobbins so I could store them neatly wrapped and sorted instead of stuffing them into a plastic bag.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWDpz6lmCsnsZJybXNVwEieLMIC1wtH8XE4YIYavY1RaOjydZfbDP5ObGfo-EEMFnFFRZ-7zjB1XVFXMUJLDgxsZF2wT6zL6kICBVlRiOr7EAZJ7vQJsSMams2SUMP8E4UCVhqnP55C0/s1600/materials4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWDpz6lmCsnsZJybXNVwEieLMIC1wtH8XE4YIYavY1RaOjydZfbDP5ObGfo-EEMFnFFRZ-7zjB1XVFXMUJLDgxsZF2wT6zL6kICBVlRiOr7EAZJ7vQJsSMams2SUMP8E4UCVhqnP55C0/s640/materials4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I should order more orange, it's almost gone.<br />
Also I need to use turquoise, petrol, white, cream... sheesh. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXYbPPkHATEINvzZB6Am3eFGcrTJVcyEXilABA6jje65MEnHfLlMUSF3NO0_nHBeIE9iHmgFPtN2f9KmmpDFr6L4rM9hbZ7I-UeaXUhHKC1yQrZLWZzVnTf3JYGzP3kFFlLvVo7U2fXY/s1600/materials6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXYbPPkHATEINvzZB6Am3eFGcrTJVcyEXilABA6jje65MEnHfLlMUSF3NO0_nHBeIE9iHmgFPtN2f9KmmpDFr6L4rM9hbZ7I-UeaXUhHKC1yQrZLWZzVnTf3JYGzP3kFFlLvVo7U2fXY/s640/materials6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also my bookbinding yarns were all over the place until this perfect glass jar showed up in the kitchen. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsFpRPwY0GAw3m_5nYY7ydYlOAuib4CUcO-_OIZFEEi054_b6MRKjZdMByTcP0LjLvgW13p3KyZ0S8QK4oOIizc8rcm8scHPsCqmukToTbFnaCVJeESWceQVKCq8vySRAUQn7g8oixBY/s1600/materials5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsFpRPwY0GAw3m_5nYY7ydYlOAuib4CUcO-_OIZFEEi054_b6MRKjZdMByTcP0LjLvgW13p3KyZ0S8QK4oOIizc8rcm8scHPsCqmukToTbFnaCVJeESWceQVKCq8vySRAUQn7g8oixBY/s640/materials5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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That orange yarn is one of my favorites for coptic binding. It's about 1 mm thick and very pleasant in looks and handling alike.<br />
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Do you like color palettes and do you like to organize your stuff? What exactly and why?MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-52701183409932024182015-08-16T10:17:00.000+02:002015-08-16T10:20:22.477+02:00Notebook Giveaway - The winners<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5Tp80RpSMZ6JfiAzW_WgIzTNdlfnzWjIS9UNHHhYKAj9xMWGqIvGextXYf5lyIN-ChMsYkYBPNCKeZ0esjujyIhwlm4D7SZN1039Oo1Vlwbkweqc0yrhK6Cd5COO2zinQS0UR_18IMk/s1600/bookbinding9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5Tp80RpSMZ6JfiAzW_WgIzTNdlfnzWjIS9UNHHhYKAj9xMWGqIvGextXYf5lyIN-ChMsYkYBPNCKeZ0esjujyIhwlm4D7SZN1039Oo1Vlwbkweqc0yrhK6Cd5COO2zinQS0UR_18IMk/s640/bookbinding9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for your interest in my giveaway! <br />
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For lack of competition the winners are clear:<br />
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<b>Verba Volant, Scripta Manent & Semikolon</b>: Gwen Beau<br />
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<b>Whitelines Lined:</b> drasir<br />
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<b>Italian leather journal:</b> Nomad60900<br />
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Some of you have already PMed me on other platforms. I don't have any contact data from Gwen Beau yet so please PM me on FPN, FPGeeks (elderberry) or Penexchange (Holunderbeere) or leave a comment (I know you have already but then removed it) as I will need your shipping data! <br />
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I will ship the notebooks next week and hope you'll all have lots of fun with them!<br />
<br />MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-80735076257961484712015-08-15T10:02:00.004+02:002015-09-06T20:32:59.814+02:00Paper love - A rose is a rose leather journal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Had weird weather for the last weekends, so much time for crafty stuff and here's a another notebook bound in camel brown calfskin. My first attempt at a full leather binding. With that book I hadn't started to pare down the leather near the corners so those look a little bulky. Also the spacing between spine and front/back cover should've been somewhat larger. I'm still OK with the overall result. It has a very rugged, solid feel to it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVTlVFJqR5DMg95gvud_mtBZ9VVcLcKFUcmAxLCtTaO2dXtNIqofGgTJz-5hP9V-o2szzQiOyyvOeCZryktIkJginhS2VO1NCCMuxWlp6sy1R_IADjVfQpSE3bqP_3dJgg-bBdIbfgxM/s1600/arose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVTlVFJqR5DMg95gvud_mtBZ9VVcLcKFUcmAxLCtTaO2dXtNIqofGgTJz-5hP9V-o2szzQiOyyvOeCZryktIkJginhS2VO1NCCMuxWlp6sy1R_IADjVfQpSE3bqP_3dJgg-bBdIbfgxM/s640/arose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I picked that postcard up at a small tattoo convention, it's advertisement for a Giessen tattoo parlor. Very nice design I think!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglutuF16ZOUwl8gMrfvpsrPu_2DqSzm89JMTGWwiNSZ2TVc__nVNoVnss-amSLEZtX5LsBwFBacHvjLmBRx_u2FbbsORLLwMHWizNsOUl1ytkTiDLfFyMiHqbhINKfq6jzt7NwbC5E3X4/s1600/arose2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglutuF16ZOUwl8gMrfvpsrPu_2DqSzm89JMTGWwiNSZ2TVc__nVNoVnss-amSLEZtX5LsBwFBacHvjLmBRx_u2FbbsORLLwMHWizNsOUl1ytkTiDLfFyMiHqbhINKfq6jzt7NwbC5E3X4/s640/arose2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The postcard sits in a slight indentation to give some protection from wear and tear.<br />
