How to write more handwritten notes. | It Starts With

How to write more handwritten notes. | It Starts With

Some nice tips on keeping all the tools you need at the ready, and start the habit, of dashing off a quick handwritten note. As one who has long has done this, and wishes he did it more, I can tell you how goos it feels to send off an unexpected handwritten expression to someone.

The Levenger Circa System — Tools and Toys

The Levenger Circa System — Tools and Toys

I know a project has become a Project — one that really matters — when it has a Circa to live in.

I wrote an essay about my years and years of using Levenger’s Circa system over at Tools & Toys. It was an honor and you should read it.

Three Questions With Lindsay Nelson — The Pen Addict

Three Questions With Lindsay Nelson — The Pen Addict

The name Hobonichi has infiltrated the stationery lexicon in the US over the last couple of years, much of that thanks to Lindsay Nelson. Lindsay works for Hobonichi, providing the Japanese to English translations that have allowed the brand to expand outside of its homeland

The Baron Fig Apprentice — A Brief Review

The pocket notebook space has exploded in options recently. Thanks in no small part to the interest that Moleskine ushered in with their original pocket sized book that Field Notes Brand then took to new nostalgic and less precious heights. Now, there is an ever increasing amount of options available to choose from. So, if you even want to be noticed — let alone compete — you need to either be very different or decidedly better.

It is with these two goals seemingly in mind that the folks at Baron Fig approached their new pocket notebook, The Apprentice. It is meant to be a portable companion to their popular Confidant notebook.

My first impression of the Apprentice is that it is very nice. It is clear from first glance that a lot of care and attention in the quality of materials used went into this. The cover has a subtle texture that makes it seem more luxurious and substantial that others in the space. The yellow sticked binding runs the full length of the spine. The paper is creamy and thick and takes fountain pen very well with little feathering and no bleed through (I got the blank page version). Another nice touch is the inclusion of 6 perforated pages in back. Nice if you have need to share a page with someone else.

I think that those coming from other pocket notebook brands will be a bit thrown by the size. The Apprentice is small by comparison. A full half inch shorter than Field Notes. In fact, it is almost exactly the same size as the Midori Traveler’s Notebook Journal Passport Size. This also meant that it fits perfectly in the leather cover that ships with that one. A nice hack if, like me, you like leather covers on your notebooks.

The Apprentice comes three to the pack for $9.00 — on par with others in the category. That said, I feel if one were to compare based on the quality of the materials and manufacturing these are a tremendous value at that price.

Overall, I’m impressed with what Baron Fig has pulled off here. They love making good notebooks and it shows in the products they offer. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

Mike Rohde’s Everyday Carry Gear — Tools and Toys

Mike Rohde’s Everyday Carry Gear — Tools and Toys

Want to know what the Sketchnote pioneer and all around good guy carries with him daily? Of course you do.

Draft Zero Wow. My kid asked if she could have… | kung fu grippe

Draft Zero | kung fu grippe.

Merlin’s first draft on paper on what would become his now famous post Inbox Zero. Click through to read the super cute story of how he came across it and what its future holds.

I Spoke About Going Paperless To A Paper Loving Audience And Survived

I Spoke About Going Paperless To A Paper Loving Audience And Survived

Thankfully, no one threw rare Japanese pens, artisanal notebooks, or staplers at me.

I actually really enjoyed Duncan’s talk. I even own and employ many of the practices and tools he mentioned (My wife and I love our ScanSnap and use it daily). For me, it’s not about loving paper and keeping it around. It’s about loving paper and only keeping the right paper around.

Three Questions With Shawn Blanc — The Pen Addict

Having a journal which is thick with crossed off action items and scribbled-down thoughts is proof that I am, in fact, showing up every day and getting to work. It’s proof for me alone. It’s my own reminder that today I am not in the same place I was yesterday.

via Three Questions With Shawn Blanc — The Pen Addict.

The Power of a Handwritten Letter | Pens! Paper! Pencils!

The Power of a Handwritten Letter | Pens! Paper! Pencils!

These days, no one ever expects the hand written letter. That’s what makes it so memorable when it is received.

InkTober

by Erik Mallinson

InkTober logo

It’s InkTober! Back in 2009 Jake Parker, a cartoonist, illustrator, and concept artist, wanted to brush up on his inking skills while developing good drawing habits. He created InkTober, a challenge to do one ink drawing a day and share them along throughout the month of October. Since then it’s been adopted by aspiring artists, everyday inkers, and other illustrators looking for a challenge.

The Rules

  1. Draw something with ink
  2. Post it to your blog, Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, or other site
  3. Tag it with the hashtag #inktober
  4. Repeat

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I’ve enjoyed the flexibility and lack of pressure that goes with InkTober. I’ve walked into this as an everyday inker, so drawing something isn’t the challenge for me. My goal for this month is to loosen up by practicing blind contour drawing and working with a big, inky, water brush.

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InkTober only requires you to use ink and share your work so don’t wait till next year. Start today!

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See what other people are posting with the #inktober hashtag on: Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, and Facebook.

Erik Mallinson is a Web Production Specialist at MIT OpenCourseWare who draws, takes sketchnotes, and writes music. He carries a notebook, fountain pen, watercolor set, and trusty p207 with him everywhere he goes. You can follow him on his blog and Twitter.