Bored watercolours

There they sit, in a corner inside a cabinet, waiting to be used again.

But inspiration just won't come, she's been avoiding me for quite a while now.

I need her kind words to help keep me sane during times of stress, deadlines and "cannedsardined" commutes, of xmas campaigns, stupid giveaways and obtuse coworkers.

I think she decided to stay at warmer and quieter meadows.

Or it could simply be my notebook's paper water-unfriendly characteristics.




Originally uploaded by Onigiri-sama!

September ramblings

So, September already. How time flies (and not necessarily when you’re having fun)!

Over here in London the weather is already miserable and cold, winter already! Like a good friend pointed out: “Were we ever in summer?” He’s right, you know? We didn’t have summer this year.

And because of that in my mind I’ve been stuck in March/April. Which is why when I read on Philofaxy about some people already getting their calendars for next year, I thought  they were crazy, they wouldn’t find them yet! But of course, two minutes (maybe even two hours) later I realised we’re already on the second semester of the year.

The same thought hit me when I walked in to Paperchase two days ago on my lunch break. They had all sorts of diaries or planners, sprawled across their tables, tantalising with their beautiful layouts and the promise of leading an organised life once 01.01.2012 hits.

You and I both know it’s a lie. In my case at least. This year, due to change of work and interests and mindset, my calendar tracking has suffered tremendously.

Last year around November I started using another Filofax, besides my trusty Pocket, for work. The Personal Scanda would stay at the office and only hold work related stuff on its Quovadis inserts. But since that work was a stressful, never-stopping job, I also didn’t have time to set it up properly. I just used the WOTP. I would sometimes try to create a Notes section, but because I needed to have my calendar view at all times, it was just pointless. So, for all that note-taking (I am a scribbler at heart!) I turned to a spiral bound A5 Rhodia, a brand I love more and more every time. That too, would sleep in the office.

At home the situation was different. I was running my usual set up on the Rasberi, but I was also aching to use the cute A6, Week+Notes, 18-month diary from Moleskine. So, mid December I gave in and tried running that simultaneously with the Rasberi. Two days later I knew it was a fail, and I had to find another way of using the Mole I decided. To make matters worse, my cousin brought me the Midori Traveler from Japan. Such a thing of beauty!! In my head I felt something go –crack- . I was going to go crazy trying to figure out when and how to use such gorgeous notebook, with its undated calendars on such smooth, smooth paper.

So I just put it away in a drawer, waiting for the right moment.

During the first two months of the year, I sort of managed to keep my Rasberi and the Mole running at the same time. By March I had already quit the job I hated so much, and started preparing for moving house to an area we both enjoyed much more, a flat with even bigger space and better distribution.

This meant I could use the Rasberi again to its full potential and still have time to use the Mole.

Having so much time in my hands meant I could dedicate it to the things I enjoy (and that I can afford!), like stationery, painting, videogames, and trying new things, like knitting.

Since the Rasberi was more ‘fact-oriented’ I felt I needed a place where I could be creative, and not need a set frame or box to specific stuff. That is how I started using the Notebook. (I’ve already talked about it in here). This was a wonderful idea as I could use it wherever, whenever, and not worry about it getting dirty or anything. I could write grocery lists next to my watercolouring attempts and not feel I was ‘wasting’ paper. I even customised the cover without having a set idea, I just pasted stuff I felt like.

But in July I started working again, so I was left with little time to dedicate to both the Rasberi and the Mole. Even my usage of The Notebook became less frequent.

I have been carrying my Mini Fisnbury as my wallet, though, and it comes in quite handy for writing down quick appointments and reminders.

So, now September. My Notebook is almost full and I have already been thinking which replacement to use for it: an A5 QuoVadis Habana, which was kindly sent to me by Karen at Exaclair to try. Although my Notebook is squared, this one is lined, and I am a bit doubtful about how that will look when painting on it with my watercolours. I guess I will have to try nevertheless.

Then again, knowing how easily attracted I am by fancier notebooks, who knows if I'll stick with my decision. 

Hopefully,I shall be able to decide tonight.

Travel light

Tomorrow I am off to Spain for a few days and I am trying to travel as lightly as possible.

Considering that I haven't been using my Pocket Rasberi much, and concentrating more on my new Mini Green, she will be the only Filo I take with me this time.