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A while back a bought a selection of end bands and ribbon bookmarks in all kinds of colors which was a really great find. I chose something in pale pink to match the roses.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrXbNHS7Z98HIQYrrq0N21HNkW4eslcNiB-emMcTHYJpr8kYb2-s7tAvI4OBVj8Wcdjiad2d-mVCTvaLLDpB5b3jM0EElD7h_7xEap1N-QQ2GS4w1zKYQsZDarqrj2SjOhQ0np_1pDvE/s1600/arose3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrXbNHS7Z98HIQYrrq0N21HNkW4eslcNiB-emMcTHYJpr8kYb2-s7tAvI4OBVj8Wcdjiad2d-mVCTvaLLDpB5b3jM0EElD7h_7xEap1N-QQ2GS4w1zKYQsZDarqrj2SjOhQ0np_1pDvE/s640/arose3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Goes well with the pink Caran d'Ache Leman!<br />
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Not much to say about the paper, ready made book block with 144 chamois blank pages, slight laid texture, very nice paper and overall quality. Just can't go wrong with those but they become a bit boring. Some books with handmade book blocks are coming up!MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-59179332003636163442015-08-09T17:30:00.002+02:002015-08-09T17:39:14.458+02:00These Beautiful Pens Notebook GiveawayI love paper and notebooks and I've bought a lot of them in the past. Now that I've started to bind my own books and choose exactly what paper and covers I'd like the time has come to admit that some of them will never get any use from me. I thought about giving them to goodwill but then giving them away via the blog might be much more fun!<br />
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So if you'd like to receive a free notebook, have a look at what's on offer.<br />
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All notebooks are in good condition, occasionally have been tested with fountain pens on one page. That page has been removed.<br />
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<b></b><br />
<b>from left to right:</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>
<b>Italian leather notebook:</b> dark red sheepskin cover with heraldic
embossing, cream lined pages., slightly smaller than A5 size, quite
thick. Very ink friendly.</li>
<li><b>Whitelines Lined</b>: A5 size. Did not work with my fountain pens.</li>
<li><b>Semikolon:</b> ca. 12 x 17 cm,
quite thick (2,5 cm), ribbon bookmarks, elastic closure, pocket in the
back cover, pencil loop with matching pencil. Lilac velours cover. Blank
cream paper with a a laid texture, Semikolon uses awesome paper
usually</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Verba volant, Scripta manent:</b> A5 size, coptic
binding & glue, filled with blank paper in white, grey, ochre, green
and blue. 160 pages. Ink friendliness not tested but paper feels nice.</li>
<li><b>Rannenberg & Friends "Kladde"</b>: cahier style A5 size notebook, blank pages. Not for fountain pens, feathers!</li>
<li><b>Christian Lacroix notebook</b>: ca. 12 x 17 cm, lined paper, ribbon bookmark and printed flyleaves, very smooth, coated. Works with most inks, others just won't stick to it, like writing on glossy paper.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Caution: Due to shipping cost I have to limit this giveaway to recipients within Germany! </b><br />
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If you would like to receive one of these books, just leave a comment and tell me what you like about this particular one! You can also choose more than one but please bear in mind that Büchersendung shipping should still be applicable. Especially the thicker books are rather heavy.<br />
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The giveaway will stay open until August 16th or til all notebooks are gone! MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-3760904808364954122015-08-08T10:30:00.000+02:002015-08-08T10:34:26.172+02:00A few lines a day - 5 Year DiariesI intended to publish this post way back in January when the timing would have been perfectly suited and also took the pictures back then but then I didn't get around to it - and I don't plan to wait another 4 months so here you are!<br />
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A few years back one of my friends told me about a 10 year diary she was keeping and I found the idea intriguing. If you haven't heard of these before: They're books with one page for each day of the year, the years are lined up underneath. That way whenever you make an entry you'll be reminded of what you were up to the year(s) before.<br />
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Then in spring 2013 I bought a tiny 5 year diary by Ice Plant at RSVP Berlin. (It was this one: <a href="https://rsvp-berlin.de/de/online-shop/5/kalender_und_planer/971/-Kalender-5-Jahres-Tagebuch-5-year-diary" target="_blank">https://rsvp-berlin.de/de/online-shop/5/kalender_und_planer/971/-Kalender-5-Jahres-Tagebuch-5-year-diary</a> ) I used it until 2015 but never got totally comfortable with it, A 6 size is just too tiny and the paper didn't like fountain pens much either. So despite the 5 years being far from over I got myself a "<b>Jahresweiser</b>".<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVryezPpKe0ZjdqmrA0ddgq9k-xe4VhNHhQerZpmhOWNwnpCZ7i6Y7rL82I_jTGIsctQb5QPRINsG47nwQBJTzJbTFzhfrjvoogSmKVRsJAJnYHGY6S9sXTKAVH7x0Uw8SbkwIvV2yss/s1600/5years4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVryezPpKe0ZjdqmrA0ddgq9k-xe4VhNHhQerZpmhOWNwnpCZ7i6Y7rL82I_jTGIsctQb5QPRINsG47nwQBJTzJbTFzhfrjvoogSmKVRsJAJnYHGY6S9sXTKAVH7x0Uw8SbkwIvV2yss/s640/5years4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jahresweiser in dark red leather</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That name is a little awkward even in German and would roughly translate to "year guide", though it also hints at growing wiser with the years. In contrast to the Ice Plant book it's a true calendar - in my case for the years 2015 through 2024 - and it also tells you what weekday it is and whether today's a public holiday. (So far it's only available in German though)<br />
