Sharing Love with Fountain Pens and Ink (Anniversary Fun)

This week my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary.  You may know my love of fountain pens and ink, but I am happy to say my husband has begun to dabble in the hobby.  For our anniversary, we both gave each other fountain pens and ink.  It was a fun surprise.

I always wanted a Lamy 2000 fountain pen, as I have heard lots of great things about them especially on SBRE Brown's and Goulet Pens website and YouTube channels.  The Lamy 2000 was first made in 1966 and that is the year of my birth, so that really made it special for me.  My husband loves Pilot Metropolitans and asked for a set (fountain pen and pencil). He already had a few of them and so far that is the only fountain pen he is interested in.  You may notice that I picked up a TWSBI USA this week. Lots of inky fun waiting for us to enjoy.

I decided to make my husband a card with a fountain pen theme to go with his gifts. I made a mask of a heart and stamped ink splatters inside for for the heart image.  The fountain pen stamp is by 100 Proof Press.  It was a hit and I was glad that I could merge my two hobbies of stamping and fountain pens.

After we use our pens and ink, I will share how they did!

May your fingers be inky, and your heart happy!

Fountain Pen Lover Birthday Card

Many of you know that I have a love of fountain pens, and use them to write to many pen pals.  I found out this week that one of my newest pen pals is celebrating a birthday this week, one day after mine.  I decided I wanted to make her a fountain pen themed card and had a fun time sorting through my stamps to come up with this card!

Supplies:
Stamps: Scrappy Happiness, Hero Arts, Picture Show
Ink: Archival Inks, Distress Markers
Paper: Gina K Designs
Misc.: Simon Says Stamp Curve Die, White Gel Pen, Spritzer Tool

I love when I can sift through my large collection of stamps and put various companies together on one card.

As a lover of fountain pens, I am accustom to random splatters of ink drops, and think it was a fun addition to the card.  I love the handwritten look of the sentiment by Scrappy Happiness.

I have a new fountain pen on my table today.  An early birthday gift to myself!  It is a Namiki Falcon that I have been wanting for a while, and hope to use it for some flex writing.  It is my first gold-nibbed pen, so it is rather exciting for me.

Wishing Emma a very Happy Birthday!

Until next time!

WOYWW #263 - Letter Writing Underway

Today is Wednesday and I am sharing what is on my work desk with you!  You will see a nice pile of letters patiently waiting a reply (about 20!).  I love how some of my pen pals make their own envelopes using old calendars and papers.  Such a treat to receive.  I love to make envelopes but the amount of letters really gives me little time.  So, as a card maker (and someone who has a ton of stamps), I decorate my envelopes using fun stamps. You will see a bunch on the desk as well.  I am using one of my favorite color fountain pen inks (Edelstein Jade).

Off to make a nice cup of tea and continue answering these letters!  I have been on vacation and taking classes and it is funny how they pile up!

Thank you, Julia, for the desk hopping fun!  Why don't you join in and share what you are working on? Visit Julia and play along, you will enjoy it!

Until next time!

WOYWW #257 - Pen Pal Letter Writing

Since today is Wednesday, I am sharing what is on my work desk with you!  Today you will not see much crafting going on, but rather something a bit different.  I am working on answering many pen pal letters I have received this week.  Many of you know that I love fountain pens, but you may not know that I LOVE writing letters as well as receiving them.  On my desk you will see a stack of letters I am answering, plenty of ink (wouldn't be Winnie's Inky Fingers without ink!) and plenty of pens.  You may also spot sealing wax, a blotter and even a metal seal.

Also on the desk are two of my latest additions to my massive stamp collection.  I came across these stamps made by Ana of The Well Appointed Desk and they are perfect for my letter writing!

Thank you to Julia for this fun desk hopping!  I look forward to seeing what others are working on today.

Do you enjoy letter writing?  Many are not writing any more with the electronic age as it is, but let me tell you, there is nothing like coming home to find a letter waiting for you from a lovely friend who you get to know a little at a time.  Why not pick up a pen and give it a go?

Until next time!

WOYWW #253 - Paper Galore

Today is Wednesday, so I am sharing what is on my work desk with you.  You will notice 3 large books sitting there.  They contain gift wrap with three different themes.  My friend Ruth had them and loved the beautiful papers in them and the stories behind each, but didn't have any use for them and wanted them to be used, so she thought of me. These gift wraps are so pretty. I know I am going to start cutting into them tomorrow as I have a few cards in mind already!

You may notice a stack of letters to be responded to alongside my stationery and fountain pens.  Sitting along the top of my desk is a stack of beautiful handmade papers a sweet pen pal sent me.  I plan to die cut them and make some cards with them after I get done admiring them.

Remember last week when I was in the process of making a card that incorporated a lizard, squirrel, cat and dog?  I thought I would share a quick shot of the finished card with you.  You know you have a lot of stamps when you have so many animals and have to decide "which squirrel do I want to use?"

Thank you to Julia for all the desk hopping fun!  I look forward to seeing what you are working on, and, if you haven't joined in the fun, I would suggest you pay Julia a visit and hop along.  So many lovely friends to make along the way!

Until next time!

Lots of Inky Fun This Weekend - Went To My First Pen Show!

Did you ever wonder what would happen if you lost television for one day? Well, near the end of last year we did lose our dish for one full day, and my husband has teased me about the aftermath ever since.  During those twenty-four hours I busied myself watching YouTube and stumbled on two fun fountain pen lovers channels (Goulet Pens, SBRE Brown).  I watched them and was fascinated.  I developed a love for these pens and the wonderful inks.   So this weekend my husband and I attended our first pen show (LI Pen Show) at Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island.  Well, it was so much fun and I learned a lot.  I thought I would share my adventure with you today.

It was not a large pen show, but perfect for a local, or someone who is a newbie like myself.  I was very glad I got to meet Lisa and Brian Anderson of Anderson Pens.  I have heard their podcasts, and have read great things about them.  Lisa helped me pick out inks and Brian helped with our pen and paper purchases.  I also picked up an amazing leather clutch case after asking for Lisa's opinion.  I can't recommend Anderson Pens enough, as they really are wonderful.

My haul:

As you can see, I picked up a lot of fun things! You may notice that there are also three sticks of sealing wax and a metal seal that is in the shape of a gear which reminded me of my Tim Holtz/steampunk gears. My husband came home and made me a box for my pens using an old tea box I had and this red lining we picked up at the fair. It turned out so nice and I love that he was able to recycle and reuse an old tea box.

Isn't it pretty?  This is going to look great on my work desk and keeps my pens at my fingertips.

I am so glad that I have discovered this new hobby.  I think it goes hand-in-hand with my card making hobby.

Tonight I will be loading up all my pens with my new inks, and can't wait to write some letters. I am having lots of fun writing letters to pen pals, too! Maybe I should turn off the TV more often?