Search the Community

Pink Roses Floral Stationery Portfolio I discovered this lovely stationery folio at Barnes & Noble this weekend. I couldn't resist the beautiful roses in pink and purple; so entirely perfect, as though they were made just for me. http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f8/a3/bc/f8a3bc5c40443c4920f9f1fc5cdf48a6.jpg This folio includes 10 cards and 10 envelopes. They are decorated with roses. Even the inside of the envelopes have the beautiful rose design on the inside. The folios were $9 each. http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c2/dd/59/c2dd5911191a3786dc3056fec033c9f9.jpg There were only two of these sets at my local B&N, and I had to get them both. I asked one of the clerks if they had these restocked often, and he confirmed my suspicions that they are unique and the stock is infrequent. http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6e/70/9f/6e709f8ef27cb4bf159a527100d00602.jpg I was so excited to bring them home and test it out, but at the same time knowing I only have 20, I also want to cherish them and to savor each precious card and envelope! I inked up my TWSBI Mini Rose Gold & White with a broad Pendleton Butter-Line-Stub with Mont Blanc Lavender Purple ink. I think the dark purple ink coordinates well to the darker colors in the rose design. http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/85/f0/34/85f0345e3cba7af006732ba830aacf24.jpg I wrote down verse one and verse three from an old hymn called "Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting." It is currently one of my favorite hymns and the words lift up my soul in beauty and peace! So I know the big question - Is it Fountain Pen Friendly? http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3c/3b/30/3c3b3048e35e0b30eb3c71e31f3add6c.jpg And the answer is YES! I did notice a tiny bit of feathering where the ink was laid down really wet, but I had just freshly inked my pen so there was a lot of ink in the feed - more than in an ordinary writing session. No bleed through, no show through. The paper is a bit thick, I am not sure of the weight as none is listed, but by my guess it is thicker than 32lb but not as thick as 65 lb. Again just my guess! The ink color looked absolutely gorgeous on the cream colored paper! Swoon worthy! I don't know if this would do well with something extreme like an Ahab flex, but for finer nibs/drier inks to moderately wet it appears fine from my one sample. As I use more through time and try different inks and nibs I will get a better feel for what this paper can handle. Here is the photo from the B&N website: http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9780641699634_p0_v2_s260x420.jpg Over all I am very well pleased! My only regret is that I may never be able to find it again. I did with some searching find it on the B&N website, although it is sold in stores only and all stores near me (within a 3 hour radius) are sold out. Here is the link to the product on B&N website: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/home-gift-pink-roses-floral-large-stationery-portfolio-s-10/12604445?ean=9780641699634&itm=1&usri=9780641699634 If I ever come across more of this gorgeousness I will definitely be indulging in purchasing more of it! Has anyone else tried any papers by the brand Kartos? The label also says San Lorenzo Italy. Please share your experiences and thoughts! And to leave us with a last image of those gorgeous roses... http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/cb/9e/c6/cb9ec6fc91109b4b441ea8cedb823e06.jpg

Hi all, Another review of under-the-radar stationery goodies: custom leather and half leather notebooks by BomoArt from Budapest, Hungary! I think I found them via another online shop carrying a small range of their products which looked very interesting, especially their notebooks They're combining a range of nostalgic/romantic/steam-punkish prints with leather spines of various colors to mix and match after your fancy (their web shop is pretty well made too!) Among others I picked this blank A5 notebook with dark brown leather spine and prints of a nostalgic aviary. The brand name is embossed at the back of every journal. Looks pretty classy. You can choose ruled or blank paper with various page counts. Each book has a ribbon bookmark and bright red end papers. Below you can see one of their thicker journals with 280 pages. Some of their motifs are quite kitschy for my taste but others are simply adorable like the balloons, the aviary or those roses. I love roses! I also ordered a small stationery box with 10 A4 sheets and 10 Din long envelopes. The box is a bit larger than the DL format - which is a pity because the A4 sheets come folded to fit into the box -, but beautifully made with some leather details. The envelopes are lined with the same balloon motif you can see on the box. The sheets are unprinted. The notebooks feel sturdy and well made. The covers are made of thick cardboard, the leather has a nice feel and isn't dyed to death. The paper doesn't disappoint either, it worked well with any ink and nib width I threw at it. (Especially that Danitrio and Diamine Asa Blue are a super wet killer combination) The blank books are A5 format whereas the lined ones are a little slimmer. Lines are light grey and unobtrusive. Beautiful products and at a rather low price point too (€17-20 for a half leather journal size A5). They also offer diaries, address books, giftwrap paper and all kinds of other papeterie stuff. I'm determined to get my daily diary for 2014 from them, probably with the balloon design. All books are handmade in Budapest and were made to my specifications. As usual no affiliation but a happy customer.

Am on the prowl for high quality stationary for special occasion correspondence that demands more than a note or card. Came across this product, which looks and sounds great, but I have to wonder if it is FP friendly? I assume that even if it is, no EF, F, or FM nibs allowed and a soft touch is a given, right? Any other recommendations? Thanks in advance! ~ Jack

Anyone have information on this supposed week long event starting Monday?

Hi all, Artyfect, an online art supplies shop with a modest line in Rhodia pads, is discounting heavily at the moment. I'd indulge but my paper cupboard is full to the burping-point. Therefore it's churlish not to share... http://www.artyfect.com (No affiliation etc) All the best, David H

I've searched around, and I don't seem to be coming up with good results on this question. I'd like to get an embossing machine to emboss a simple design and lettering on stationery, like a notary's embossing tool, but I'd also like for it to be strong enough to emboss a moderate-weight printmaking paper (~250 gsm). I don't know a lot about these machines -- are the embossing seals easily interchangeable, or are you stuck with the size of a given manufacturer? Any help would be appreciated.

I am going to go to Staples sometime this week. I noticed that they had notepads on sale. I have been writing letters to my friends, but have been using the Staples Accel notebooks. I don't want to use three hole punched paper for letters anymore. I find it very tacky and, even though I don't experience bleedthrough or feathering, I still usually only use one side especially when I want to use my Lamy Joy 1.1. Is there any heavy enough stock legal pads and decorative stationery that could be used with my Lamy Safari medium and a Lamy Joy 1.1 nib with Lamy black/blue/blue black/turquoise ink and a Kaweco Ice Sport with Diamine blue black ink? (Yes, I really like blue black ink.) Would I be better off just go ahead and purchase a Rhodia top staplebound/wirebound pad or Clairefontaine Triomphe?