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The differences don't end here, the Jahresweiser is also pretty large and heavy - somewhere between A5 and A4 -, bound in leather with gilded edges and features very smooth and ink friendly paper. It even comes with an extra sheet of paper to test with your pen.<br />
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It's definitely higher quality than the Ice Plant (more expensive too as it's hand made) and clearly made to keep at your desk rather than lug it around on your travels.<br />
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The only thing I don't love about it is the leather, it's okay but the finish is not to my liking. You can also buy a Jahresweiser without covers and bind it yourself and looking back that's probably what I should have done. Back then though I couldn't foresee that I would be able to tackle such a project!<br />
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You can get one at <a href="http://www.jahresweiser.de/" target="_blank">http://www.jahresweiser.de. </a>If you prefer cloth over leather you could check out Manufactum, they sell a custom version bound in grey bookcloth. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVd-51oqZYdPa5Ii_9n3uxVWJ8j1Qzr9Iw8xDGm48aTHiUo3NrFdJT6hd4uaUwC4LtNQk_yEypWcIezpp6Wasda6QxxpRq-vs928DDsvQiwokRkXzCIJU8F8i4H80lbcaNFGg2Ir2RY_0/s1600/5years3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVd-51oqZYdPa5Ii_9n3uxVWJ8j1Qzr9Iw8xDGm48aTHiUo3NrFdJT6hd4uaUwC4LtNQk_yEypWcIezpp6Wasda6QxxpRq-vs928DDsvQiwokRkXzCIJU8F8i4H80lbcaNFGg2Ir2RY_0/s640/5years3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice golden embossing. Can also be had in silver. There's also a cover in furnished wood.</td></tr>
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5 year diaries are perfect for people like me who just can't manage to journal every day. For me most things run in streaks and so does keeping a journal. At times I write pages and pages, then nothing for months. It's still a nice enough pastime but the documentary value is somewhat meager. With a 5 year diary you are neither able or obliged to write a lot about your day - there isn't much room - and I usually manage to jot down a few words so blank pages are few yet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jahresweiser from the inside: holidays and weekdays are visible at a glance. The paper is very smooth.</td></tr>
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If nothing in particular happened there's always dreams, books, movies, food or the weather. Weather milestones (first snow etc.) can be astonishingly interesting over the course of years. <br />
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By reading forums I found out about another type of 5 year diary and started one last winter along with the Jahresweiser: The "<b>Q&A a day</b>". The page setup is quite similar to a regular 5 year diary but every day asks you a question. They range from existential ("What makes you 'you'?") to trivial ("List 5 things you ate today") and plain weird ("Are you the original or the remix? Why?"). I'm far less disciplined with that one than with my regular 5 year diary but I'm still on it.<br />
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I also have to note the very nice design: embossed Kraft paper covers and gilded edges. The paper works really well with fountain pen ink.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paper is not as smooth as in the Jahresweiser but still very nice. Haven't had any bleed through or feathering since. I exclusively use Rohrer & Klingner Salix and a very wet pen for both journals.</td></tr>
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Do you keep a 5 or 10 year diary? If not, do you find the idea appealing? <br />
<br />MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-56641266013806728362015-08-05T15:48:00.001+02:002015-08-05T15:48:45.661+02:00Urushi in the atticI've had a few days off work and while I was mostly relaxing (I also visited a Hamam bath which was very interesting) and/or bookbinding one day I grabbed some pens and took them to the attic to take some pictures on those old wooden floor boards.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nakaya Portable Cigar tame-sukashi "a feather"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danitrio Mikado and Genkai. The Mikado has been in use for ages now and I clearly prefer it over the Genkai. Maybe because of the nib (the Mikado has a rather crisp 0.8 italic) or because it's slightly shorter?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCv-qlde051cK074ptMDCVOJlvWyRH_ZHSEPH3_zx0rhJSSIMyq2z8ep_DEEONJSiTOOs3zJIx_itETNqO0cj826lS60eOB9AzgP_EK2xKAS0mVT3wQCBfD4oaJNTm1HNe9LEb46FOjdg/s1600/attic2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCv-qlde051cK074ptMDCVOJlvWyRH_ZHSEPH3_zx0rhJSSIMyq2z8ep_DEEONJSiTOOs3zJIx_itETNqO0cj826lS60eOB9AzgP_EK2xKAS0mVT3wQCBfD4oaJNTm1HNe9LEb46FOjdg/s640/attic2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both somewhat wabi sabi.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaGKGyB-1iMt0eF9lxiJ9Nbut_wffPMM-OiJA7M9U_1EFBF4M1A3WSBHwscnELtyjNqu01UMiaMk8b0p2sGK-oNrsxIYOfAAQtPsfX_CJrQIvUdU2tqaeIgyZPvivwGPz6U7RCCewuP8/s1600/attic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaGKGyB-1iMt0eF9lxiJ9Nbut_wffPMM-OiJA7M9U_1EFBF4M1A3WSBHwscnELtyjNqu01UMiaMk8b0p2sGK-oNrsxIYOfAAQtPsfX_CJrQIvUdU2tqaeIgyZPvivwGPz6U7RCCewuP8/s640/attic3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... this one isn't my fault however! Nakaya Portable Writer "Negoro". </td></tr>
