tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86972015892319624742024-03-13T09:45:08.369+00:00The Crafty ScribeA Journey into Journalling. Musings about diary writing, scrapbooking and recording your life. Hits, tips, fabulous finds and personal frustrations on writing on your Scrapbook pages, diaries and additional ideas.The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.comBlogger383125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-5238437544267028132017-02-09T11:19:00.001+00:002017-02-09T11:22:40.189+00:00I interrupt normal scheduling for... Make Up!<h2><em>Dear Scribblers</em></h2><p dir="auto">On my recent holiday to Las Vegas and Hawaii, I was able to indulge in a little bit of shopping! Always a happy hop and squee moment.</p><p dir="auto">We no longer have Sephora in the UK - who is old enough to remember when it was here? <em><sound of crickets chripping></em> Only me then! We had a fabulous one nearby in Southampton. <em>Sigh!</em> Although I hear they might be dipping a toe back into the UK very soon. - so whenever I land in a country where the gorgeous black and white striped frontage lives, I make a bee-line straight for it. Or should I say, a bee-stung-lip-line for it - I wish! That's way I need the make up's.</p><p dir="auto">Talking of lips, one amazing set I picked up on my holiday haul was the <a href="http://m.sephora.com/product/P413248?icid2=skugrid&skuId=1859388" target="_blank" title="Sephora Favorites">Sephora Favorites</a> Give Me Some Lip and Liner set.</p><p dir="auto">I've already posted a photo of it on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a>, but because of the limited characters, I couldn't write the full product name in the comment. So I thought I'd add it here, along with a one sentence review for each. So, here goes:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgRjUYMnvwIXt9SOc61g86HhKdkKLbTNNxxC7z15vtPtcFn9IqQRyZk0VyKxS_ByFtiA2jhgD4ArmHqVJIFgrtB85MIiN5pW9EYrSc7RrfXimIjd2-nAImGfwNr53IRAvF0ip5jttoWY/?imgmax=9999" width="500" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="auto"><br>1. Laura Mercier lip pencil in <em>Naked</em>. Good natural colour, a little flaky. <br>2. Too Faced melted matte lipstick in <em>Sell Out</em>. Way to pale and drying for my liking.<br>3. YSL Rouge Pur Couture - <em>No 70 Le Nu</em>. Creamy, good for 'non-makeup' days. <br>4. Tarte cosmetics Tarteist lip crayon - <em>Mood Ring</em>. Decent deep red, a lip dry, fiddly to turn to get to more product. <br>5. Marc Jacobs enamored lip lacquer - <em>Pretty Thing</em>. Thick, sticky, almost clear, quite nice to use as a vaguely tinted lip balm. <br>6. Buxom full on lip cream - <em>Kir Royale</em>. My absolute favourite! Can wear it as a thin veil of colour, or load it for a darker stain. Lasted a lot longer on the lips than I expected. I like the slight tingle, some may not. <br>7. Benefit cosmetics They're Real Double the Lip - <em>Fuchsia Fever</em>. Their brand new lip range, pay off and double shade works well, as does the lip bullet. Hate the colour! Although see 12. <br>8. Make Up For Ever artist rouge - <em>M401 Mat</em>. Third favourite lip stick in the set. So rich, creamy, long wearing, and love the colour. <br>9. Nars velvet matt lip pencil - <em>Cruella</em>. Second favourite lipstick. So easy to use, great coverage in just one swipe. Gorgeous shade. <br>10. Stila stay all day lipstick- <em>Beso</em>. Pretty impressed with this. Intense colour, didn't fine it too drying. Need to wear it again for final decision. <br>11. Smashbox always sharp lip liner - <em>Crimson</em>. Best liner of the lot, creamy, easy to use, can be worn as colour on its own. <br>12. Estee Edit lip flip shade transformer - <em>02 Turn Down</em>. Quite cool to wear as a dark balm on its own, however meant to be used to tone down shades of other lipsticks. Tried it with horrid no. 7 ⬆️, and it made it more wearable for me. Needs practise to get the right thickness of coverage, better with a lip brush than from the bullet, but pat with a finger to get rid of brush streaks afterwards. <br>13. Ciate liquid velvet - <em>VooDoo</em>. Intense, gothic, very cool. Amazing coverage and colour. <br>14. Know cosmetics no bleeding lips lip liner. Clear liner to seal lip edge. I've tried a few like these in the past, this one is a little dry, but does the job.</p><p dir="auto">I hoped you enjoyed this little of something different. Do you have this set? Do you agree with my reviews? Is there any other colours from these lines you'd recommend? I'd love to hear your thoughts.</p><h2><em>Happy Scribing!</em></h2><p dir="auto"><em>... and make up'ing!</em></p><p dir="auto"><strong>Important Notes</strong><br>1. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)<br>2. If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my latest <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about.<br>3. If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends.<br>4. You can also follow me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Twitter">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> - <strong><em>@TheCraftyScribe</em></strong> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... <br>*42 = Life, The Universe and Everything!</p>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-78183490587456682232017-02-04T13:01:00.001+00:002017-02-04T13:03:44.846+00:00Happy Unexpected Crafting New Year! Aka The CHANEL Hassle. Part 2 of 2<h2><em>Dear Scribblers</em></h2><p dir="auto">Sorry for the delay. I'm finally starting to feel better. So, here it is... What happens when you have a <a href="http://www.louisvuitton.com" target="_blank" title="Louis Vuitton">Louis Vuitton</a> horizontal agenda insert that's too big for the medium agenda <a href="http://www.chanel.com" target="_blank" title="CHANEL">Chanel</a> cover? For the backstory of why I was in this position, please read Part 1. </p><p>I needed to get this:<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oKawCTXbd1GPiIFlCVFpoYaSrbiDaq_BRrAAD7mffVlGNu7HpYD_B5PNWQtYGgs4gKIOcXRozuM4BRAbRIVg997cNVmiXzZ77T9oFAUJqoGyS1Q4TpcQh92LPfPzy1cc_k63htVD98Q/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr">Into this:<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOxfoel6oZFEv96pdS-xUKLXdLMspbHXExXg9LQd9u0Auj7GiZWWa9key0hcjF_DPbI-7c10Id4jAGWJjRB2mrFAf2SRWe-3YPx63m2ryjhvsgIQHcHqjD5HEgpfB5JQMSFzCjqRqpDE/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>It only stuck out about 1cm or so, but it looked a mess. I had a few choices open to me. The first was to pinch the metal coils, which were causing the majority of the problem.</p><p dir="ltr">I could have used pliers, but I had the fabulous <a href="http://www.binditall.com/" target="_blank" title="Zutter Bind It All">Zutter Bind It All</a>. I put the agenda in place, and gently clamped down, tightening the coils. It helped, but it still hung over! Holy Zutter, Batman! I would have to cut it down.</p><p dir="ltr">I looked at cutting a bit off the bottom, but it would have clipped into the days, plus I would have lost the gorgeous silver paper edging, which matched the Chanel CC logo on the front of my agenda so I didn't want to lose that from the longest edge.</p><p dir="ltr">I knew exactly what I needed to do, that was to take the whole thing apart and take off the top edge.</p><p dir="ltr">I began removing the old coils, and then making sure the silver edges of all the pages were aligned, I then used bull-dog clips to hold them altogether for the next part of the process.</p><p dir="ltr">I decided to use my metal ruler and sharp craft knife to cut through the whole thing a little bit at a time. I had a paper trimmer and variety of scissors on standby, in case this first idea didn't work. I needn't have worried as working methodically through the pile, it didn't take very long to get it cut. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WokvZoOH0ccxyW_eGa7Cbn3umiqKoE5k3pYR-d7QA6WzSaW1iMTpaXRzcK1LTMRoJbG4NNfzC3br6dNYEWcihM84EUB-LK9jNFlihZZTKuXZvL1_ZtaXHFV2mGfsVi0XjNd8ZuW6gH8/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>I cut just below the original holes which made it a perfect guide for lining up the ruler. Any tiny wavers or slivers of paper left were easily dealt with using a nail file. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBxVhvW_nct_N3v41IcTNeFpNkLX4Xo_XkeaER72nvbGEuH0Sm2QHlhleB8yOU4bXC9AiDOzFTU37_WA0NrcQ5zhrbgyIXImGdNfdCqQsMkyzJuXuN1Xh4WriKZE16IXFGfJ3anZ6tdU/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>So now what? Now, I needed to make new holes to take the Bind It All coils (couldn't use the originals as the spacing didn't align.) I decided I didn't want to completely bind it with wires across the top, therefore I didn't need to punch holes all the way. I settled on 4 each end, but how to make sure I spaced them identically either side and all the way through the pile! I hadn't used the Zutter for a while, so it took a little figuring out. In fact, I found this the most difficult part of the whole process. <br>Here's what I came up with.<em> (If you have a better/simpler/quicker way, please let me know in the comments, as I'm always up for new tricks and tips.)<br></em><br>First, I took a scrap piece of card and punched out holes all the way across to make a guide. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuQ3kwygco9kAxOuJA9_ocHlR73HfRrKUqfQ1un6-0GjmeRiuxKnSOP-yKzWZRi9wHU_uhkmUcBW04jEacJfpdNy4jL1dJ25UY2baCHVUlr3IQiKUlhp9vIJBLZknDqpVo3o5y7SV6dg/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>I then put the card back into the Zutter, hooking a hole into the stop bar tab, so it held the card steady and in place, and counted 4 spaces in from the left (as you look down on the machine.) I made a mark between the 4th and 5th holes. I removed the card again, and drew a line down the sheet, making sure it landed half way between the two. This I hoped would be the correct placement to the edge of the page. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLKtaF4paKH0XF5cJx5OLoXCGJQfWjHXoSgevE7_34WtbwSNz-So0cKjp4w43RprAFcCC6xOONxFmjQslEGGv1Q8zFKrKeWmmNojMqfVOk6KtxtWKvrDMZ-NEqtHLkhvGDflD0hYrt4Q/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>Next came the test! I hooked the guide sheet back in place, and grabbed a piece of paper, lining it up against the guide line and punched out the holes...<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwxkbqSP_yrl3A5Bv6Ys7AnX9u-3EaSXNK1R2bd2fybcUEKBrB2J7BjlIB-IoQrRvc0FxNTgZuJdgH2qrD6QQ8f1YiqsNr-2JpdgnlKeu89EDcQdXT9VfxHHmJIJh8KQlPxbo7bBZdlo/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>And what did you know? It worked!<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJ87aymfQqNGxeMwdQrTi-qf_R9mcq2cDIz2G9WyHIzQXqrDIkpMH6Eus-axrf2McLTfY0CBjdfACQmJ867M568-jN7QwhLQJpfhyuauULUs1FkUmavbJjAkG3JR4vDKGxrSUHpUgYMI/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>I tried a few more times with scrap, just to make sure that I was confident with the alignment, and also to make sure I had a steady hand. It was now down to me to get the pages to line up with the ruled line I'd drawn, as long as I did that, all probability meant that it would work.</p><p dir="ltr">To begin with, I punched with just 4 or 5 pages at a time. I'd cut out the one side first, before flipping the sheets over to punch the other 4 holes, so that selection was complete. Then I moved onto the next few pages, and over, and over again. As I grew in confidence, I began adding a few extra sheets to the pile, which I finished in no time at all. Here it was at about the half way point. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAR2GgHih5-kw4Q26c1P9th8HZmMq5d23m3GF4Ds28I2ZkE4VetaOgEc4IxElyqx_CuKEt-YdSJfSNlMep6GlCha0PCWodapXgq4FK1gi2H35reYSEjwXS27iNhjxiJ_JhP90JGMTpYGA/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>Next on the agenda... <em>for the agenda!..</em> was to bind it all back up again. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJz-uUtqzJt9L5WZ7ScpN5TTd9x83wBMMArM4p3lpcAQHl2GirZ1Wm50TlrkZuB7I9xuuWSvGio9rfs5ryMvgUYF99zxy1MimvnSXNFrUTK4vBrxnHgrLRBv2vQaRw4tk1Wlb59Yp05Q/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>Problem was I only had fairly large coils, or 'O Wires' as Zutter call it, but I thought I'd give it a go.<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC212nd4ZbWkWapr6zOT8quZthgd_GETuiaU6z4Q0Y7NzRdSsEr-71l2XvJou2QTd2VSTL0nHD5D_qOzYFPQzYOzPm9S1sb3sddIWcXSYjjhniBU1JJd6tMTYTfWBYBYG5EjgNWp-IOWc/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>I cut the wires down to 4 loops each side, hooked them onto the pages and using the other part of the Bind It All, gently squeezed them into position. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TtoBr1fFGfkUAmbh4g6F0hyiLsYkKkJSuiiu7kLjpkD47UAzk5ZlLTxbKc_OR41Zk0_sDc7MeN1vIJ8dGxpjkI04eVFZAz-OGBssBpUsksL1ERNHMOadFwE_u2-ArNXTmret9raXwDk/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>Well. It looked the part, but - but, it still wasn't quite right! After all that, it didn't sit snug enough inside the cover. So disappointed. I knew it was all down to the ring size. They were far too large, plus I noticed they were pressing into the leather inside the cover. No good at all. Then I thought of a great interim idea. <strong><em>Cable ties!</em></strong></p><p dir="ltr">My hubby is a superb handyman with a well stocked tool case. 😜😆😂 He has cable ties (or tie wraps, depending where you come from) of all different sizes and colours. So I knabbed a few different ones to experiment with, and settled on using just 4 of these in the end. