My new baby!....

I can't believe I waited so long to try out a stub nib fountain pen!

Below are pictures of my new baby delivered this past Saturday, 9:25 am EST.  Mom and "baby" are doing more than fine.  The baby is thriving on a delicious diet of Diamine Syrah ink.

Louisville Nib Nerd Herd -- Autumn Quarterly Meeting Coming Up!

When: October 23, 2010 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Louisville Free Public Library Meeting Room (Highlands/Shelby Branch) / 1250 Bardstown Road / Louisville KY 40204 (in the Midcity Mall, lots of free parking).

Fun with Envelopes

So, inspired by a post from my friend's post at Simplicity Embellished, I recently purchased some envelope templates from Paper Source.  I had a pile of scrapbooking paper gathering dust (and I don't really scrapbook much) so I made envelopes which I know I will eventually use.

And. I. can't. stop. making. envelopes!  I'm addicted!  I have made probably 50-60 in the last week alone.  Now I just need to write 50-60 letters and send them off to my pen pals.

Some outwardly shimmery metallic with cream liners (there are templates for liners, too).

Some vintage and/or postal themes.  Most of these don't have liners since the reverse side of the scrapbook paper provides such an interesting contrast.

Some pastel colors and floral patterns.

Do You Have an Ink Swab Book?

My inner nib nerd would not be happy unless I tracked all the various inks I own (or sample when the secret society of local nib nerds meet) in a little handy booklet.  OK, we're not that secret.

Format: I do try to lump colors together if possible, although some days I don't know what inks I will meet -- or spill.  Chaos may ensue.  I use a small Clairefontaine cloth-bound journal (11 x 17 cm size).

When sampling, I use do a cotton swab for the larger ink splat.  In my imagination, I have enough fountain pens for all my inks.  In reality, I keep a glass dip pen around to do sample writing with the ink -- it's not the same as a fountain pen nib but will provide a good sense of how the ink appears on paper.

I also paste ink swab cards I get from Brian Goulet of Goulet Pens when I place orders through him.  Yes, um, lots of little paper samples....  No, no ink addiction here.  Move along, folks!  (No affiliation, just a happy customer).

So how do you track your inks -- favorite or otherwise?

Lily Garden

Louisville Nib Nerd Herd -- Next Quarterly Meeting!

When: July 17, 2010 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Louisville Free Public Library Meeting Room (Highlands/Shelby Branch) / 1250 Bardstown Road / Louisville KY 40204 (in the Midcity Mall, lots of free parking).

Hope to see you there!

Nib Nerd Herd

Attached are some pictures from our first meeting. Thanks to those who came and shared inks, stories, and tips!