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MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-40320286686889791972015-08-01T10:48:00.002+02:002015-09-06T20:33:08.002+02:00Paper love - bookbindingHigh time for a post as I haven't been here in a while, I've had a rather stressful time at work and in my free time I've been playing The Witcher 3 (which I can fully recommend btw) - so less time for pen related things! However I've had some fun with a closely pen related hobby: bookbinding. One of these things (like making soap) I'd always wanted to try and after a few attempts I have to say making soap is somewhat easier! :D<br />
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I'm not showing the very first attempts as those are more than a little embarrassing but here are some recent ones (still very dilettante I'm afraid):<br />
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These rather neat looking specimen are made with ready made book blocks. I've only made and decorated the covers plus end bands and ribbon bookmarks. It took one failed attempt to work out the right measurements for front and back covers but after that it went pretty well.<br />
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The book blocks are really neat by the way, 144 chamois colored pages with a slight vergé texture and very fountain pen friendly (they also come with lines and grid). They come with end papers so all you need to do is glue them into place. If you are located in Germany I recommend the shop <a href="http://www.buch-kunst-papier.de/" target="_blank">Buch-Kunst-Papier</a>! They generally have a huge range of bookbinding and general paper goodness to browse.<br />
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However for me working with ready made components is not as satisfying since I haven't made the whole thing from scratch! So I've also done some coptic binding.<br />
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All these books are A5 size by the way as this is my favorite format for journalling.<br />
I've been fascinated by coptic bindings since I first saw them on FPN (in one of TMLee's threads I believe) as those books open completely flat. These are truly handmade books from folding and piercing the paper and decorating the covers to stitching the whole thing - including all the flaws.<br />
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There's still so much to learn, I've yet to produce the perfect coptic binding - one is wobbly, another one has irregular stitching, the third has a glue stain somewhere (in fact almost all of them have glue stains somewhere - I'm really not made for handling icky, sticky paper, also makes me remember my kindergarden days more vividly than I care for!) but whatever. It's still fun to experiment.<br />
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As boyfriend has been working with leather for quite a while (see the leather notebooks he's made for me) and we still have a rather large stockpile I've started experimenting with leather covers last week. I like leather for book covers as it's obviously more sturdy than book cloth and less prone to staining and the general grubbyness that comes with use - most varieties anyway. For this black and orange notebook - again with a ready made book block - I've used some scraps of kangaroo leather. It's amazing, super thin but firm with a super glossy surface.<br />
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It was only after taking the picture I'd noticed that the orange endband was missing - I've managed to fondle it in place by now!<br />
The cover is from a paper pack pad I found at TK Maxx called Steampunk Florals. These papers can be pretty great for bookbinding, especially for use as flyleaves and such, because they are quite sturdy. Also this one has a glossy surface which is pretty neat for a cover, especially combined with the high sheen leather.<br />
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This is my latest attempt in coptic binding: black horse leather, bright orange yarn and ribbon bookmark. I got this postcard with the leaf lady from a dear friend several years ago and have always love the motif. The postcard sits in a slight indentation which gives some protection from wear and tear.<br />
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My go to paper for bookbinding is the System Inkjet paper by Karstadt (I believe I've referenced it several times in the past) as it is a nice ivory color, fountain pen friendly, firm and smooth at 120gsm. Also it's inexpensive which is important as I'm experimenting all the time and need at least 30 sheets for a journal.<br />
For the leaf lady notebook I've printed a light grey 5 mm dot grid.<br />
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I love marbled paper and journals with marbled covers can be hard to come by or super expensive. However the papers per se aren't that pricey - especially when compared to Japanese Katazome - and I really like being able to use them to my heart's content. I believe the above is my favorite, especially together with the the dark red book cloth.<br />
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I've seen videos about how the marbled effect is achieved but I'm still no less than amazed by it. Maybe I'll try that myself some day too!<br />