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMNbqcmSr9dnB0wfsQuqERjtQRd3vMX-D1BJiTrb6E7jNbXoE-gf10x_V4bjzGrXBeJdcuP1tkQQxT3d3mBb7S4bXkz2DMCk5bMUsS3lVrj_ZKV32risfrRJCO5IFbYY1TGL-6VddtYk/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>Any more than 2 either end was overkill, and I found that the more you add the more the movement of turning the pages are reduced, and I think they'd be more chance of ripping the paper that way. Trying only 1 cable tie each end made the agenda unstable.</p><p dir="ltr">As I said, these were/are only meant to be a stop gap before deciding on whether I'm going to change over smaller wires. However, after using the agenda for about 3 weeks I can say, I'm enjoying using it like this. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSthHzk7ihXvCEZeNQVT4s_MGut2US-XhSjWaGH1PNhq0XDhU9V7tNy9LcZBL4UbN3PnwX4MZHwh5lahdfBnb_r37IXd21Ndg2lpSjS22FzHjTXQN4gtcwnd6EJRPewmUllKCOICEOWI/" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>In fact, I don't notice the binding, and isn't that the best way? I'd notice it, if it wasn't working, if it was causing problems or I was fighting with it to turn the pages, but honestly I'm not.</p><p dir="ltr">It's probably not as perfect as using proper coils, but I don't think they are any less 'pretty', as the original metal wires can't be considered to look that attractive either.</p><p dir="ltr">What I'm doing is using the agenda, and generally enjoying using it. <strong><em>Has it been worth the hassle?</em></strong> Well, I would have preferred to have walked - or what did I originally say, '<em>entered with a skip in my step</em>' - into Chanel and bought the correct insert, which would have saved me a lot of time and effort. However, seeing as I've ended up with an attractive Louis Vuitton weekly planner in the same horizontal layout that now works and fits inside the Chanel medium agenda cover, so yes, I'd say that it was worth the hassle.</p><p dir="ltr"><strong><em>Has it all gone to plan?</em></strong> No! 🙀<br><strong><em>Am I now pleased with the outcome?</em></strong> A resounding yes! 😃👍<br><strong><em>Would I buy another Louis Vuitton agenda?</em></strong> Now, there's a question!!! <br>If you'd like an answer to that, please leave a comment here, or on the corresponding <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> picture. I'll follow up with a new post of a full review on the insert, including pen tests, along with further photos of how I'm making it work.</p><h2><em>Happy Scribing!</em></h2><p dir="ltr"><strong>Important Notes</strong><br>1. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)<br>2. If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my latest <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about.<br>3. If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends.<br>4. You can also follow me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Twitter">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> - <strong><em>@TheCraftyScribe</em></strong> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... <br>*42 = Life, The Universe and Everything!</p>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-15422630007941830902017-01-31T10:05:00.002+00:002017-01-31T10:07:58.741+00:00Delay in Part Two - my apologies!<h2><em>Dear Scribblers</em></h2><p><br></p><p dir="auto">I am so sorry, but due to illness, I'm afraid I won't be able to upload the part 2 instalment of Unexpected Crafting aka The Chanel Hassle today. TheCraftyScribe household has been hit with a norovirus-type bug, and it hasn't been pretty! Therefore, I haven't been in a fit state to write. Many apologies.</p><p dir="auto">Hopefully, I'll be back to normal by the end of the week, so keep your peepers peeled 👀 for Part 2 on Saturday. I aim to get it written and uploaded by then.</p><p dir="auto">Keep well and warm, my Scribbler friends.</p><h2><em>Happy Scribing!</em></h2>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-13627698075106709062017-01-27T14:16:00.017+00:002017-02-03T16:29:35.877+00:00Happy Unexpected Crafting New Year! Aka The CHANEL Hassle. Part 1 of 2<h2><em>Dear Scribblers</em></h2><h3>Happy 2017!</h3><p>Even though we are almost at the end of January, I'm sure I can still wish you glad tidings as it's the first time I've spoken to you this year, right? Plus, I never wished you a happy holidays. December flashed by due to organising presents, seeing family and friends and packing for our travels. Anyhoo, I hope you are having a spectacularly amazing new year.</p><p>Mine started off in an awesome never to be forgotten way by saying goodbye to 2016 in Las Vegas and then Hawaii - on the island of O'ahu. Then seeing 2017 whilst watching fireworks over Waikiki bay from our balcony. A photo showing the display can be found on my <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank">Instagram page - @TheCraftyScribe</a></p><p>We then stayed in Hawaii a further week, before stopping off in Las Vegas of a couple of days to break up the journey back to the UK. It was our second time on O'ahu, and our 4th time in 'Vegas, but hadn't been for just over 10 years, so it was great to experience them both again, to see changes and reconnect with old favourites, too.</p><p dir="ltr">However, since my return I've been battling jet lag, sinusitis and bronchitis (ah, the fun of air travel and the British weather!), plus playing catch up, and a sudden significant bereavement in my hubby's family, which has been devastating. He's lost his grandfather, there's lots of fantastic memories and love, but it's going to be difficult to realise that he is no longer with us. I've posting a photograph, along with a few words on my Instagram. So I hope you understand and can forgive the lack of posts.</p><h3>Why the Unexpected Crafting? I hear you ask!</h3><p dir="ltr">Last November, my hubby bought me a new-to-me <a href="http://www.chanel.com" target="_blank" title="CHANEL">CHANEL</a> medium agenda cover from <a href="http://www.fashionphile.com" target="_blank" title="Fashionphile">Fashionphile</a>, which I then bought the insert for from the Chanel Boutique in Bond St, London. This worked absolutely brilliantly as my week to view planner for the whole 2016.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzfLwvI67_RrN9Tx5yqnnhD3Mq9JsR75LwRaoTbCAK0t1rmpvEz65dt8LWCXo3BVPmF6bjbmuCP4fTnDPvZApOmoBbM29qAdGKSqY9mgCGsGf5CrZWTPY0J3vhnoGtEgUADRq_vBN8w4/?imgmax=9999" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>So here's where it gets crazy! I didn't buy my agenda refill for 2017 from Bond Street again, which with hindsight I really should have. Instead, I decided that I wanted to buy my insert from one of the many Chanel boutiques that I knew I'd be passing on my travels. In my mind, I pictured that it would make purchasing my new weekly planner even more 'special' and different from last year. As I said, I bought that from the Bond Street Boutique, on Christmas Eve 2015, as we spent the day getting a few little fun treats for each other, buying a tree decoration from <a href="https://www.fortnumandmason.com/" target="_blank" title="Fortnum and Mason">Fortnum and Mason</a>, strolling through Covent Garden (plus my first visit and buying stationery goodies from <a href="https://www.kikki-k.com" target="_blank" title="Kikki K">Kikki.K</a>) and stopping over and waking up Christmas morning at the <a href="http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/the-waldorf-hilton-london-LONWAHI/index.html?WT.mc_id=zELWAKN0EMEA1HI2DMH3LocalSearch4DGGenericx6LONWAHI" target="_blank" title="Waldorf Hotel">Waldorf Hotel</a>. Buying my Chanel 2016 planner insert became part of this fabulous memory, and it was the first events I added onto its pages. I expected to create new and wonderful memories when buying my 2017 insert.</p><p dir="ltr">I think you are probably guessing that that it didn't happen this way. Well, you're right! I really didn't expect it to go the way it did.</p><p dir="ltr">We arrived in Las Vegas on 26 December, and on 27th, we took a stroll into <a href="https://www.bellagio.com/en.html" target="_blank" title="The Bellagio">The Bellagio</a>. We'd been having a fabulous time, and we were in a great mood as we took in the sights and atmosphere. The Christmas baubles and decorations were beautiful, scarlet and gold gleaming everywhere. We trod the deep piled carpets leading us through the designer mall past <a href="http://uk.louisvuitton.com/eng-gb/homepage" target="_blank" title="Louis Vuitton">Louis Vuitton</a>, <a href="http://www.dior.com" target="_blank" title="Dior">Dior</a> and <a href="http://www.gucci.com" target="_blank" title="Gucci">Gucci</a>, but my radar was focused on Chanel. The Double C was insight!</p><p dir="ltr">I entered with a skip in my step. Okay, I admit I probably didn't look quite my best. I'd only got off a 13 hour air journey less than 24 hours previous and hadn't caught up on sleep and time zones, plus I was wearing minimal makeup as I was attempting to counteract the flight dehydration with good levels of serum and moisturiser (Chanel's in fact! La Lift, with an additional layer of <a href="http://m.bobbibrown.co.uk" target="_blank" title="Bobbie Brown">Bobbie Brown</a>'s serum underneath, which I've recently fallen in love with.) Along with holiday clothes, which seemed to be jet lagged from the flight as well, and no amount of ironing made them less depressed from being packed! At least, I should have got brownie points for the Chanel ballerina flats, right?</p><p dir="ltr">Anyway, I wore a big red lipstick grin <em>(I said minimal makeup, but not none! There's always got to be mascara, concealer and lipstick.)</em> My hubby and I approached the glass top counter, and noticed this really snooty bird-like woman give me that look up and down we've all experienced from a certain type of person. Her lips pursed even tighter into a beak and she slightly tapped at her plumage, a messy black bun right on top, which made me think she was carrying her nest on her head! I pushed on with a happy "Good Morning, I wonder whether you can help me." She pursed her beak even further with a quick bob of the thin neck, which meant to be a yes, but shrieked of, <em>I'd rather be serving someone I consider to be more worthy of my time. </em></p><p dir="ltr">I bought my agenda out of my bag, as I asked if they had the new year inserts. The Birdy Sales Assistant draw herself up to her full height and patted the side of her nest-bun again, whilst drumming pointed fingernails on the polished glass divide, as she told me that they hadn't received any new inserts that year, and as far she knew they were discontinuing them! Ending with a sneared sorry. She then turned around and walked away, without asking me if I needed any further assistance, or without saying a goodbye or at least waiting of me to leave. How rude!</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Now, I'm a proper grown up, over the age of 30 and everything! I've told you I didn't look quite as pulled together as I normally try to look, but I wasn't scruffy by any means. Even though she probably made many assumptions, there are no excuses for service like that. I've bought a number of items in designer stores and I have never been treated in that way. Even if they had had the inserts in, even for an item which is very much on the lower end of their price points, I would have asked to be assisted by another SA. It doesn't matter what you look like, all enquires deserve a decent level of respect and service. All I can say is tut-tut, Bellagio Chanel Bird-Nest Lady, you know who you are!</em></p><p dir="ltr">The next day, we popped into the Wynn to checking out their designer row. Through technicolor floral decored corridors, and once again past Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci and into the slick chic Chanel. No skip in my step today, just a determined, but trepidatious tread to be met with... What a totally different attitude! This SA was amazing. So kind, polite, great eye contact and interested in her customer. She said she was very sorry, but she thought that they didn't have it in stock, but she went off and checked, offering a seat while we waited. She returned to say, she'd called the other possibilities (boutiques and department store concessions) and no one was holding stock. Although they didn't think it was discontinued, so bird lady was wrong about that. Unfortunately, the same outcome, but at least, I left the boutique feeling like a valued customer.</p><p dir="ltr">I had one point of hope left. We were flying to O'ahu the following day and I knew that there was a Chanel boutique only a 5 minute walk from our hotel in Waikiki. I'd try there.</p><p dir="ltr">Oh, Hawaii! Aloha! Meaning love, affection, the positive in us all, the warmth in their greeting. They do not disappoint in their friendship and kindness. That's definitely what I experienced at Chanel. Here they had previously had a small amount of stock, but all were sold. He checked their other boutique at Ala Moana mall, only with the same story.</p><p dir="ltr">Isn't it interesting that one bad egg (or bird lady) in this case could have tainted my whole view of American Chanel boutique service, but because I carried on and took a deep breath to stride up to the next counter I found that it was only her. She was one of the arrogant people that you can come across in all walks of life. Or maybe, she was having a bad day? I think I'll send some positive thoughts and aloha out to her, just in case.