notebookism

Web Find: Small Pens for Backpacking

Brian's Backpacking & Hiking Blog is chock-full of tips for those who love the outdoors. A recent post on small pens for note-taking on the road caught our interest:

"Recently I've started looking at options for carrying a small ballpoint or gel/roller pen instead of my small pencil.  I prefer the feel of writing with a pen than with a pencil and with the advancements in water-proof and fade-proof inks I am much more comfortable using an ink pen - I've lost whole note pads that were written with ink pens by getting them accidentally wet - bad experience.  The trouble is, pens are generally much bigger/longer than my cut down pencil and can't be shortened quite as easily...."

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(Thanks Johnny!)

Inspiration: Maira Kalman

At Design Sponge:

Maira Kalman's illustrations are as honest and idiosyncratically witty as they are wildly imaginative. Not only are her books delicious to look at it, her words draw on the well of emotions within us all. Reading a Maira Kalman book, visiting her phenomenal visual blog for the New York Times or stumbling upon one of her illustrations is like walking into a page of someone’s diary or scrapbook.

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Related, her new book: "And the pursuit of Happiness"

Blank Page # 140

Every Wednesday at Notebookism we open a "Blank Page" - your chance to ask, answer and discuss anything notebook-related. Keep it nice, keep it relevant. 

    

My special thanks to Myndology for the continued support and a big welcome to our new sponsors,  Leuchtturm1917 and Kikkerland.

Those who wish to enter our ongoing raffles, go here.

Selvedge Denim Field Notes Sleeve

What could be earth-friendlier than recycled denim?

The Selvedge Denim Field Notes Sleeve is 13.5oz White Oak raw selvedge Cone denim and measures 3.75" X 5.75" . Available with or without a pack of 3 notebooks.

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Related: Field Notes

Book: Fashion Designers' Sketchbooks

An interesting peek at drawings from some of the world's fashion celebrities and upcoming designers.

"Fashion Designers' Sketchbooks" by Hywel Davies explores the creative processes of contemporary fashion practitioners. For designers, sketchbooks are companions that capture and facilitate research, support design development and communicate new fashion ideas. Going beyond an instrument for drawing, sketchbooks secure a varied range of that inspires, fuels and transforms initial fashion ideas into final concepts..."

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Happy Days! From Leuchtturm1917 and Kikkerland

Got samples from Kikkerland (Thanks Laura!) and Leuchtturm1917 (Danke Philip!) Lots of notebooks and novelties with everyone to share in the coming days so stay tuned. 

Reviewers will start getting their items in the mail soon. And yes, we got all your letters, too! Thanks!

To be a reviewer, send me a link to your blog and a previous review for reference. Don't forget your mailing address!

Link tips and related articles can be emailed to us. Make sure your photos have captions.

Advertising, media and trade queries are welcome as well.  Our email is notebookism@gmail.com. I'm excited to hear from you. - ABF

 

Inspiration: Trainyard

The creator of trainyard, one of the best-selling games on the iPhone share the beginnings of his venture:

"One day, while sitting on the train as during my daily commute, the concept for a game involving trains filled with paint came into my head. I did a bunch of paper planning, and eventually coded up a quick Flash prototype nicknamed “PaintTrain”. It was awesome. I set to work making puzzles every day during my commute for the next few months, still thinking I was making a Flash game...."

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(Thanks Johnny!)

Mailbox: Quiver pen holders

The postman just delivered these samples sent by Bob Koch of Quiver.  Cursory inspection is very promising - thorough craftsmanship, quality leather and that unmistakable scent. It will now be be to our reviewers to give their verdicts. I'll be sending these out soon!

To join the reviewers' pool, send me a link to your blog and a previous review for reference. Don't forget your mailing address!

Advertising, media and trade queries are welcome as well.  Our email is notebookism@gmail.com. I'm excited to hear from you. - ABF

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Link love: The Pen Addict

I'd like to take time to thank our friends who have linked to Notebookism recently. Lots of inbound traffic coming from The Pen Addict. 

Also to: Rhodia Drive, iHanna, in viaggio col taccuino, Trains, Pens and Planners andthe Bible Design Blog. Thanks!

Congratulations to this weeks winner of our raffles: 

Monday, Oct. 11: Congratulations to Bhaskar S. in New Delhi. The next draw will be on Monday, October 18. Non-winners will be automatically included. If you still haven't entered, there's a few more chances left. GO HERE.

La Vie Graphite visits Walden Pond

"Between a welcome such as that received by Thoreau, by “the glassy smoothness of the sleeping lake,” and the embraces of loved ones, profound significance and meaning are added to our days. Places and experiences to be kept close to heart..."

You can almost hear the rustling of leaves.

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©2010 Photo by the author