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What have you been up to this summer? Is there any hobby stuff you've always wanted to do?MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-67034555711837779432015-03-31T16:54:00.000+02:002015-03-31T16:54:29.642+02:00This week's beautiful pens: Week 14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You probably all know these times in life when everything else is more important than your precious hobby. The last few months have been such a time for me, I've had amazing and challenging times and somes that were quite a bit of both. </div>
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However my pens have been awaiting my return patiently and they're ready for a new round of "Weekly Pens". It's weird but I've been having a hard time deciding which pens to ink - and then, which ink to use in them - so right now it's only five pens!</div>
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Also it's mostly the same pens I used last year already. Maybe that is partly because I find it difficult to choose new ones but they're also really good writers.</div>
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- <b>Danitrio Mikado</b> (IB) with Montblanc Corn Poppy Red: This one has been in rotation for months now. I've used it a little less for a while because it didn't work well with the inks I had chosen (Montblanc Meisterstück Diamond and Diamine Mediterranean Blue) but it works great with the Corn Poppy Red. It does need a fresh serving of silicone grease though, Corn Poppy seems to be quite runny in this respect.</div>
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- <b>ST Dupont Olympio M Alligator</b> (OM) with Herbin Gris Orage: This combination works really well. I love sparkly Gris Orage.</div>
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- <b>Pelikan M1000 Fantasia</b> (IBB) with Herbin Gris Orage: See above. Love this ink.</div>
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- <b>Ferrari da Varese Botticelli</b> (IB) with Rohrer & Klingner Blu Mare: spring is approaching, so it's time for some cheerful colors. Blu Mare is my go-to turquoise. It also flows quite well. I like the contrast: silver and mother of pearl, meet the Caribbean!</div>
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- <b>Sailor King of Pens</b> (B) with a Sailor blue-black cartridge: I traded for this one in December but then all this stuff came up and I still haven't found the time to really get acquainted with it. It has a nice, soft nib and seems to be a super reliable writer.</div>
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Time to fill up the two empty slots in the pen case until next week!</div>
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MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-46775798790483020042015-03-29T08:53:00.003+02:002015-03-29T08:53:39.480+02:00Mother of pearl eye candy by Ferrari da VareseSome eye candy for you! I recently sold one of my Botticellis and got another one with plain silver cap instead. Now those two could be twins.<br />
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The new one is nicely polished, its older sister has some lovely patina. I really can't decide which I like better.<br />
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They both have Bock B nibs, reground to italics. A bit on the heavy side but lovely writers.<br />
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<br />MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-82523383210010451322015-01-02T14:30:00.000+01:002015-01-02T14:30:47.577+01:00Happy New Year everyone! Also: time for a new diary.After having recovered from the New Year's Eve celebrations now is the time to prepare for going back to work and starting a new year. It's also the time to retire last year's diary (discard or keep - what's your approach?) and start the new one.<br />
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For me it's going to be my second Bomo Art diary as I've been really happy with<a href="http://thesebeautifulpens.blogspot.de/2013/11/next-years-diary-by-bomoart.html" target="_blank"> the one I used in 2014. </a><br />
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For the cover I chose the balloon motif again but with a dark green leather spine instead of the dark red I had last year.<br />
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The daily diary is A5 sized with a thick whiteish book block and ribbon bookmark. Like last year's specimen it feels like solid and durable work and indeed my old one has held up to daily use very well.<br />
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On the inside, besides one page for every day of the year there are all sorts of useful additions like international holidays, a register section for contacts and even a world map. For a closer look check <a href="http://thesebeautifulpens.blogspot.de/2013/11/next-years-diary-by-bomoart.html" target="_blank">my post about it from 2013</a>. <br />
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Like all Bomo products it has the "BomoArt Classic" embossing on the back cover.<br />
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Seen here with my currently favorite writer, a Danitrio Mikado! The balloons really don't get old for me. I've had them on last year's and this year's diary, a notebook and my kindle cover, all with different colored leather spines which seem to enhance different aspects of the design.<br />