</p><p dir="ltr">Now, I'm not one to give up, so I emailed the Chanel US head office to see if one of the other stores could send the insert to the Wynn Hotel boutique, for my return to Las Vegas the following week. Unfortunately, the only store left with stock in America was the other side of the country at Bal Harbour, Florida on the east coast, and they were unable (and I think understandably, unwilling) to send it cross-country.</p><p dir="ltr">So there I was out of luck and really out of time, as we were coming into 2017 and I didn't have my week to view diary. Don't worry about me (not that being without a planner is particularly <em>that</em> devastating, only frustrating. I'm sure other <em>Planner Addicts</em> understand), as last July, by some tremendous luck, I was able to buy my <u>unicorn of unicorn</u>'s... a brand new hardly - ever touched - still with the blue plastic protecting the gold cc logo and cardboard in the pockets/sleeves Chanel LARGE agenda cover (approx a bit bigger than A5) from <a href="http://www.vestiairecollective.com" target="_blank" title="Vestiaire Collective">Vestiaire</a>. Here it is with the medium cover:<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2ekjcrsf7W3AmBylQ2npdll1hg2nflZIzKz3_yACdbnM_ps6n4NpDZdK5EFMlCANB1_QeVPp-gdPOAyLraPUcvuOc9YbVC79UA5wPoCg_DT02COEgZJT0Ep02KCu5s3eXfOeDVSVEkU/?imgmax=9999" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>I can hear choirs of angels! As I thought I'd be putting in my happy little week to view into the medium. I wanted to use a day to view planner in here, so I could use it as part daily to do, a bit <a href="http://www.bulletjournal.com" target="_blank" title="bullet journal">bullet journal</a>, a little Dear Diary and a general catch all, which is how I like to work. Now, Chanel only do week to views, and, as you know, I've used the smaller daily <a href="http://www.smythson.com" target="_blank" title="Smythson">Smythson</a> for many years gone by. This year, I'm so happy I've been able to upgrade a size, and for my birthday in November, my hubby bought me the <a href="http://www.smythson.com/red-2017-cosmic-travel-diary-1017481.html?___SID=U" target="_blank" title="Smythson Cosmic Travel diary">Smythson Cosmic Travel diary</a> - day per page. It doesn't fit in the Chanel clip inside, as you'll notice in the photo, but it slips very happily into the back cover. It's perfect. I'll do a full review soon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg698Xv9p_HZrz4RJglS4TbC3IIuOHMNm_N817RfhYTiTcATcviiZwHV08IYltfxV2kDXeCHNDRx-i8nH2nWR3n4Om8Jp_e6rWEVh6IipCmaZHE2BrWoagqoCB78qT5wqvv2cyEaVZZxKc/?imgmax=9999" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p><br></p><h3>But What about the Unexpected Crafting, you Spoke about in the Title and What Seems Like Hours Ago? I hear you scream!</h3><p dir="ltr">Ah, that! So we're back to the medium agenda. I really need a week to view, and I thought about just bunging in any old thing, that didn't seem right. I wanted to treat my Chanel cover with respect.</p><p dir="ltr">Btw, I emailed Chanel UK and they said I needed to contact each Chanel store or concession individually. Which I didn't feel was particularly helpful, especially as I explained my situation and where I was. So I emailed Bond Street, who were a little more assisting. They were out of stock and didn't know if they were getting any more in. They tried another store for me, with the same result. All very doubtful. To be honest, I've sort of lost hope entirely with all these Chanel shenanigans! Who knew getting something as simple as a planner insert would be so difficult?! I can't believe that I've become so disappointed about a planner insert, and disheartened about Chanel! (Me? Say, think, breathe anything negative about Chanel?! I was <em><strong>that</strong></em> person who cried with overwhelming happiness when she bought her Chanel double flap bag, who was <em>still crying</em> in the restaurant afterwards and began crying again as she unboxed it later, and got her hubby to video the unboxing and this was before YouTube and the twinkle of an idea of unboxings even existed!!!) </p><p dir="ltr">It was at this point, I knew that I couldn't do anything more with Chanel directly. So now, it was all about alternatives. Like I said, I wanted something decent.</p><p dir="ltr">I thought about creating my own insert with high quality paper, but that seemed like too much work. (Ha! After all the effort I'd tried to get the proper insert, and the crafting that was to come...)</p><p dir="ltr">I knew that the <a href="http://www.smythson.com/black-2017-memoranda-diary-1017600.html" target="_blank" title="Smythson Memoranda diary">Smythson Memoranda diary</a> fits perfectly into the cover (hanging off the proper hooks without falling out and everything!) However, I was already using a Smythson in my large cover and wanted something different in this one. (Picky, I know. 🙄 This would have been easier and cheaper than what I went for.)</p><p dir="ltr">Then EUREKA! I knew what I wanted! I checked the measurements in the website, measured the inside of the medium cover. It seemed to work out to what I wanted. It would give me the same horizontal weekly layout I became used to in the Chanel insert.</p><p dir="ltr">By this time, we were back in Las Vegas, it was our last day, flying home to the UK the next morning. We were staying at <a href="https://www.caesars.com/caesars-palace?utm_campaign=GMB&utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_term=Caesars%20Palace%20Las%20Vegas%20Hotel%20and%20Casino&utm_content=hotel" target="_blank" title="Forum Shops">Caesar's Palace</a>, I knew that there was a store in the <a href="https://www.caesars.com/caesars-palace?utm_campaign=GMB&utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_term=Caesars%20Palace%20Las%20Vegas%20Hotel%20and%20Casino&utm_content=hotel" target="_blank" title="Forum Shops">Forum Shops</a> and I'd be able to drop by on my way to dinner. (To be honest, there was one of these stores in every shopping mall along The Strip, you couldn't throw a Casino Chip without hitting one.)***</p><p dir="ltr">My fingers, toes and eyes were all crossed as we entered Louis Vuitton and asked for their <a href="http://uk.louisvuitton.com/eng-gb/products/2017-horizontal-weekly-agenda-refill-–-diary-014849" target="_blank" title="horizontal layout agenda refill ">horizontal layout agenda refill</a>. Big smile from the SA. Yes, of course. No problem. No hassle. No stress. No need to go for counselling or mindfulness lessons afterwards. I was able to walk in, ask for, buy, and walk out with an agenda refill. All wrapped up in chic packaging, box and bag. Do you hear that, CHANEL? Do you?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcx7Lbv11GoOqAw9AyxJ_mjuo-ds_mxxjfGlz6pI5X1XylUeIwQ96q0A_Ri0S0MQa4_fstxUzY2XYTUY_gbS76okA-QSyW3XTHY5ZHlfqTcPUO5PUbklP2YcAspBT1fhqIz7O17hahW00/?imgmax=9999" width="450" style="max-width: 100%;"></div><p dir="ltr"><br>Off we went for our last evening in Las Vegas, and a fantastic meal at <a href="http://www.raosrestaurants.com/location_lv.html" target="_blank" title="Rao">Rao's</a>. Highly recommend food, service and atmosphere, if you're ever out that way.</p><h3>But what about the crafti... Yes, yes! I'm getting to it!</h3><p dir="ltr">Once back to the room, I took a quick Instagram pic, as you do! Before packing it away for the flight.</p><p dir="ltr">Once home, jet lagged, sinsuses bunged, I took it out of its box to admire the lovely little planner I had in my hands. And admire it, I did! I grabbed my Chanel cover took out last year's agenda and let Louis meet Coco... and Louis was too big!!!</p><p>How could this be? I measured it correctly, I was sure. Then I realised that the measurements on the LV website are the size of the pages, without the binding! And these coils were big. I could have left it here and just let the planner hang out the 1 cm or so, but I couldn't. It's not the way I'm made. Plus after all this faffing about, I was determined to get this wee bugger to fit.</p><p dir="ltr">Please come back on Tuesday to discover how I went about my journey of unexpected crafting (along with step by step photos) and see if I was successful or whether the whole thing ended up in the bin!</p><h2><em>Happy Scribing!</em></h2><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><em>P.S. *** I've checked... there are SEVEN Louis Vuitton stores on The Las Vegas Strip!!! That's got to be a record, hasn't it?<br><br></em></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><strong>Important Notes</strong><br>1. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)<br>2. If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my latest <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about.<br>3. If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends.<br>4. You can also follow me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Twitter">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> - <strong><em>@TheCraftyScribe</em></strong> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... <br>*42 = Life, The Universe and Everything!</p>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-57487642469960325132016-11-25T17:57:00.000+00:002016-11-25T18:01:01.482+00:00NaNoWriMo Day 25 - I'm a Winner! (Spoiler alert)<h3>
<b><i>Dear Scribblers</i></b></h3>
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I think you can guess from the title, but I'm a winner! I finished my novel with 55646 words!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXJ97ujiHqoqqIRJjjZPlUzSE4IXD05dOJFETU3oqNBQJgGmPTEaDwBqOa-y6LNoTITxdFWn0kDDYzgwlQkPEQwQt7wEzoiDsPg6Z6EPrDGslztL1fJgDU-0ULD9wp2arb2_QetR51jM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-25+at+17.39.17.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXJ97ujiHqoqqIRJjjZPlUzSE4IXD05dOJFETU3oqNBQJgGmPTEaDwBqOa-y6LNoTITxdFWn0kDDYzgwlQkPEQwQt7wEzoiDsPg6Z6EPrDGslztL1fJgDU-0ULD9wp2arb2_QetR51jM/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-25+at+17.39.17.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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My word count for my final three days was<br />
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Day 23 - 2047 words<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxu1ZxdHNnhUI2dZreKRtnv9RZLIAVlQWYQrD7RQA3TVnp4a6DhvibmcXeCDOUzoolr_HuEJr-evHKdZhqDw89BZpqcAp7646-mgxvsk87HNuF8_2OpmBWmTkfeRN3y1BIKsd3feyMqk/s1600/Day+23.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxu1ZxdHNnhUI2dZreKRtnv9RZLIAVlQWYQrD7RQA3TVnp4a6DhvibmcXeCDOUzoolr_HuEJr-evHKdZhqDw89BZpqcAp7646-mgxvsk87HNuF8_2OpmBWmTkfeRN3y1BIKsd3feyMqk/s400/Day+23.png" /></a><br />
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Day 24 - 2379 words<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O0A-VTmjgpm5SiTGOf8nfATWmagEZrpmujsyzdaKiG0ph0JiUzEDruII0OfeCEMDkZwAG-k8gsQxbeez8k56SGx3_7Vg_G8z_niUIlArKdK5-VGcDKAMJHTVpV6D-8taZNNPchjesmA/s1600/Day+24.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O0A-VTmjgpm5SiTGOf8nfATWmagEZrpmujsyzdaKiG0ph0JiUzEDruII0OfeCEMDkZwAG-k8gsQxbeez8k56SGx3_7Vg_G8z_niUIlArKdK5-VGcDKAMJHTVpV6D-8taZNNPchjesmA/s400/Day+24.png" /></a><br />
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and Day 25 - I pushed on through today, to finish the story with 3758 words<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhConHylpLjZQu98Dh9eFa_iPZwDsbk-54RM7hqhY6gl2sAgKNhr5tIatPvhUAgkvInasWVuK8kZx5NqD_hwmcYoFSUCngiUDhjhJ9Gk5VKiol0myesuPKwQbIVrjiUdgRerDWSae7ohPc/s1600/Day+25.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhConHylpLjZQu98Dh9eFa_iPZwDsbk-54RM7hqhY6gl2sAgKNhr5tIatPvhUAgkvInasWVuK8kZx5NqD_hwmcYoFSUCngiUDhjhJ9Gk5VKiol0myesuPKwQbIVrjiUdgRerDWSae7ohPc/s400/Day+25.png" /></a><br />
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So happy to be finished with 5 days to go. I'm going to leave this story alone for a month or so, before I go in and edit it.<br />
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I've used <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> to help me get into the habit of writing every day again, and I'm still going to carry on with this from now on, but at a lower word count than I've attempted to achieve this month. My aim was to try and hit 2000 words a day, and I achieved that most days, even thought I've enjoyed my writing sessions, it's been far too exhausting, even though I've paced myself, as I described in my last post, it has actually been quite tough to keep going. I think my regular word count aim from now on will be between 500 and 1000 words, depending on what I'm writing. Obviously, this will be a lot lower if I'm writing poetry. I think sometimes quality is more important than the quantity.<br />
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I'm so glad I entered the competition this year, I've proud of my achievements, and I've also learnt a lot about myself. Although I know that most of this month's writing may be trashed, I hope that there is something within that 25 days of writing that I can expand, edit and refine.<br />
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If you are still writing, keep on going, don't give up yet. It does matter if you don't hit the 50000 world finish line, it's about the fact you are actually writing something. If I can do this, anyone can! The most important thing is that you enjoy your experience.<br />