So far so good, my euros and pounds are sorted, I have space for my two bank cards and my ID, and I have even stashed a few band aids (I tend to get blisters at the most inconvenient times!!).

The only thing I can't fit in there is my passport. Not even inside the wallet pocket (of course not, you silly kitten, it's a MINI, not a Pocket anymore!!). This makes me very sad. 

I will just have to be extra careful when I'm at the airport. 

Have a nice weekend all of you!!

May update: the notebook

The notebook is just a run of the mill type which I found at the first flat we lived in here. About two months ago, I was looking for an ordinary piece of paper to jot down a shopping list, and the only thing I found readily available was this notebook. After that I just left it in the kitchen for future reference.

Later that evening, I felt like doing some doodling, nothing serious, so I just grabbed the notebook while I watched TV.

A few weeks later, noticing that I was using it more often, I decided to practice my drawing in it. The first thing I did was cover up the hideous design (Tweety) it had on the hard covers with some kraft paper I had lying about.

Gradually I started using it not only for sketching, but also for writing lists of any sort and even watercolouring. 

My relationship with this notebook got serious when I trusted it with my MAIN TO DO LIST. I needed a place outside my filofax to write it, without thinking about the when and what of every task, more like a 'brain dump'.

And so I would get into the right mindset and little by little, take care of those pending tasks.  The list also began to grow as I would add new items as they came to my mind.

Two days ago, the space on the double spread ran out, so I had to relocate the undone items into a new list, which is also getting longer as I keep on adding more stuff to it.

The feeling of accomplishment I get whenever I look at my first list, with so many striked out tasks, is very rewarding and it motivates me to keep on track and not be lazy.

Even though I use different tools for it, my weapon of choice is my new Rhodia pencil.

May update: Moleskine 18 month weekly notebook

I started using the Moleskine just before the year's end, but only two weeks into it I put it down. Keeping up with my Filo and trying to use it at the same time, was time consuming, not to mention that the lack of space in the Mole wouldn't allow a complete switchover.

Nevertheless, I really liked it and tried to at least write one thing in it, maybe a thought or a note to myself on the page opposite to the calendar.

Gradually I noticed a few patterns emerging: on the top space above the calendar, I'd write a brief description of the week: "Rollercoaster hectic busy week" or "This has also been Problem Week!" Actually, on that particular week I had taken one day off work and was really glad I did, as it helped me unwind and see things from a different perspective. That is also when I started drawing, painting and glueing things on it.

 

And so it became an activity, to update it on the weekend, looking back at the week, write my thoughts down.

But I have avoided using it for appointments. That way it stays fun.

May update: Filofaxes

Filofaxes. Plural, as in two. My pocket Raspberry Finsbury (aka Rasberi), and my mini Urban. 

For a while I had been neglecting my Rasberi more and more in favour of my Moleskine. I thought the best was to simply stop using it. But I'd still find myself updating it weekly, because I missed the beautiful QV inserts and also because I didn't want to start using the Mole for my appointments yet.

So, my actual setup consists of W2P from QV and DPP. Notes, To Do and Financial are still in there, but inactive.

About a month ago, I decided I would go back to using one of my minis as a wallet, that way I get to leave the Rasberi at home and carry less weight. Inside it I carry a Week on One Page calendar, addresses and notes, as well as a Tube Map, not from Filofax, but from London Underground.
my writing instrument of choice is a small, aluminum mechanical pencil from MUJI (love!!).

May update

It has been a while without a proper update from my part; a lot has changed and honestly, I don't know where to start.

I could start yapping about the changes and the reasons behind them, but I thought I'd spare you the boredom, also this isn't the place for that.

So I will simply tell you about my current system/planner situation. Please take a seat, so you're sure you didn't misread the following.

I am using two Filofaxes, one Moleskine planner and one notebook. Simultaneously.

Three more posts will follow, in order to go more in depth into each one. Read on!

New Filofax Range

My thoughts on the new Filofax range.

Dull, tacky and incredibly overpriced!

not happy.

Fountain pen and the Cotton Cream...

Yesterday, while browsing the Flickr Philofaxy group, I noticed a discussion topic asking about the behaviour of the Cotton Cream refills from Filofax with fountain pen ink. Some readers said that it was good, while others (myself included) weren't too satisfied with it.

Well, it just so happens that last week, not knowing about this discussion, I decided to do a comparison of the QuoVadis Prestige, which I'm currently using in my Scanda, and the FF Cotton Cream, by trying out 4 fountain pens.

