My Current Notebook Lineup
My little A6 Chic Sparrow Traveler’s Notebook is bursting at the seams, mostly because I have 3 rather large notebooks in it, plus one insert that I have been meaning to use up for a while. My notebook use trend for quite a while was a handful of thinner inserts with a wide paper variety. Basically, a lot of different experiences that would keep me coming to the page. In the whirlwind of change this new year has brought me, I found that usual tactic not working. I’ve been trying to be flexible with my stationery tools and whatever inspires me at the moment. Thus, I decided to try a few different things which has settled me on my current lineup for now.
A6 Midori MD Grid
This was inspired by how much I was enjoying my A4 Midori MD Diary as my work planner. Midori MD paper has a cream color and the grid is overlaid in a blue ink that fades into the background while writing. There are a few dots and lines along the page in case I need to split it into columns or draw any lines. Midori MD tends to hold up well with most fountain pen inks, although I have experienced some inconsistencies within the notebooks at times with extremely wet inks. Even then, the feathering isn’t bad.
Taccia Black Jeans and Kaweco Art Sport Tiger’s Eye
I like how simple the design of the Midori MD notebooks are. There is minimal branding, simple cardstock covers that are just begging to be decorated with stickers, and ribbon for marking my place.
I am currently using this notebook for working on stories. I’ve been in a bit of a rut with my novel, so I’m hoping to crank out some short stories in March. I am taking a workshop to hopefully give my writing habit a kick in the pants (external deadlines can really help), and this will likely be where I draft. That is, unless I’m running up against the deadline and then I’ll be typing away at it.
A6 Insert The Onion Skin Journal
This is the notebook in this stash that didn’t know what it wanted to be. I’ve had this notebook for nearly 2 years and dabbled in it occasionally. The notebooks by The Onion Skin Journal are really a delight and the paper has its own quality, unlike some of my other airmail and onion skin papers in my collection. If I am sticking with a single ink color or not toying with pastels, I can actually write on both sides of the page and have it be readable.
Ferris Wheel Press Tumultuous Tides and Kaweco Liliput Fireblue
This notebook also has simple branding with the Ouroboros symbol on the cover (present on many of their notebooks) and the name, The Onion Skin Journal, on the back. The cover is sturdy and textured and the binding is sewn and hidden by the cover. I consider this a pretty deluxe notebook. They aren’t cheap, but they do feel quality.
I decided to use it as a daily notebook where I can write out thoughts and puzzle through different projects. I only have a few pages left, so soon it will be joining the notebook archive.
A6 Sterling Ink 260 page notebook
This notebook has been holding my stationery related writings for this blog. This notebook is just hitting the spot. It’s the thinner version of the Sterling Ink notebooks and feels substantial without being too big. The notebook is made with Tomoe River paper and has a grid ruling made of small, light gray dots. The grid has an interesting sizing at 3.7mm x 3.9mm, making them slightly rectangular. I end up using every other line because it keeps my handwriting from getting too cramped.
Colorverse Supernova
Like the other notebooks in this lineup, the notebook is simple with a black textured cover and the brand name on the back in gold lettering. The version I purchased also has gilded edges which adds to the fun in my opinion. I’m guessing that the Tomoe River paper is the Sanzen paper due to the slight texture, but I’m not minding the new paper.
A6 Sterling Ink Compact Full Year Common Planner
I talked about ordering this planner a few weeks back because the planner setup I started the year with wasn’t working for me. So far, I have really been enjoying being in this planner the last few weeks. It has monthly, weekly, and blank pages at the back for notes, and I intend to use them as journalling pages. I doubt they will last the rest of the year, but I’d rather fill them up as I fill up my weekly pages and monthly pages than leave them blank.
I always mark down what inks I am using on my weekly spreads so I can find them in the collection when they catch my attention again.
The one I have is called “Mist” with the gilded edges. The faux leather cover has a nice texture that is fun to hold and I’m still really enjoying the minimalistic design.
Currently Inked
Colorverse Sunspot - Kaweco Liliput Fireblue 14K M ‘journaller’ - This is a black that I haven’t used in ages, but somehow always think about when I am about to ink up a black. This is an OG Colorverse color that is a deep purple-leaning black with black sheen. I wish I wasn’t out of my Colorverse Black Hole ink… because I’d love to do a face-off comparison. A black with some frills to keep me on task.
Colorverse Purple Cosmo - Kaweco Liliput copper 14K M ‘selvedge’ - Moved this bright purple over to this pen and it’s just as much fun in the thinner nib, although with a bit less sheen than the Esterbrook B that I previously was using. The only pop of color that I’ve got this week. The rest of the ink palette is pretty monochrome.
Sailor Ink Studio 223 - Kaweco Art Sport Terrazzo M stub - I swapped this one out of my copper liliput and I’m enjoying it much more in this wetter nib (and despite them both being M nibs, this one is much wider). It shows off the character of this gray and allows for the multishading tones.
Taccia Black Jeans - Kaweco Art Sport Tiger’s Eye 14K B - Still a very fun black, but I’m thinking I am ready for a change in the next week, just need to write out half the cartridge fill and then can swap. I’m thinking of a brown or a yellow next for this pen.