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Whatever you are doing, Live Life to the Full, Keep Writing and Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><i>Happy Scribing!</i></b></h3>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoVpKIVM3pOPhtrJaQ-I-z2Y-TI5lcd7wTeFBPtlZJXDXcC5URH5VCzhQkH4BcL74UVuJaGFGF9Pl_ednTshR9mtZnqdQvkOx2HPnl_WLqVkf9ar_EtKMqeezeOftM2168k8QYMpEhy4/s1600/NaNoWriMo_2016_WebBadge_Winner.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoVpKIVM3pOPhtrJaQ-I-z2Y-TI5lcd7wTeFBPtlZJXDXcC5URH5VCzhQkH4BcL74UVuJaGFGF9Pl_ednTshR9mtZnqdQvkOx2HPnl_WLqVkf9ar_EtKMqeezeOftM2168k8QYMpEhy4/s320/NaNoWriMo_2016_WebBadge_Winner.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>1</b><i>. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)<br />
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<b>2</b>. <i>If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my latest </i><a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe"><span style="color: #e4af0a;"><i>Instagram</i></span></a><i> photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about</i>. <br />
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<b>3</b>. <i>If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends</i>. <br />
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<b>4</b>. <i>You can also follow me on </i><a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheCraftyScribe"><span style="color: #e4af0a;"><i>Twitter</i></span></a><i> and </i><a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe"><span style="color: #e4af0a;"><i>Instagram</i></span></a><i> - </i><b>@TheCraftyScribe</b><i> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... <br />
*42 = Life, The Universe and Everything</i>!</div>
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<br />The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-17567994365895401322016-11-22T19:17:00.002+00:002016-11-22T19:34:28.755+00:00NaNoWriMo Day 22 - Seeing the First Draft through the Word Count, with Hints and Tips<h2>
<b><u>Update and Tips for Bad Days, Ill Days and The Invisible Bully (Writers Block) Days</u></b></h2>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<h3>
<b><i>Dear Scribblers - Hello!</i></b></h3>
<br />
How's your <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> experience? Are you still hanging on to that glider, buffeted by the tough high winds, flying high and enjoying the view, or have you decided to stay grounded?<br />
<br />
I must say, I'm so pleased that I've stuck with it. To carry on my metaphor, I'm no way an experienced pilot, most definitely still a novice. Some days, it's been so difficult, I haven't even wanted to get into the seat, touch those controls and start writing, and the thought of hitting my word count, seems as far away as the horizon. Whilst other days, my ideas have been the warm air currents that have lifted me up where I'm whooping with delight at the freedom it gives me.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<b><i><u>Want Help with Writers Block? WRITE away!</u></i></b></h4>
To anyone struggling, <b>just write</b>. Don't keep thinking about how many words you've got to hit or how far behind you are. I know. That's my problem! I spend more time wasting time and then, I've lost the day. I don't have trouble once my fingers are on the keyboard. My problem is getting there in the first place. It's the anxiety of the thought of writing, but once I begin, it's far more enjoyable than the time I've spent worrying about it. Before hand, I try and keep my mind off all the baggage that comes with writing, and if I do think about it, I try and focus just on the stories and ideas, but sometimes I try not to even think about that, as it will often bring it's negative invisible bully along with it... Writer's Block!<br />
<br />
Did you see what I called it? An invisible bully - it's the opposite of the invisible friend. It's not your playmate, and it's only as real as you make it. Remember, it doesn't exist. It will only appear to you if you let it, and you'll notice, it generally only makes an appearance when you aren't writing, only when you are thinking about it. The best way to overcome it? Write!<br />
<br />
The best way to start, is either, leave a sentence unfinished from your previous session, so you've got something to get you rolling. Another way of doing this, is just to repeat the last two sentences you wrote in your previous session, and that can help you pick up from where you left off. If you do have a complete blank sheet in front of you, don't stare at it. Whilst you are looking at the expanse before you, you aren't writing. What I do is, look away, either look at the keyboard, or if you are handwriting, look at the nib of your pen. Then write down the first sentence that comes into your head, and you'll see your fingers flying over the keyboard, or loop-the-looping over the page. Remember, it doesn't matter what you write - <b>WRITE NOW - EDIT LATER</b> - just keep producing those letters. Once you've removed those chocks from the wheels and cogs in your mind, you'll find that the breaks are off and after a while, the air will be beneath your wings, and you'll have lift off!<br />
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That's what I think <i>NaNoWriMo</i> is all about, you are a trainee pilot experimenting and creating pilot projects, and each day you'll learn to soar a little bit more.<br />
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<h4>
<b><i><u>Update</u></i></b></h4>
So here's how the last four days have gone for me:<br />
<br />
<b>Day 19</b> - 2232 words<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxO2uhpdtIGmgUtG-VsX87NG1fzXtzr28DCa9rKNC2EyqJrwMYlnLlpFka-iwjXWQdP7oE_wF53tlJHTVlAY_dcT4gfJI6P9-e6AllOWQM8xwQpv7ZBXhgpQ96UKs9_LwwSS_VewxpYI4/s1600/Day+19.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxO2uhpdtIGmgUtG-VsX87NG1fzXtzr28DCa9rKNC2EyqJrwMYlnLlpFka-iwjXWQdP7oE_wF53tlJHTVlAY_dcT4gfJI6P9-e6AllOWQM8xwQpv7ZBXhgpQ96UKs9_LwwSS_VewxpYI4/s400/Day+19.png" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>Day 20</b> - 2001<i> </i><br />
<i>(Well, after getting to day 20, I was a bit Spaced out, and it's all an Odyssey, isn't it?)</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5wOzgbe8ZYYZhlKfY7RtY-B2828zFaH_vp6RYyUXPfcb8SBTXdrcopal6tyDdIGkogr6XRNtMaRgwalFua-uemuCkp9fkL78QnIOPid8z6Rkfxygx8YQMg35aEzHbTCmX5W3rtPop4w/s1600/Day+20.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5wOzgbe8ZYYZhlKfY7RtY-B2828zFaH_vp6RYyUXPfcb8SBTXdrcopal6tyDdIGkogr6XRNtMaRgwalFua-uemuCkp9fkL78QnIOPid8z6Rkfxygx8YQMg35aEzHbTCmX5W3rtPop4w/s400/Day+20.png" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>Day 21/22</b> - 5537<br />
(Joined the two days together, as it was a piece of the story, I wanted to keep as a whole.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tqWi6W4SvMbquWsX7ABzyocjITn9plEyP9HPnQ5dXa0kknBaO0XZM7SLvsYpO0QzM3S4TddZn1q78D1PfNJN2M7BKp8EuIXie0lQRP4zjz8L69EM1WiLrFw97TKlspdPvkr2mEv31mA/s1600/Day+21%253A22.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tqWi6W4SvMbquWsX7ABzyocjITn9plEyP9HPnQ5dXa0kknBaO0XZM7SLvsYpO0QzM3S4TddZn1q78D1PfNJN2M7BKp8EuIXie0lQRP4zjz8L69EM1WiLrFw97TKlspdPvkr2mEv31mA/s400/Day+21%253A22.png" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
I actually had wanted to write in a more focused way on Sunday, but didn't find a long enough block of time in the day. Instead, I wrote whenever I found a chunk of time, be it 10 mins or if I was luck, an hour. I don't especially like writing like this, but I find the word count increases quicker than you expect. There's lots of stopping and starting, but I find, if I use the trick of leaving part of a sentence half finished or rewriting the last sentence or two, it's quite easy (well, it does become easier) to carry on and write your next paragraph or so, depending on how much time you have.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<b><i><u>What to Do on Poorly Days - On Your Marks... Get Set... Pace!</u></i></b></h4>
I write like this on the days when I'm not feeling too well, in pain or tired. I'll set myself a timer, usually 10 or 15 minutes, get myself into a comfy spot and write. If I find, I can't focus for that long, I don't beat myself up, I just stop the timer early. If I find I'm coping well, I may increase the timer to 20 minutes for the next session. I may do this once every hour, giving myself time to rest. Pacing like this, means that I can write and get my word count rising throughout the day without over exerting myself. It will tire me, but at least I have control over my actions.<br />
<br />
Times that have worked for me in the past are:<br />
<b>10 minutes</b> writing every 1 hour (10 minutes to 50 mins rest). If you stuck to this during a day, in 5 hours, it add up to 50 minutes worth of writing time.<br />
<b>10 minutes</b> writing every 30 minutes (10 mins writing to 20 mins rest). This can also be blocked as <b>20 minutes</b> writing every hour (20 to 40 minutes). In 5 hours, both produce 1 hour 40 minutes of writing.<br />
<b>15 minutes </b>writing in every hour (15 mins writing & 45 minutes rest) or every 45 minutes (15 mins writing & 30 minutes rest). 5 hours = either 1 hour 45 mins or 1 hour 15 mins.<br />
If you have a little more energy, <b>20 minutes</b> writing then 20 minutes rest, will give you 2 hours 40 minutes worth of writing during 5 hours.<br />
<br />
Of course, you can alter this as you go along, checking the writing and rest times, and shortening or lengthening the amount of hours you'll include. It's an interesting to chart your progress as well, keeping a note in your journal to map your daily writing input. I've often made a note of time spent writing, along with word count, health and mood. You can definitely see the correlation between them all. Good days equals high word count of a better quality. Even the weather can be a factor!<br />
<br />
They'll also be days when writing will just not happen, when this happens, don't panic or beat yourself up. It's just a small section of time that you can't write, focus on something else. Enjoy what you can do, instead of worrying about what you can't. In fact, even on some horrid days, a story idea or a gleam of a sentence will pop into my mind.<br />
<br />
If you, can't face, or aren't able to pick up a pen, or switch on the computer, there are other ways of capturing your thought. When I've really struggled, I've still had my iPhone beside me, and I can either tap that idea into <a href="http://www.apple.com/uk/ios/ios-10/" target="_blank">notes</a>, <a href="http://www.apple.com/uk/pages/" target="_blank">Pages</a> or the <a href="https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php" target="_blank">Scrivener</a> app.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfT1I92p8NM_BhEMB5rC7P5qTZqDpcMHFM2lGSZjF5fbKOTs_9VHI5rvlAHdc71xVijsLzrMqIJyh4OVe8ntugJJsQ2g0YwNjLXmYG-ESNmMB-Sc-K25CWNjZ_3Wfc-lZH-hqdXQBJTs/s200/FullSizeRender.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding Ideas to Notes on the iPhone, <br />
either type or dictate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg1LiLReb85s8e_GWoVi26_LXZH9wPUpU7RuVYwZUhvQbpUg2r9lA4n9JsI9aYJIvX-HeuvRb0KWE0-1r489I91qWuPB-JR2MN71hO4OkvLKyBABExP8SVGrXcdWjneUeKiYc4fznzmY/s1600/FullSizeRender+Scr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg1LiLReb85s8e_GWoVi26_LXZH9wPUpU7RuVYwZUhvQbpUg2r9lA4n9JsI9aYJIvX-HeuvRb0KWE0-1r489I91qWuPB-JR2MN71hO4OkvLKyBABExP8SVGrXcdWjneUeKiYc4fznzmY/s200/FullSizeRender+Scr.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Type & dictate in the iPhone<br />
Scrivener App</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If I can't focus on using the keyboard, I've either asked <a href="http://www.apple.com/uk/ios/siri/" target="_blank">Siri</a> to write a <i>note</i> or <i>reminder</i>, or I've used the little microphone button to <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202584" target="_blank">dictate</a> the sentence into one of the apps for me. I've also kept a <i>voice memo</i>s of various story ideas, and even recorded myself a quick <i>video</i>, so I can <i>literally</i> remind myself later! There's plenty of ways to write, without actually writing.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJQQ-jw5eCQeOKHb7b_DF5oTFaJ0lc3u1MtRQpw-GoqZTSzrWmUUcySsNhae5FZbF1LNIZWUBD8T6NJsp3KtuQWBPvNkH_dVF897IvzVIqYlv_ryVAsWSED_DNHmondvJOjax_rtDRcU/s1600/Siri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJQQ-jw5eCQeOKHb7b_DF5oTFaJ0lc3u1MtRQpw-GoqZTSzrWmUUcySsNhae5FZbF1LNIZWUBD8T6NJsp3KtuQWBPvNkH_dVF897IvzVIqYlv_ryVAsWSED_DNHmondvJOjax_rtDRcU/s320/Siri.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siri on the iPhone can add to <br />
notes and reminders for you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwak4eI3yNtMp5qiXwsYb1EQ9qKH29c5LzGxrZPXd2lgf0NQoJoakUd9W8_I3rDOa-S1_r1yQTc6s0xAPQVgPFPv-7DId7agmF2Gj__wX97R7zYp_xsteYi_6STiINA9D1qgPCXqx39Fc/s1600/FullSizeRender+sound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwak4eI3yNtMp5qiXwsYb1EQ9qKH29c5LzGxrZPXd2lgf0NQoJoakUd9W8_I3rDOa-S1_r1yQTc6s0xAPQVgPFPv-7DId7agmF2Gj__wX97R7zYp_xsteYi_6STiINA9D1qgPCXqx39Fc/s200/FullSizeRender+sound.jpg" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">iPhone's Voice Memo.<br />
Leave yourself a message.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I'm sure there's a number of apps for phones and pads which can help you. If you are using a particular app I haven't listed here. I'd love to know how you 'write' on days you can't write normally. See, even on days you're too busy, or too ill, or too exhausted, there's always something you can do to be creative. Even if you just leave yourself a voice memo of line of dialogue for your story, or an idea for a future chapter, it's still considered writing, and it will all add up to your word count.<br />