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The paper is still very thin, my guess would be 60-70 g/m2 but amazingly ink friendly. For the smoke test I wrote a few lines with my Delta Dolce Vita medium with 1.1 steel italic nib which gushes like crazy since I've given the feed a good clean with dishwashing liquid (guess I didn't rinse it well enough) so even with dryish Rohrer & Klingner Salix there is a LOT of ink flow.<br />
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The picture was taken a few seconds after writing the words but as you can see the ink is still glistening. No feathering though.<br />
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Also no bleedthrough on the back side. Quite impressive! At work I mostly use pencils to jot down notes and appointments - quick and convenient - but also my fountain pens if I have time. No problems with the paper anyway!<br />
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That's the pen by the way! It came with a very dry 18 k fine nib which I didn't enjoy too much so I exchanged it for a Monteverde 1.1 steel italic and it's getting a lot more use now. The exchange was easy as the nib and feed pull out with very little force needed. <br />
The original nib was full rhodium plated so I like to think pen and nib still look nice together though a closer look will of course reveal that there's some frankenpen-ness going on here! <br />
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Which daily diary will you be using this year? Do you have an all time favorite you buy every year or do you like to experiment? Do you have a specific pen to use it with?<br />
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MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-59454925909679302212014-12-20T08:17:00.001+01:002014-12-20T08:18:16.364+01:00Belated birthday gifts - cute office animalsMy birthday is in April but when I got this voucher for an online shop full of nice gimmicks I just couldn't decide on what to get until now. Eventually I chose some items to enhance my rather boring workplace! <br />
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Like this paperclip holder. There's a little hole in the top of the dome through which you can shake the paperclips out while Mr. polar bear is watching over the rest!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCF55QbxoXizXAyEMzPElrYDPzuHDGjSX7p6n9cPM-yPffSEBj5SNaFRTa28mLY3G3naKaRZDEHN4ktPZ3x54-VSQ5wQlK0BtD33cQSVsTqgfri7G8c5gB4u6Q53OlKhN4iOuFCK4r54/s1600/Spitzer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCF55QbxoXizXAyEMzPElrYDPzuHDGjSX7p6n9cPM-yPffSEBj5SNaFRTa28mLY3G3naKaRZDEHN4ktPZ3x54-VSQ5wQlK0BtD33cQSVsTqgfri7G8c5gB4u6Q53OlKhN4iOuFCK4r54/s1600/Spitzer.jpg" height="514" width="640" /></a><br />
Also I got this pencil sharpener with the cutest little squirrel sitting on a log which actually puts the pencil shavings to some decorative purpose. Time to give all the pencils in my office a nice sharp point! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3RDx7koMIb1ZiRx7su4oRXkp-Ig6_c2OaeC5NCyGCNTPhytGQNhFfI0hPwgmeds-TIfVU_ciPzMM5U31GszVKXr3j53P-La0NOtDW6yIMnK97vrDJvgZFPRJAhNa_znQmdwWnWeiSuA/s1600/pencake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3RDx7koMIb1ZiRx7su4oRXkp-Ig6_c2OaeC5NCyGCNTPhytGQNhFfI0hPwgmeds-TIfVU_ciPzMM5U31GszVKXr3j53P-La0NOtDW6yIMnK97vrDJvgZFPRJAhNa_znQmdwWnWeiSuA/s1600/pencake.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pen cake" pen wrap with GvFC Classic pencil (ebony) and Kaweco Sport AL raw</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This last item, the "pen cake" pen wrap probably isn't going to be used in my office. Most of the slots are a little too narrow for my fountain pens and I'd be concerned they might scratch each other up.<br />
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Instead I'm thinking it could be quite nice for an on the fly arts set. It's quite large in diameter so it should also be suitable for long pencils. A pencil or two, maybe some inktense or watercolor pencils, a water brush. There's also this vintage Waterman I like to use for drawing which is rather slim and already has its share of scuffs and scratches.<br />
There's also a larger loop suitable for a rubber. The pen wrap closes with a snap-fastener and is washable.<br />
<br />MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-69067719634030453942014-12-16T18:44:00.000+01:002014-12-16T18:45:14.816+01:00This week's beautiful pens: Week 51Here's this week's somewhat belated but nonetheless beautiful pens!<br />
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As you can see there's still only slight changes, maybe because these 7 are really great writers. <br />
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Still inked:<br />
- the mystery pen aka <b>Pelikan M1000 Fantasia</b> (M nib), Noodler's Antietam<br />
- <b>Aurora Optima Nero Perla</b> (IB nib), Sailor Sakura: a beautiful pale pink ink I haven't used in ages. Looks beautiful on smooth cream paper though the color is a little light. Could probably use more ink flow to become more saturated and more easily readable.<br />
- <b>ST Dupont Olympio</b> Alligator (OM), Diamine Eclipse: I really like this oblique. It's really sensitive to angle but the line variation is amazing. Review coming up. <br />
- <b>Omas Ogiva Autumno</b> (M), Stipula Verde Muschiato.<br />
- <b>Danitrio Mikado</b> (0,8 italic), Noodler's Cayenne: As I've started a new journal this one is back in business as a journaling pen and I'm no longer experiencing any trouble with the ink flow. Hard to believe what a comfortable writer this huge pen is - you see how the M1000 is dwarfed by comparison.<br />