So, the arsenal I used was:

-Lamy Vista w/ Lamy blue ink, M nib

-Lamy Safari w/Lamy blue ink, M nib

-Parker Vector w/Quink in black, M nib

-Pilot Vpen (known as Varsity in the US), w/black ink, M nib

The page on the left is the QuoVadis Prestige, the one to the right the FF Cotton Cream, and above them, my pens.

On the left: the Vista and the Safari on the QV. As you can see, they don't show any feathering.

On the right: Both Lamys on the FFCC. The Vista is slightly thicker and the edges not as fine as in the QV, but it is hardly noticeable. The Safari is still quite thin and it seems darker.

On the left: the Parker and the Pilot on the QV. The Parker comes with a thicker nib than the Lamy, being a bit wet at times. But using Quink this shouldn't be a problem, as this ink is known for its fast-drying capabilities. There is no feathering. The Pilot on the other hand, has a very thin nib and is quite wet, taking a bit longer to dry. Still, no feathering, and the lines remain thin.

On the right: the Parker and the Pilot on the FFCC. The Parker's thick nib is more evident and the ink remained wet longer.The feathering is barely noticeable. The Pilot was very wet, and the line was also much thicker. Feathering was quite noticeable.

This is the backside of the QV. No bleedthrough whatsoever, even from the Pilot, which is the wettest pen I have and doesn't perform well on thin papers.

The reverse of the FFCC, on the other hand, tells a different story. Although the Lamys didn't bleed through at all (which is why that part isn't pictured), both the Parker and the Pilot do show through. Even using Quink! 

One other thing that I also noticed was that when I was writing on the FFCC, the paper would buckle sightly due to the wetness of the inks. This didn't happen with the QV. Nevertheless, by putting the paper under some weight, like keeping your binder closed, it will flatten out again.

In conclusion, although it is obvious that the QV is the clear winner here, the Cotton Cream only performed badly with the Parker and the Pilot. For those of you who plan on using a fountain pen, particularly the Lamy with its own ink, you should be fine. There won't be any feathering nor bleedthrough.

As for me, I fell in love with the QuoVadis paper the moment I tried out their planners!

Goodnight!

My Paperblanks collection

Last week I got lucky at the Paperblanks Planner giveaway on the Plannerisms blog and won the Black Moroccan Daily Planner. Laurie very kindly sent to it to me right after announcing the winners on her blog, so that made my week (which will forever be known in my book as Problem Week!)
Paperblanks is maybe* my favourite notebook brand. Not only are they beautifully decorated, but their quality is also impeccable! They are not cheap, mind you, but they are similar (the same in most shops) in price to the overrated Moleskines, and they surpass by far their quality!
To start, they are VERY fountain pen friendly. I have only tried a few ink+pen combinations (I only have those), but everytime the paper hasn’t buckled a bit. Even when I used markers, there hasn’t been any feathering nor bleed-through. My watercolours have been the only thing that have made the paper ‘bubble’ a bit, but that is perfectly normal for a paper not meant for them.
The colour of the paper is also a very beautiful, soft, off-white, which is whiter than the Mole’s, and more like the Rhodia’s Webbie.
I like these notebooks so much, that in only two years my collection has grown from one to eight!!

• 3 Journals in midi format, coptic binding, both lined and unlined: Used as personal journals, all full now. (the first one only appears in the second picture; the second one in none)
• 2 journals in mini format, smythe sewn, with magnetic closure and ribbon, lined+unlined: Used as personal journals, just started a week ago.
• 1 journal in ultra format, coptic binding, unlined: Used as my favourite sketchbook
• 1 journal in slim format, magnetic closure and ribbon, lined: Brand new, to be my next journal
• 1 Daily planner in midi format, smythe sewn with two ribbons and elastic closure: My Prize!! I am still trying to figure out what to use it for…

Unfortunately, I haven’t found any models with the coptic binding this year. I hope they’re not discontinued, as I really love them!
I have also noticed that in my midi coptic journals, the paper is slightly thicker than in the rest of the notebooks, including the coptic ultra. Could it be that they were from an older batch, and now they have changed the paper and the other one is discontinued?
* Paperblanks is sharing first place with Rhodia and Clairefontaine, so I can't really say which one I prefer over the other as they are different