<br />
Only 8 days of <i>NaNoWriMo</i> to go. Whatever you do, I hope you keep on writing and keep on enjoying it!<br />
<br />
<h3>
<i>Happy Scribing!</i></h3>
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<b>Blog Important Notes</b></div>
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<b>Important Notes</b><br />
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<b>1</b><i>. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)<br />
<br />
</i></div>
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<b>2</b>. <i>If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my latest </i><a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe"><span style="color: #e4af0a;"><i>Instagram</i></span></a><i> photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about</i>. <br />
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<b>4</b>. <i>You can also follow me on </i><a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheCraftyScribe"><span style="color: #e4af0a;"><i>Twitter</i></span></a><i> and </i><a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe"><span style="color: #e4af0a;"><i>Instagram</i></span></a><i> - </i><b>@TheCraftyScribe</b><i> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... <br />
*42 = Life, The Universe and Everything</i>!</div>
<div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-54351420677706020732016-11-18T17:08:00.000+00:002016-11-18T17:08:51.763+00:00NaNoWriMo Day 18 - Writing in a Busy Week<h3>
<b><i>Dear Scribblers,</i></b></h3>
<br />
Here we are, another five days gone since my previous post. I think mentioned that it was my birthday this week, so I tried to make sure I pushed on a little longer on the days that I could make more time for <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a>. In the end I was able to write more than I was expecting.<br />
<br />
So, to keep it real and to show you my actual word count in the <a href="https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php" target="_blank">Scrivener</a> programme, and for those of you who like statistics and breakdowns, here's how much I wrote on each day:<br />
<br />
Day 14 - 1836 words<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt8V3cLxTnMTC_3Ae-yBFbIEXshybKJHw-PzmPZeUpOBUz09SqxXsqIDM0xh_dH7HUjZTjiedX4AwLAj_8YkZ0xroYQGjW8Be0sFh8BZusoVCGDwA6G9Tx1gJ4aH50UCNPRzH9LDkcM4/s1600/Day+14.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUt8V3cLxTnMTC_3Ae-yBFbIEXshybKJHw-PzmPZeUpOBUz09SqxXsqIDM0xh_dH7HUjZTjiedX4AwLAj_8YkZ0xroYQGjW8Be0sFh8BZusoVCGDwA6G9Tx1gJ4aH50UCNPRzH9LDkcM4/s400/Day+14.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Day 15 - 1411<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x80vt_ZOghKVgaLYzqEd6PQ58Ifn_2A52cWZj74GxL-gIJrJDPLddJxsyqTdghGgQ2NexiFIJKze_-vai-hdBfzqTJNsDM1DbHvF5Gxt3R0zmRk2YWtkn2ztMyS6HUwTyXnBkJF6lkY/s1600/Day+15.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x80vt_ZOghKVgaLYzqEd6PQ58Ifn_2A52cWZj74GxL-gIJrJDPLddJxsyqTdghGgQ2NexiFIJKze_-vai-hdBfzqTJNsDM1DbHvF5Gxt3R0zmRk2YWtkn2ztMyS6HUwTyXnBkJF6lkY/s400/Day+15.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Day 16 (My Birthday!) - 1362<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qIh1xJSoAss8CvQMg99Dwkje_MAc9X3hIuGynlPuJ9UHwwYby66p1T1GEUu7L7nhyN1VUXzONM_FnFxVwx7hfio1ctgx6KyuK2_-Ygg6lHbod9oSU4oBeFwzpSRaFgto4kwdmHCR0x4/s1600/Day+16.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qIh1xJSoAss8CvQMg99Dwkje_MAc9X3hIuGynlPuJ9UHwwYby66p1T1GEUu7L7nhyN1VUXzONM_FnFxVwx7hfio1ctgx6KyuK2_-Ygg6lHbod9oSU4oBeFwzpSRaFgto4kwdmHCR0x4/s400/Day+16.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Day 17 - 2327<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOCNJq00IzwFXoexweAvrYqbk6MsvmjpEv-8YhMUFKqRfptC8b4kl0tBN1Ec6Tp1CU3J5kYiC3dAF8ROX8R8_Yh1KOuIq_OgpdvFfzUmNRGjJ7pat6p_bkCa7NWWQHF2TpMoV1d_OxPQ/s1600/Day+17.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOCNJq00IzwFXoexweAvrYqbk6MsvmjpEv-8YhMUFKqRfptC8b4kl0tBN1Ec6Tp1CU3J5kYiC3dAF8ROX8R8_Yh1KOuIq_OgpdvFfzUmNRGjJ7pat6p_bkCa7NWWQHF2TpMoV1d_OxPQ/s400/Day+17.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Day 18 - 3059<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iZhWHhPHMaq2Voq16RqwXpgPZoOFlmJhELeChfVv8ChweG6jERCw7hwR08vrTwhdBAauE3YGgnGtTpU6TajP5XkSQqiOVSnUJ4MrXtqqnbzb3FicPYdOTmGKixge0fkgDeJ0le62CRM/s1600/Day+18.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iZhWHhPHMaq2Voq16RqwXpgPZoOFlmJhELeChfVv8ChweG6jERCw7hwR08vrTwhdBAauE3YGgnGtTpU6TajP5XkSQqiOVSnUJ4MrXtqqnbzb3FicPYdOTmGKixge0fkgDeJ0le62CRM/s400/Day+18.png" /></a><br />
<br />
As you can see, there was a dip in word count on the 15th and 16th. Obviously, I was expecting not to write at all, and had sort of planned for it. In my previous blog, I contemplated whether I'd be able to spend time whilst travelling to write, and that's exactly what I did.<br />
<br />
As we made our journey up to London on Tuesday, and back home on Wednesday, I was able to tap out some sentences on my Scrivener app on my iPhone. I was so pleased that this time was so well spent. Normally as a passenger, I would be listening to the radio, or generally playing on my phone, or chatting to the driver. Luckily, I have a very understanding husband, who knew what I was doing, and got that I wasn't just ignoring him! Who'd have thought that travel and traffic jams could be so productive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-QnPCy7e_fnLuFxgmIOuBWmVNbHoczUEJt7XmPdiDPyUayWvXv4MmMmcSulimrbuuzHa5Q1TXoLKEPBzqU73K4_LeMHUHEJGuf_1rie6ClpM4sIbrmEwkq-tuVekEtj0qKBJ28OiPso/s1600/2016-11-16+11.54.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-QnPCy7e_fnLuFxgmIOuBWmVNbHoczUEJt7XmPdiDPyUayWvXv4MmMmcSulimrbuuzHa5Q1TXoLKEPBzqU73K4_LeMHUHEJGuf_1rie6ClpM4sIbrmEwkq-tuVekEtj0qKBJ28OiPso/s320/2016-11-16+11.54.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break from my Scrivener iPhone app <br />to take this photo of the beautiful morning and clear roads, <br />just before the A3 Hindhead Tunnel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was pretty exhausted on the 17th, so as my body rested up, I was able to include a few segments of writing time. I'll discuss more about writing like this as I go on.<br />
<br />
Today has been a massively successful day, word count wise and the story fell from fingertips to keyboard and onto the screen at great rates. It's left me feeling pretty energised and raring to go for the weekend writing.<br />
<br />
How about you? I hope you've had a fabulous week, and can't wait to get the next chunk of your story onto the page this weekend. Whatever you do, I hope you are enjoying NaNoWriMo and keep writing.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><i>Happy Scribing!</i></b></h3>
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The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-90821427689007702442016-11-13T16:07:00.000+00:002016-11-13T16:07:13.973+00:00NaNoWriMo Day 13 - The Up's and Down's<h3>
<b><i>Dear Scribblers</i></b></h3>
<br />
It's been a tough time, for a couple of days, you'll see my word count dropped as I wasn't particularly well, and so I've been fighting over the last two days to recover, and I've done it.<br />
<br />
My total word count at the moment is 27657! I'm pretty pleased with that.<br />
<br />
Here's how it's been broken down.<br />
<br />
Day 8 - 2669<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU60mkUYHYlYjDSW9-YnjnHqtpPpSKjFItB23fHC0VJPrt8soDy_BDs_wvQk67RE6_j111YacM6O2fwOUowCGizTXtuzcmvn8Vw6Yb09qy1CF6nHm0zF0Z9y-IkB72pkNlBqgBI6hJWg/s1600/Day+8.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU60mkUYHYlYjDSW9-YnjnHqtpPpSKjFItB23fHC0VJPrt8soDy_BDs_wvQk67RE6_j111YacM6O2fwOUowCGizTXtuzcmvn8Vw6Yb09qy1CF6nHm0zF0Z9y-IkB72pkNlBqgBI6hJWg/s400/Day+8.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Day 9 - 2443<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_m8wc-_1rpXHlI4QKtEz_LwSbxJqk00gsjrMdVTsxxCPxgK0smxOjKZ1pcQWgVZehHH-B41U46ZykGg1HWaVbJttOvUKNTjOf-jqCqU79IiKD4dVNx-aF7qdC7Q7gKqoe7LI22fTlgU/s1600/Day+9.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_m8wc-_1rpXHlI4QKtEz_LwSbxJqk00gsjrMdVTsxxCPxgK0smxOjKZ1pcQWgVZehHH-B41U46ZykGg1HWaVbJttOvUKNTjOf-jqCqU79IiKD4dVNx-aF7qdC7Q7gKqoe7LI22fTlgU/s320/Day+9.png" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Day 10 - 1250<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYON1Fl7ElTPsDdSO82TP0fAwbKJJ3Dei1Qmm2uyndW7KLab0eYmQ-cx3uJ6q5mPyZ67wZ5_xpYdYXMohtfsSoE-jEb-ySycZeHzo1GGS2t1-txUXDvPN0OWzeBqc7LTFLNfb0NK7SaE/s1600/Day+10.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYON1Fl7ElTPsDdSO82TP0fAwbKJJ3Dei1Qmm2uyndW7KLab0eYmQ-cx3uJ6q5mPyZ67wZ5_xpYdYXMohtfsSoE-jEb-ySycZeHzo1GGS2t1-txUXDvPN0OWzeBqc7LTFLNfb0NK7SaE/s400/Day+10.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Day 11 - 1318<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHKrJ77lhz58GqwAZxumGOZRxP-DwWqsBkrnnCSfRRqWJ6KNpATWM1PkL5mLh46n8lOyL0XMBp2B1UjF2wXY4DpBsdZASDxI6h8nMpNI594OghwgJhn9OrSFlAFu_0wJxCsmpCUcDwkM/s1600/Day+11.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHKrJ77lhz58GqwAZxumGOZRxP-DwWqsBkrnnCSfRRqWJ6KNpATWM1PkL5mLh46n8lOyL0XMBp2B1UjF2wXY4DpBsdZASDxI6h8nMpNI594OghwgJhn9OrSFlAFu_0wJxCsmpCUcDwkM/s400/Day+11.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Days 12 and 13 - written together as it was a section of the story, I didn't want to separate - 4392<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue52Cf-R9gEM_ZdBaw65JFQKRH-uzXfOnro9deuFc1eFKeRIQYK6xypZWLPRKnBm7CZpEaxbBJZNyUPk9f8_C3ckL1nn3r44Bf920jwu-8ZCnDdxhVGCnXvbRNMV8cIrSukEXgrN_lz4/s1600/Day+12%253A13.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue52Cf-R9gEM_ZdBaw65JFQKRH-uzXfOnro9deuFc1eFKeRIQYK6xypZWLPRKnBm7CZpEaxbBJZNyUPk9f8_C3ckL1nn3r44Bf920jwu-8ZCnDdxhVGCnXvbRNMV8cIrSukEXgrN_lz4/s400/Day+12%253A13.png" /></a><br />
<br />
As you can see, it's been a far old up and down, with that major drop in the centre. It goes to show though that you can recover it, if you want to. Having a block of time of at least two or three hours, to sit and churn out the sentences really helped.<br />
<br />
I know that this up coming week will probably go the same way, as I'm going to be away from my computer for long periods, as we won't be at home, and I also won't have time to write. I'll be out for two days celebrating my birthday! I'm glad I've got Scrivener on my iPhone, as I'll try and get some writing done whilst we are travelling. Oh, that note, I must remember to take my phone charger and power bank with me! Thanks for the reminder, Scribblers!<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><i>Happy Scribing!</i></b></h3>
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<b>1</b><i>. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)<br />
<br />
</i></div>
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*42 = Life, The Universe and Everything</i>!</div>
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The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-67395945173313561502016-11-07T22:58:00.000+00:002016-11-07T23:05:30.508+00:00NaNoWriMo Day 7 - I'm still here!<h3>
<b><i>Dear Scribblers</i></b></h3>
Don't worry, even though I didn't post an update yesterday on the blog, I did keep my promise to write every day. Here's the "scores on the doors" (<i>big brownie points to anyone who knows which old television programme that's from!</i> 👍)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0jkttf6W7NRD2Xtf17anIdwYLEdlRt4DHTobNCgDsjRttqyj52oy64RtzCGXcQ9sJ_j9eWnBwZMUE5uU1NwtkHjiXAByceJfi74XuIZWr4Nad3SSQkeRJ8pUQ73BCRr-7qLbCT834t8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-06+at+23.17.58.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0jkttf6W7NRD2Xtf17anIdwYLEdlRt4DHTobNCgDsjRttqyj52oy64RtzCGXcQ9sJ_j9eWnBwZMUE5uU1NwtkHjiXAByceJfi74XuIZWr4Nad3SSQkeRJ8pUQ73BCRr-7qLbCT834t8/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-11-06+at+23.17.58.png" /></a><br />
This is from yesterday (Sunday), I was able to hit 2006, more that I expected, as I wasn't very well, which has actually carried on, into today...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0gX_fqWFj-MZFyHK9AFysrn9Jm2PY_cCYvN9qsl6ENva876ZAMt2CtZCm6tAqpR86eeTb0iNUCpuuvxw5s8pVk06dpgMh7NBtAuK_CMBJcl08IRqcd_CgogBNn9ldPaqy0s9HiDPI3Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-07+at+21.58.55.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0gX_fqWFj-MZFyHK9AFysrn9Jm2PY_cCYvN9qsl6ENva876ZAMt2CtZCm6tAqpR86eeTb0iNUCpuuvxw5s8pVk06dpgMh7NBtAuK_CMBJcl08IRqcd_CgogBNn9ldPaqy0s9HiDPI3Q/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-11-07+at+21.58.55.png" /></a><br />
However, I still reached 2275 words. It's been quite surprising, and tough to get through, but I sort of knew in what direction I was taking the story, so it pretty much wrote itself today.<br />
<br />
Once I'm back feeling a little more energised, I'll tell you my tips on how I carry on writing on day's like these, along with the information I promised you on <a href="http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/nanowrimo-day-4-protecting-your-words.html" target="_blank">day 4</a>, on how I cope on the days when there's a barrier where you can't achieve your word count, because of a disagreement between you and your story.<br />
<br />
Hope your Monday has been an influx of inventiveness, ideas, and impressive inscribing.<br />
<h3>
<b><i>Happy Scribing!</i></b></h3>
The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-40901256953749387292016-11-05T17:43:00.001+00:002016-11-05T17:43:55.063+00:00NaNoWriMo Day 5 - Remember, Remember to Write Even on the 5th of November!<h3>
<b><i>Dear Scribblers</i></b></h3>
<br />