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New in rotation:<br />
- <b>Ferrari da Varese Botticelli</b> (B), Diamine Majestic Blue - that one took a short trip to Italy because of nib noise. I had bought the pen pre-owned and it had been bought a few years ago but Ferrari da Varese took care of it very quickly and free of charge. Thank you FdV!<br />
- a <b>Sailor King of Pen</b> resin (B), Sailor blue-black cartridge: I only traded for that pen last week. I had tried a KoP at a pen posse and was smitten by the nib immediately. Funny enough, the opportunity to own one presented itself in due course. Now I'm back to three Sailor pens (the other ones being smaller maki-e models) and the KoP nib truly is amazing.<br />
By the way the blue black ink in the cartridge looks totally different from my Sailor Jentle bottled blue-black, much lighter and petrol-ish. Can anyone confirm that?MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-74919687498235596922014-12-04T06:46:00.000+01:002014-12-10T10:34:53.234+01:00Mystery pen unveiled: Pelikan maki-e FantasiaThis week there's no "Weekly Pens" picture as there's been virtually no change since last week! Instead the mystery pen is being unveiled.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_OvA1n-V8WeTbcdcfvRNlKxuzramskEP6ejKV8TzL0iHFDHlX0fhyNFMIp19OpJhyKR43Iny8I0WAQ2Jq_js42R69jwWAn3IKFmSToNI-8O_0FaoDoZCcEMm0-VKQqq-ewGqDshLrEo/s1600/Fantasia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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It came in a golden cardboard box with a paulownia wood box and some papers inside. The kanji are unreadable to me but my guess would be they are spelling the name of the pen or maybe the workshop which made it? Maybe one of my readers knows?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NniU75Df_cOsnqManZd6KucRUtBYuk8J28LECPuBYzna27XVzrFJpYoWZF24AAhbQQe_YC0q1OWbGqX5Ns2FLkRodwlWrv44miqYX4yCTWlm8U6V9_Sml2wmhkQtQJ1WlTqkfcWttME/s1600/Fantasia3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NniU75Df_cOsnqManZd6KucRUtBYuk8J28LECPuBYzna27XVzrFJpYoWZF24AAhbQQe_YC0q1OWbGqX5Ns2FLkRodwlWrv44miqYX4yCTWlm8U6V9_Sml2wmhkQtQJ1WlTqkfcWttME/s1600/Fantasia3.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
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After opening the lid of the wooden box, the pen is safely nestled within folds of cream satin.<br />
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According to Pelikan the design is inspired by kimono patterns. On a backdrop of byakudan-nuri work - flakes of gold foil covered by lacquer - cherry blossoms and hexagons are painted in different colors of lacquer. Each hexagon is filled with a traditional Japanese motif. There is also amber (I think) and raden work.<br />
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There's one with the Asanoha pattern, gold on greeen with silver center points. I really like this pattern. Might get it tattooed one day. More eye candy following:<br />
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What really makes this pen special is the idea of a non black background. It's perfect, warm and vibrant without being overly colorful (YMMV).<br />
Right now there's a medium nib in it. Filled with Noodler's Antietam which seems to reflect the color of the reddish brown lacquer backdrop.<br />
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<br />MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-66833053022889493682014-12-01T09:33:00.002+01:002014-12-01T09:33:38.197+01:00This week's beautiful pens: Week 49<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week there's only a little bit of change in my pen lineup but at least a slightly better picture of it as I was able to use the DSLR instead of my phone. :D<br />
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Still inked:<br />
- <b>Omas Ogiva Autumno</b> (M nib), Stipula Verde Muschiato: This one started out really dry but after some tweaking it is now a really nice and extremely comfortable writer. I really like these springy newish style nibs - the ones on my old Paragon and Bibliotheque Nationale are much stiffer.<br />
- <b>Omas Ogiva Vintage</b> (stub), Diamine Red Dragon: Makes me wonder this one still hasn't run out of ink. The ink flow is impressive to say the least.<br />
- <b>Aurora Optima Nero Perla</b> (B italic nib): Flushed it since the Barck Royal Blue started to flow somewhat hesitantly, then forgot to re-ink. Not sure what ink to use in it, maybe Noodler's Cayenne to use it as a backup journaling pen or something entirely different - I still have this untouched bottle of Noodler's Walnut.<br />
- <b>Stipula Saturno </b>(0.9 italic), Damine Majestic Blue: Such a great pen and a nice color too (dark green/blueish ebonite) and a great writer too. Still I have hardly written a few words with it since I inked it up last week. Makes me wonder why.<br />
- the <b>mystery pen</b>. <br />
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New to the rotation: <br />
- <b>ST Dupont Olympio</b> L "Alligator" (OM nib), Diamine Eclipse: Last week I sold this pen's brother, a Shaman LE with the same nib grind. I figured I'd never have the two of them inked at the same time so one of them was bound to go. The shaft is covered with leather which I think really might be alligator - not really comfortable with that but at least I bought this one pre-owned.<br />