Today has been a busy day, and we've got a fun evening a day of us, as here in the UK, it's Bonfire Night! So I knew I had to get a couple of writing hours done, so I set a timer and cranked out the chapter, knowing that once the alarm sounded that was it for today.<br />
<br />
I did it... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfAeqAabFhDe8Iad6ZN-RncBxRjY-OD-446mK3HB7xETvzYbiuxAUDGFpXWbDhXda7EWVMJuYAaoqmDBF7-VLR-uhax0cr-RiqjTP5sC9dQo01XI_BybaiV-zTCLLZqQ3n8TRBDOBS-o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-05+at+17.31.38.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfAeqAabFhDe8Iad6ZN-RncBxRjY-OD-446mK3HB7xETvzYbiuxAUDGFpXWbDhXda7EWVMJuYAaoqmDBF7-VLR-uhax0cr-RiqjTP5sC9dQo01XI_BybaiV-zTCLLZqQ3n8TRBDOBS-o/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-11-05+at+17.31.38.png" /></a>!<br />
<br />
So pleased, I'm sure if I didn't have you keeping an eye on me, I would have decided not to bother. So, thank you!<br />
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Now I'm off for an evening of fireworks, bonfires, hot dogs, jacket potatoes and sprinklers!<br />
Hope you are having a fun weekend, too!<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><i>Happy Scribing!</i></b></h3>
The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-18766635642713011502016-11-05T00:33:00.001+00:002016-11-05T17:37:26.848+00:00NaNoWriMo Day 4 - Protecting Your Words<h3>
<em>Dear Scribblers!</em></h3>
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I'm keeping on keeping on!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa9ejvoM1Sf-I9orJJrGyIudA1TooKZ_VNW5y1f95-Yp9CGPVCDulOlOqIJlJ5zjHmUVyGsLQwt6b3dSPDI5Rw2HdA_d7GzsMSDb2hqeIsHcQyXLIt8Oj82B3aAHAruyT0ScXVvFWECc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-04+at+19.31.33.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa9ejvoM1Sf-I9orJJrGyIudA1TooKZ_VNW5y1f95-Yp9CGPVCDulOlOqIJlJ5zjHmUVyGsLQwt6b3dSPDI5Rw2HdA_d7GzsMSDb2hqeIsHcQyXLIt8Oj82B3aAHAruyT0ScXVvFWECc/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-11-04+at+19.31.33.png" /></a></div>
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<strong>2,212 words</strong> written today, with a total of 9,026 words to date, and I am loving it! Really truly loving enjoying every single moment I'm directing my fingers across the keyboard in an almost free rhythm jazzy alphabet tap routine. In a blog post coming soon, I'll tell you how I feel when I forget the '<em>steps</em>', and how I get back into the <em>dance</em>.</div>
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However, today I want to ask you a question. <strong>How are you protecting your electronic written word count?</strong> I don't mean saving it from the negativity of the on-line trolls who live under the ethernet bridge, or from the purple prose punches of the bully critics, I'm talking about backing up your writing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It's so easy to lose your writing due to computer problems or viruses, or corrupted apps, and dropped phones and pads. There are a myriad of reasons why the words you wrote yesterday could have disappeared today, so there's two sentences I'd like to share with you.</div>
<h4>
1. Remember To Save Your Work.</h4>
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Luckily, most programmes which you'll probably find yourself writing on these days will automatically save your sentences as you go along, but always check that this is set to your liking. You don't want the accidental disappearance of a day's worth of writing because you thought it was saved when it wasn't. It's best to check your settings before you start and hit save anyway.</div>
<h4>
2. Back Up Your Writing.</h4>
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It's obvious, we all know we should be doing it, but how many of you have done this since starting <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank" title="NaNoWriMo">NaNoWriMo</a> 2016?</div>
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Call me over cautious, but I'm backing up... three separate ways! Mainly via the Apple iCloud Drive which automatically backs up my documents without me even thinking about it. Then I also back up to Dropbox, this is so I can access my Scrivener file to use in their iPhone app, I can continue to write without the need to be in front of my computer. (<em>The app is a recent purchase from the Apple App Store, especially bought for use for NaNoWriMo. I'll let you know what I think of it later in the month.</em>)</div>
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<br /></div>
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As I'm especially wary, I also backup to a USB stick every few days - as shown in the picture below.</div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcW_u_82hoPhjjfZQfY6gG7wuLiLuLSzeirmrdT3GAcn628HJq135Pm_qVydZL-F4yTi8Jd7Rjjqct8UWKbWLmKdn-lcBVQO9dKIJxNmC3DD3gIRe_qIddK3IH_d9np2SsprvZRzSvMak/?imgmax=9999" width="400" /></div>
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<br />The key-shaped stick holds 4GB, and I'm using it just for NaNoWriMo 2016's writing and any accompanying documents I might pick up during the month, such as any research materials I might accumulate, and the official website jpegs, etc.</div>
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Unfortunately, I can't remember where the stick came from, but if you'd like to know more about the other items in the photo, please see my corresponding <a href="http://instagram.com/thecraftyscribe" target="_blank">Instagram photo</a>.</div>
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There's many USB sticks and similar out there, over many different price points to chose from, along with other methods of backing up, such as independent companies cloud systems, programmes to assist with the process (e.g: Apple's own Timeline) and a variety of sized external hard drives, including my own where all my computer files are regularly stored as back up.</div>
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Whatever your preferred method, remember to protect your words. They're precious!</div>
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If there's anything you'd like me to discuss during NaNoWriMo, please let me know.</div>
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Happy Scribing!</h3>
<br />
<strong>Important Notes </strong><br />1. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-) <br />2. If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my latest <a href="http://instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank">Instagram</a> photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about. <br />3. If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends. <br />4. You can also follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank">Instagram</a> - <strong><em>@TheCraftyScribe</em></strong> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... *42 = Life, The Universe and Everything!The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-67021718953296842442016-11-03T19:47:00.001+00:002016-11-04T10:35:14.034+00:00NaNoWriMo 2016 - Day 3<h3>
Dear Scribbler!</h3><h3>
<br>O... M... G...! 😲😲😲</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwptqWAH1FmADO_24VMLUx9XLoMC7_NeAadNhsuRhd-VMILYbYqZf2bs5l3xZngpq6M8Qw2bIeFG9Z43qFvvjKqK9XreiG40FC4rqX9erNBZZqSU73ebiLNk-5F5DZ578uJnO13-9pyw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-03+at+19.27.31.png"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwptqWAH1FmADO_24VMLUx9XLoMC7_NeAadNhsuRhd-VMILYbYqZf2bs5l3xZngpq6M8Qw2bIeFG9Z43qFvvjKqK9XreiG40FC4rqX9erNBZZqSU73ebiLNk-5F5DZ578uJnO13-9pyw/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-11-03+at+19.27.31.png" width="134" height="35"></a></div><p><br></p><h4>
2821 words! </h4><p>2821 words!!! I can not believe I've written this much! It's been one of those days that what I thought I was going to write, wasn't what I ended up writing. It's ridiculous! The story just ran away with itself, and what I actually ended up writing was the back story to the main story, but the characters and their situation became so interesting that they needed a story on it's own.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uj4JoTYb_EFOJDWELA7UBS38ugF8zV1XXPBGESrMEXU9RS4NBH3nBUm1Mypuo43uwyaqjit7d_Tl-WEppqoHxyrI94AH7tjKFQHq6dp6xONeZVvCvJHyfO_9tykSU4Z3mh_Y1rYEDWU/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-03+at+19.30.39.png" width="320" height="46"></a></div><p><br></p><p>If you can actually read the tiny writing at the top, in three days I written 6809 words. I'm so proud of myself. I'm trying to prepare for those days when I know I won't be able to write, or when it's the opposite of today and the ideas won't come. (It's my birthday in the middle of the month, so I know I'll be loosing a couple of full days there.)</p><p>So, what's planned for tomorrow? I'll be writing the part of the story, I thought I was going to write today. It's the first day when I know I have a full structure to work with, which is nice! 😜</p><p>How are you experiencing your first three days of <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a>? I'd love to know. Haven't joined up yet? You've got plenty of time to catch up. Come along and join in the fun.</p><p>Tomorrow, I plan to not only tell you how day 4 has gone, but also give you a little insight into how I'm making sure all those words are being saved.</p><p>See you on Friday!</p><h3>
<strong><em>Happy Scribing!</em></strong></h3><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Important Notes</strong></p><p><strong>1</strong><em>. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)<br><br></em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>2</strong>. <em>If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my latest </em><a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe"><em>Instagram</em></a><em> photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about</em>. </p><p><strong>3</strong>. <em>If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends</em>. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>4</strong>. <em>You can also follow me on </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheCraftyScribe"><em>Twitter</em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe"><em>Instagram</em></a><em> - </em><strong>@TheCraftyScribe</strong><em> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... <br>*42 = Life, The Universe and Everything</em>!</p><p><br></p>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-20447142904903666892016-11-02T18:07:00.003+00:002016-11-02T18:08:11.890+00:00NaNoWriMo Day 2<h3>
<b><i>Dear Scribblers</i></b></h3>
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I told you that you're going to keep me honest! Completed day 2 -<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMvo3HNqLLDrN6J4LEtXQRcCOruFWAk-xlVyJg3mUPxrKfhiAnloHY3wRcnFheXf5JIkHhommVpQjNjV0TDUlSPBHKeWggtr3ltpeJfEuL3g9YsJOMBaMDZrWmx5wCze49HpcS4a29kw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-02+at+17.34.36.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMvo3HNqLLDrN6J4LEtXQRcCOruFWAk-xlVyJg3mUPxrKfhiAnloHY3wRcnFheXf5JIkHhommVpQjNjV0TDUlSPBHKeWggtr3ltpeJfEuL3g9YsJOMBaMDZrWmx5wCze49HpcS4a29kw/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-11-02+at+17.34.36.png" /></a><br />
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Look at me! So proud of myself. This is my running total -<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50uoUWmqsL_yDIJWBni3xOvH_AqezpntrbvG4w99CaYgw_VGqqSJNlvnExQ2N4S7VyBS_ViB0CCeU1OPV0uzpT37tGtd3XuoXlTsDS7N38IAduKI6xqgxqLRObtdvCmAdkbHI8knsCVE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-02+at+17.36.48.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50uoUWmqsL_yDIJWBni3xOvH_AqezpntrbvG4w99CaYgw_VGqqSJNlvnExQ2N4S7VyBS_ViB0CCeU1OPV0uzpT37tGtd3XuoXlTsDS7N38IAduKI6xqgxqLRObtdvCmAdkbHI8knsCVE/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-11-02+at+17.36.48.png" /></a><br />
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Not far off 4,000 words! I can't believe I'm here already, although I must say it's not easy to begin with, and there's time I'm sitting there with my fingers poised over the keyboard when the right word won't appear from the ether. I realise with this, it's not about getting the right word down, just to get the words written and the gist of the idea or sentence, then going back after this initial run of first draft to refine and edit. That's what writing is all about.<br />
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<b><i>Happy Scribing!</i></b></h3>
The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-12928836658599000572016-11-01T17:49:00.001+00:002016-11-01T17:55:10.035+00:00NaNoWriMo 2016<h3>
<i><b>Dear Scribblers</b></i></h3>
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Hello! Well, I bit the bullet and I've joined <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> 2016!<br />
<a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRmYaxAl6lT4K654U6Kg8A5AxxQlyaQ7U1VnC9OVkx8mPakaabzpSIkYZm93Z9i_VaqlWam1Sc4ZgMf9QsZmgaWnByniocSSgOUTR7ZRUP5uTm36aSsxQAlE5YNklveO_hqf7g3ZBo2A/s320/Nanowrimo-Tear-Off-Flyer02.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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I've completed my first day writing 1,848 words! I'm pleased as I wrote over the daily recommended 1,667 words required to hit the 50,000 word target on 30th November.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_f5uf19vIF1LFT46sZ0anUybyeo1ugPq53-Y-IW6FLFoECqP0ZWOCVdU7i5mktbk-WhtMEiAivrSRQM3tzk5kj4WcKASLzhAp7UEFT766pJbvK0Wi84FefabbunMNADtQVlkmXYikg8/s1600/Nano.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_f5uf19vIF1LFT46sZ0anUybyeo1ugPq53-Y-IW6FLFoECqP0ZWOCVdU7i5mktbk-WhtMEiAivrSRQM3tzk5kj4WcKASLzhAp7UEFT766pJbvK0Wi84FefabbunMNADtQVlkmXYikg8/s320/Nano.jpeg" width="240" /></a><br />