-<b> Danitrio Mikado</b> (0.8 italic), Noodler's Cayenne - an exception to the 6 pens rule as it's too large for the Visconti case! Used this one for my journal the last few days but it turns out it's not the perfect pen for it either. While it's neither too wet nor too dry per se the ink flow is stop and go which usually doesn't happen with this pen - must be the combination of pen and ink or ink and paper or alle of those. Hugely annoying. However meanwhile there's only about 20% of the journal left so I might not find the perfect combination before it's filled.MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-52168619873372951852014-11-30T16:04:00.002+01:002014-11-30T16:04:53.180+01:00Guess the mystery pen!As Christmas is coming closer and closer it's also the season for delightful secrecy!<br />
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So like in 2012 here's a detail shot of a mystery pen. Do you recognize it?<br />
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<br />MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4762723839403857883.post-50714151030334574522014-11-28T17:07:00.001+01:002014-11-28T17:11:08.417+01:00Celluloid goodness: Omas Ogiva Vintage <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last year I've started diving into the adventure that is Omas fountain pens with an <a href="http://thesebeautifulpens.blogspot.de/2013/09/celluloid-goodness-omas-extra-lucens.html" target="_blank">Extra Lucens</a>, an <a href="http://thesebeautifulpens.blogspot.de/2013/10/amazing-celluloid-omas-paragon-arco.html" target="_blank">old style Paragon</a> and a <a href="http://thesebeautifulpens.blogspot.de/2013/10/omas-beauty-ivory-and-bronze.html" target="_blank">Bibliotheque Nationale</a>.<br />
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At the end of 2013 Omas launched the Ogiva Vintage limited editions in arco brown or saft green. As I already had the Paragon in arco brown I went for the saft green. This one moved in with me in late spring already but only now I got around to taking photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4eQJahAubuGzxb0vh6JtrBYzV2zOglhS_D2zDN24BRaT6V0CXbRi1CzLy21HPfeXFGntsoWEV853GwMIpr3RvSsL7bnTyKh4XF5Rw3-RnpBOnHIbaDXXRaIYwFAC782hl3utKvIZ5FA/s1600/OgivaSaft1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4eQJahAubuGzxb0vh6JtrBYzV2zOglhS_D2zDN24BRaT6V0CXbRi1CzLy21HPfeXFGntsoWEV853GwMIpr3RvSsL7bnTyKh4XF5Rw3-RnpBOnHIbaDXXRaIYwFAC782hl3utKvIZ5FA/s1600/OgivaSaft1.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omas Ogiva Vintage in saft green </td></tr>
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It's a cigar shaped pen, rather large - larger in fact than a Pelikan M1000 but slightly slimmer - but lightweight as I've come to expect from Omas pens. It's 23 g capped and feather light 12 g uncapped but that doesn't make it feel flimsy and I just love the way it nestles in my hand when writing. <br />
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Interestingly enough, the Ogiva Vintage are a good deal longer than my most recent addition to the Omas flock, a somewhat older Ogiva Autumno, which is a good centimeter shorter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFoFJVca19Me5nLTJtRSg1OInQzETUOFerFuv5yqo4-qg_E71LAPJyByXj2O7qSax464tLVvnwOuTpjE99EWfFMud25soacO_WmDTcuggdoQv08lueenkxK8BRdkreMDuMlpNCmzvAIU/s1600/Ogiva+Saft2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFoFJVca19Me5nLTJtRSg1OInQzETUOFerFuv5yqo4-qg_E71LAPJyByXj2O7qSax464tLVvnwOuTpjE99EWfFMud25soacO_WmDTcuggdoQv08lueenkxK8BRdkreMDuMlpNCmzvAIU/s1600/Ogiva+Saft2.jpg" height="450" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ahh! The celluloid!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPVuiMaKA78CYZD8SNPNFD2H_y8wWhvDnunZ4b7_V2rG6GR-adrS7DnumO8b-uC4I0H_TMqIBHoL7MecjmkBht8M6Afpl_OwgfrWLSFaNXJA1iPHdTNB9bxznoxPPKxCeLhUczOMqzTg/s1600/Ogiva+Saft5.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPVuiMaKA78CYZD8SNPNFD2H_y8wWhvDnunZ4b7_V2rG6GR-adrS7DnumO8b-uC4I0H_TMqIBHoL7MecjmkBht8M6Afpl_OwgfrWLSFaNXJA1iPHdTNB9bxznoxPPKxCeLhUczOMqzTg/s1600/Ogiva+Saft5.jpg" height="598" width="640" /></a> <br />
It's a somewhat weird but very charming murky olive coler with lots of pearlescent hightlights. Clip, trimmings and also the nib are rosegold plated which goes really nicely together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC16y7AdcX_19pkDxvFfjZl1JFHIGG0V7qPr2pUEmEl_1xkxSEeTc9ndwjMdIj7WWJIPNtEijWwzHLfyUOfofABzOoMufDh_yNsOxrrWlzIhCPGLokQpkZW6x2zwTZrM5KipXGoTC4J6U/s1600/OgivaSaft3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC16y7AdcX_19pkDxvFfjZl1JFHIGG0V7qPr2pUEmEl_1xkxSEeTc9ndwjMdIj7WWJIPNtEijWwzHLfyUOfofABzOoMufDh_yNsOxrrWlzIhCPGLokQpkZW6x2zwTZrM5KipXGoTC4J6U/s1600/OgivaSaft3.jpg" height="514" width="640" /></a></div>
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The nib is a factory stub. Sadly this one already made a trip to Italy because the rose gold plating was flaking off. However Omas replaced the nib very quickly so I hope that this one will be fine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi71mubSUi0nggEL_NRSYWm5SskvL4deaW-iSM7spYVm1G9h2Njm2vu7AYGVv09Q8CQj9rHota08oUy-sVas6oHZxUXhY59Gc6r9xMPnmE9olaItDmwF5lA6iHH-sueEQc2LjDHSdSUag/s1600/OgivaSaft4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi71mubSUi0nggEL_NRSYWm5SskvL4deaW-iSM7spYVm1G9h2Njm2vu7AYGVv09Q8CQj9rHota08oUy-sVas6oHZxUXhY59Gc6r9xMPnmE9olaItDmwF5lA6iHH-sueEQc2LjDHSdSUag/s1600/OgivaSaft4.jpg" height="640" width="620" /></a></div>
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I'm also planning to show you the Autumno I've acquired recently and take a group shot of the two. As you can see I'm still right in the middle of the Omas adventure!MissElderberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00107509287496004722noreply@blogger.com0