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I'm writing on my MacBook Air 11in, using the fabulous <a href="https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php" target="_blank">Scrivener</a> programme, which is made for writers. They also make a sister app for iOS iPhone and iPad which I'm hoping to get soon, too. If you'd like a review on the programme, please let me know.<br />
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Now, I'm hoping you will keep me going with this and on track to completing it by the end of the month. By telling you, I'll keep honest and keep writing. If any of you are also a participant, please let me know and I'll follow you on NaNoWriMo. Please follow me, too - I'm<b> thecraftyscribe</b><br />
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Btw, I had no idea what I was going to write, nor have I written a synopsis or anything! I just put my fingers on the keyboard and started typing, not knowing where I was going to go with it. However by the end of it, I had a general idea where I'm going to go, what's going to link it, plus the title - 'The Night Chronicles.' It's going to be supernatural/horror... I think. I'm going to let it flow and see what ideas I come up with each day. This is totally<i> not me</i>! Normally, I have a complete synopsis and chapter break down with what I want to accomplish each day, along with character and setting analysis. It's exciting, but extremely scary doing it this way. You need to remember that NaNoWriMo is a bit of a game, and writing this way is so much fun!<br />
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Hope you'll follow me on this journey.<br />
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<img src="https://nanowrimo.org/widget/LiveSupporter/thecraftyscribe.png" /><br />
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<i><b>Happy Scribing!</b></i></h3>
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<strong>Important Notes</strong></div>
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<em><strong>1</strong>. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. Unless I mention it, I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)</em></div>
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<strong>2</strong>. <em>If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my latest <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" style="color: #956839;" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about</em>. </div>
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<strong>3</strong>. <em>If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends</em>. </div>
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<strong>4</strong>. <em>You can also follow me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheCraftyScribe" style="color: #956839;" target="_blank" title="Twitter">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" style="color: #956839;" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> - <strong>@TheCraftyScribe</strong> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*...................<br />*42 = Life, The Universe and Everything</em>!</div>
The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-8819533481954819462016-10-21T08:30:00.000+01:002016-11-01T17:59:24.185+00:00Lulu Guinness Stationery Review - Part Two!<h3>
Dear Scribblers</h3>
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After yesterday's review of the <a href="http://www.luluguinness.com/" target="_blank" title="Lulu Guinness ">Lulu Guinness</a> <strong>Custom</strong> A5 notebook and the <strong>Lulu Icons Set</strong> of 3 A6 notebooks, the review continues...</div>
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<strong><em>50:50 Lip Diary for 2017 💋</em></strong><br />Here's the review that most planner addicts have been waiting for, which you'll find is my most disappointing of all 3 items, but it's not all bad!</div>
I love the design and A5 size. The cover is made of a study hard card with gold foil lettering and recessed black cloth blinding - allowing it to lay fairly flat. The pages are stitched in sections and glued. <br />
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There's a stripy silky ribbon <strong>bookmark</strong>, triangle card inside <strong>slip-pocket</strong> in the back cover, and 6 <strong>top-loading card pockets</strong> which are all useful. Although, I wish the top-loading files were spread out a bit more evenly throughout the book than they are. <em>They appear at 3 weeks into the year, then one at a further 8 weeks, then we wait for another 16 weeks! Followed by 8 weeks, 16 weeks then the last one appears in the address book section 8 pages later. </em>Obviously, there's a pattern here to the layout, which must be to do with how they are glued in, but it doesn't make a lot of practical sense. 2 have the multiple red lip design on one side and plain black on the other, and 4 are black and white stripes with plain red on the other side. </div>
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The main bulk of the diary is taken up with the layout of <strong>a week a page with notes</strong> opposite. This has always been one of my favourite styles to work with. </div>
The diary begins with the usual <strong>personal information</strong> page, followed by a spread of blank red pages declaring the following page is 2017 <strong>Year at a Glance</strong>, and low and behold, it is! Next, there's the multi red lip design over two pages, stating that the next set of pages are a <strong>Month at a Glance</strong>... and you guessed it, they were right! I think you may be getting the idea that I think there's a lot of wasted space. I'm sure I can think of ways of using all this superfluous real estate. <br />
I must say, I do really enjoy how they have drawn the monthly layouts. Each month is on a single page, but you turn the book to landscape to use it, and you don't lose out on writing space, so much easier to use than the month across 2 pages. <br />
This is followed by stripy pages separating the month from the main <strong>Week at a Glance</strong>. I love that all the days have the same amount of space, unlike some diaries that squash poor old Saturday and Sunday. All the main <em>UK holidays</em> are listed, along with the dates of the main <em>international fashion weeks</em>. A chic touch! As is the little red lips at the bottom of each notes page. <br />
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<br />An <strong>address section</strong> (12 pages - a few too many for my liking) is next. Followed by <strong>notes and doodles</strong> - which has plain lightly patterned pages, sections entitled "<em>museums, galleries & exhibitions</em>", "<em>films & books</em>", 4 sides of numbered <em>to-lists</em>, 2 for <em>shopping lists</em> and 27 sides of lined <em>note pages</em>. Both of these have the ubiquitous patterned double page separator. It ends with a page of <em>international dialling codes</em>, and page listing <em>international holidays</em> for 13 'major' countries. </div>
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Unfortunately, it loses points for a couple of reasons - the last two pages, on my copy, were stuck together and ripped. A little disappointing, but I can overlook it. </div>
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The main reason I feel disheartened is due to the poor quality of the paper. It feels rough, yet thin, which lets the 'designer' style down. It's so different from the notebooks reviewed yesterday. This paper is a world away in look, touch and how the pen feels when writing. </div>
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I also wanted show you a pen test, and you can see what it's like for yourself. </div>
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<br />I'm not going to be able to use my fountain pens in it at all, and even though the other pens do not necessarily seep through, the depth of indentation of my writing is quite astounding! I know I'm not the lightest writer, but my hand isn't that heavy. I also gave it a quick wash of watercolour, the paper pilled immediately, but I knew that was a tough task. I think I'd only trust ball point pens, and pencils on this paper. </div>
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I know now that I couldn't use this as my main diary, as the limitations of pens would drive me insane. I love writing with my fountain pen, so I know I couldn't put up with that. However, it won't go to waste, as I'll be using it as my social media planner for the new year, along with my multi-coloured ball point pen! </div>
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If you love the <a href="http://www.luluguinness.com/" target="_blank" title="Lulu Guinness ">Lulu Guinness</a> aesthetic and her colours, this is a must... as long as you can look past the paper quality. There's much more going for it than not.</div>
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Happy Scribing!</h3>
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<strong><u>Price & Codes</u></strong><br /><strong>50:50 Lip Diary 2017</strong> <br />Style: 50125135<br /><strong>ISBN</strong> 978-1-84949-861-6<br /><a href="http://www.luluguinness.com/" target="_blank" title="Lulu Guinness">Lulu Guinness website</a> - £18:00<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank" title="Amazon UK">Amazon UK</a> - £13:06</div>
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<br />Made by Quadrille (Hardie Grant) for <a href="http://www.luluguinness.com/" target="_blank" title="Lulu Guinness ">Lulu Guinness</a> - <a href="http://www.quadrille.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.quadrille.co.uk</a> - <a href="http://www.quadrille.com/" target="_blank" title="www.quadrille.com">www.quadrille.com</a><br />Prices shown as listed on <a href="http://www.luluguinness.com/" target="_blank" title="www.luluguinness.com">www.luluguinness.com</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank" title="Amazon Prime UK">Amazon Prime UK</a> - 19 October 2016. For all these items, a quick search on the net brings up alternative stockists, too<br /><em>Also in the range - A5 luxury notebook, and notecard set.</em></div>
<strong>Important Notes</strong><br />
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<em><strong>1</strong>. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)<br /></em></div>
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<strong>2</strong>. <em>If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my latest <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about</em>. </div>
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<strong>3</strong>. <em>If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends</em>. </div>
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<strong>4</strong>. <em>You can also follow me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Twitter">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> - <strong>@TheCraftyScribe</strong> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... <br />*42 = Life, The Universe and Everything</em>!</div>
The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-61739022866343710282016-10-20T14:25:00.001+01:002016-11-01T17:57:33.841+00:00Lulu Guinness Stationery Review - made to be stopped and stared at!<h3>
Dear Scribblers</h3>
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<br />Have you seen the gorgeous new <a href="http://www.luluguinness.com/" target="_blank" title="Lulu Guinness ">Lulu Guinness</a> stationery? As an owner of a few pieces of her stunning handbags and accessories line, I was so pleased to hear the fabulous British designer was bringing out a stationery range, too. So as soon as I could, I hopped on-line, and bought 3 out of the launched 5 items. I picked mine up mid-August from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank" title="Amazon UK">Amazon UK</a>, which was quite a chunk cheaper than her website. <em>See pricing and full product details at the end of this post.</em> </div>
Here are all three of the covers:<br />
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<img height="511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2aRsxTZ1hDx0j1rkp-P0FCoSh8gyGznqbKB1BnsmZNRQpv_JYrj2uFXo3hTA7zCnB_omDClsVq_PCmlrlaaa69bnBNERlYM8zf5sa9L0i2EIniLjLiSleK0Q8D5KNPQgreb1E8dsTsM/?imgmax=9999" width="400" /></div>
<em>Top left: notebook with 2 sticker sheets. <br />Bottom left: 2017 diary - a week a page with notes. <br />On the left are 3 mini notebooks with box.</em> <br />
And an overview of the paper in them all:<br />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjunuNjbwG0_mIF3uyDraOp34D7135PpYBnmSUHTDlf4jS1OS963RdDBGd0N2KJoDjjhCz4B5a1E23BI-9-n-lUpZeiEmmKMLsuRdCyU0AqB_nRQz36Z4B-Y54VNAm4KMrbxD68bClfn8/?imgmax=9999" width="400" /></div>
<em>Top 2 show the 2017 diary layout and close-up of one of the top-loading envelopes. <br />Bottom left - notebook showing tabs and stickers. <br />Bottom right - 3 small books w/ different style paper</em><br />
They couldn't be more perfect for me, my favourite colours: red, black and white, with some of my most chosen design elements: stripes and lips, with a little bit of a cat illustration, all by one of my top 5 fav designers. (If you'd added diamond quilting and stars, and it would have been perfect. 😂)<br />
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<strong><em>A5 'Custom' Notebook 💋</em></strong><br /> The item I've used the most has been the A5 notebook. There are 2 notebooks this size in her range: a hard-backed one called '<strong>Dare to Be Different</strong>', and this one called the '<strong>Custom</strong>' notebook. It has an old-style 'school exercise book' cardboard cover. There's 30 doubled-sided sheets (60 pages) - lined at the front of the book and plain in the second half, all tabbed into 8 sections printed with her signature lip, hand and eye logos. The 'custom' part probably refers to the 2 sheets of stickers, at the centre of the notebook, of 2 of each of the designs above along with 2 cats faces and 2 '<strong>Lulu Guinness London</strong>' logos. </div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEudQ6OEoskznLxo1fVu_CEK5XYz9Oz5E_ZhA2l1x8PHnRe9yq4yQAAtG_5RV90tfG_f-BptT1UMFymYoJFR5mID3kF1MO9LDxfOxhWcYi9SMPadPrODbYH6WeGvZsRxKMVo4EeGWhp3Q/?imgmax=9999" width="400" /></div>
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<br />The paper is high quality, almost card quality, (<em>don't ask me about gsm as these are lost on me, although as a stationery addict, it's something I should definitely learn about!</em>) </div>
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It's a dream to write on, even taking fountain pen and light watercolour washes. Please note that the book is stapled together and doesn't naturally lie flat, it can stand some manipulation. </div>
We had a number of home renovations in recent months, which a list of jobs still to be completed, and this has been my house workbook to keep a track of it all. The front lined section for to-do lists and contact details with a separate tabbed area relating to a separate area of the house. Even though there's logos on the tabs, there's still plenty of space to write your own heading. The back plain pages are used for calendar layouts (so I can track on-going projects), sketches of floor plans and mini-mood boards of items torn from magazines, brochures and paint swatches. (If you'd like a separate post of the used pages, please leave a comments.)<br />
There's plenty of Lulu design elements - I especially like the lip book plate on the cover for writing in the project. I can imagine a very stylish teen or college student with 3 or 4 of these containing their important revision notes. I also like the faux turned back corner on the cover, showing the glimpse of the little red lip, along with the signature gold foil logo on the back cover. <br />
My only wish is that the stickers were smaller, and that there were more of them. At around an approx of minimum of 3 cm to 6cm max (1 X 2in), they certainly pack a punch. Not your average planner sticker. <br />
A delectable designed notebook for all your notes, to-dos and doodles.<br />
<strong><em>Lulu Icons Set of 3 A6 Notebooks</em></strong> 💋<br />If pocket and handbag jotters are more your style, you'll love this set of 3 mini Notebooks which come a cute slide-in black box to, all with different design looks and papers. Each has 48 sheets - 96 sides. <br />
The black and white stripe cat print has plain paper, with pale pink cover lining and the quote "Kooky Cat" on the inside front cover. <br />
The multiple red lips and half black and white stripe cover carries the stripes inside and reads "A little lipstick never hurts." This comes with .7cm lined paper. <br />
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Finally, the half red/half black and white lips cover is lined in red with a quote of "Don't forget your lipstick" and is filled with .7cm square grid/graph pages. </div>
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<img height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2t6ekmyoa-Qn8GScaf9lne7xdgOJUiaSOxBEXM3E5csb1u71JzRv2s0C6kNixkWAhJzs0GARDylUPHpdD3oLLXx3elY8k8ob4QTLjIhTyakOkz86QSN2Ii6rcreZcjQFpDj76wajbbwo/?imgmax=9999" width="400" /></div>
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<br />Once again, the paper is high quality, but not as thick as the notebook above, which would actually be too much for books of this size. </div>
I've been dabbling in these, but not used them as much as the notebook. I could see myself dropping these into a fauxdori/travelers notebook sort of cover and using the plain book for sketching/mini art journal, the lined one as a common place book or for jotting down storylines, poetry and blog ideas, and of course, the grid would make a great bullet journal. Although, the graph squares are quite large, so if you're anything like me, you might find yourself filling up the book pretty quickly!<br />
If your intention was to use all three, it would make for a very chunky set to carry around with you. There's another reason why the 'fauxdori' route may not work, as the papers are stitched in groups and then these sections are glued into the spine, so there's no defined centre to the book. It's also a worry, as the book doesn't lie open, once you begin to manipulate it as you attempt to create an easy working surface, will these sections fall out? I hope that the binding glue is strong and holds them together. I'll let you know as I use them. <br />
My aim is to use the grid book as my bullet to-do list, along with the diary - as their covers match! Then the other two as discussed above, but not to carry around together. <br />
If you look at them, for what they are intended for, as little pocket notebooks, then they are fun to use, gorgeous to look at, and will certainly be a talking point when you bring it out of your bag. <br />
I hope you've found these reviews interesting, as they ran a little longer than I expected, I've decided to split it, so there's not too much information coming at you. I hope that you'll return again tomorrow for the full review on the 50:50 2017 diary. <br />
<em>Please see all pricing and details listed below.</em><br />
<h3>
Happy Scribing!</h3>
<br />
<strong><u>Prices & codes</u></strong><br /><strong>Custom A5 notebook</strong> <br />Style no: 50125173<br /><strong>ISBN</strong> 978-1-84949-863-0<br /><a href="http://www.luluguinness.com/" target="_blank" title="Lulu Guinness ">Lulu Guinness website</a> £8:00<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank" title="Amazon UK">Amazon UK</a> £8:00<br />
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<strong>Lulu Icons A6 Set of 3 Notebooks</strong> <br />Style: 50125166<br /><strong>ISBN</strong> 978-1-84949-864-7<br /><a href="http://www.luluguinness.com/" target="_blank">Lulu</a> - £15:00<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> - £10:00</div>
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Made by Quadrille (Hardie Grant) for Lulu Guinness - <a href="http://www.quadrille.co.uk/" target="_blank" title="www.quadrille.co.uk">www.quadrille.co.uk</a> - <a href="http://www.quadrille.com/" target="_blank" title="www.quadrille.com">www.quadrille.com</a><br />Prices shown as listed on <a href="http://www.luluguinness.com/" target="_blank" title="www.luluguinness.com">www.luluguinness.com</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank" title="Amazon Prime UK">Amazon Prime UK</a> - 19 October 2016. For all these items, a quick search on the net brings up alternative stockists, too<br /><em>Also in the range - A5 luxury notebook, and notecard set</em>. <br />
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<br /><strong>Important Notes</strong></div>
<strong>1</strong>. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)<br />
<strong>2</strong>. If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my latest <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram ">Instagram</a> photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about.<br />
3. If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends.<br />
4. You can also follow me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Twitter">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a> - <strong><em>@TheCraftyScribe</em></strong> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... *42 = Life, The Universe and Everything!The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-28212598385862614642016-10-19T15:59:00.005+01:002016-10-19T17:14:18.494+01:00I'm Back... Back Again... Again!<p dir="auto"><br>So... <strong>Hello!</strong> <br>(<em>waving frantically</em>) <br>Hello? <br>(<em>taps the screen - knock knock knock!</em>) Anyone out there? <br>(<em>sigh!) <br></em>Probably not. <br>It's been about a year since I pounded at the keys and flung words at this page. I'm so, so sorry. I really don't know what happened. Where has the year gone??? For anyone still around...</p><h1>Hello Scribblers!</h1><p><strong>I've missed you!</strong> I know, I know. I've said all this before. If we were in a relationship, you would have broken up with me already. I deserve it. But here I am, back again, saying I'm going to try better, and I will. (Even though I haven't even brought <em><strong>flowers</strong></em>!)</p><p>My aim is to get my blogging game together, and post various wonderments and thoughts upon this here space. I hope you'll have enough faith to stick around and give it a go, and if I prove my blogger badge again, you'll let your buddies know too.</p><p dir="ltr">If you want to see what I dabbled at in the past year, you might want to take a long look on <strong><a href="http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank">Instagram</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheCraftyScribe" target="_blank">Twitter</a></strong> to see my past postings there - <strong><em>@TheCraftyScribe</em></strong> (original, ain't I? 😜) ((I also tried Snapchat, but I'm not keen. I've posted a couple of Instagram Stories. Still unsure. What do you think? Is it worth it?))</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijMtcn45xX1Zpt4AICV181GH3npara2P7vQ4O_RiUNru25_m9QSmcQi3cGtiZeNNzxuMgdC2NMIrl2euagLf3OFPGWsLOPvcAoY5jfAsaKlwzF4lnkBkkypF_myxibd7C_7KotFNi3EE/?imgmax=9999" width="300" height="479"></a></div><p>As well as photos of 42 (<em>see intro on photo</em>), on Instagram, I often write mini-<strong>reviews</strong> of 'stuff', but I think most people skip over the verbals to lay their orbital seeing vessels on the filtered-to-the-hilters pics. So I'd like to expand those reviews, plonk 'em here to tell you what I really, really think.</p><p dir="auto">Plus there's other reviewing thoughts which often don't have a pretty still life to post on the Instas, such as thoughts on <strong>websites</strong>, <strong>stores</strong>, <strong>courses</strong>, <strong>history</strong>, <strong>clouds</strong>* and all forms of <strong>writing</strong>, which would fit perfectly within the lovely lines for posting right here.</p><p dir="auto">I'm sure that many of you will be entering your mind palaces and bringing out great literary - as yet undiscovered - works of art for <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> - the fabulous (Inter)<strong>Na</strong>tional <strong>No</strong>vel <strong>Wri</strong>ting <strong>Mo</strong>nth, and creating your first drafts of 50,000 words in 30 days. I'm sorta, maybe, ya'know, considering, thinking about, taking part again this year. Although, as of yet, I'm totally unprepared, and haven't even thought of what to do. It would be 100% flying-by-the-seat-of-my-knickers! If I do, I want you to keep me honest, and I'll write a <strong>daily progress</strong> and pre-November planning (if there is any) article here. If that's something you'd like to read about, please let me know.</p><p dir="auto">Talking of <strong>planning</strong>, I'm also going to write a little about various planning techniques I've used in the past, and how I'm tackling it all now, along with favourite products and <strong>stationery</strong>. Think about it as more, 'How I Do It' rather that teaching you how to do it. Maybe, you might see a tip or one, but I think there's some great organisational peeps out there (including YOU! Yes, You. I can see you. 👁👁) that it might be a case of teaching granny to suck eggs 👵🏻😙🐣 or planneraddicts to stick stickers, might be a better phrase here!</p><p dir="auto">I'll bring out some of my old <strong>journals</strong> and <strong>scrapbooks</strong>, along with showing you my present style, but I think much of the last paragraph applies here, too. Same goes for <strong>photography</strong>.</p><p dir="auto">I'd like to get a little more personal with you, if that clicks your pen top. I'll show you stuff I normally post on Instagram (<strong>cats</strong>, <strong>travel</strong>, <strong>handbags</strong> and accessories, <strong>fashion</strong> and <strong>beauty</strong>) but in more detail, along with other aspects of my life that I <em>don't</em> show on Instagram. Such as my home including my favourite place to sit and <strong>write</strong>, recent home <strong>renovations</strong>, where I do my <strong>make-up</strong>, my <strong>wardrobe</strong> and <strong>study</strong>. Then there's <strong>mindfulness</strong> and <strong>spirituality,</strong> favourite <strong>television</strong>, <strong>movies</strong>, <strong>theatre</strong> and <strong>music</strong>. I'll delve even deeper and explain to you some of the more difficult <strong>life</strong> <strong>experiences</strong> I've been through, and the <strong>health</strong> issue I deal with every day.</p><p dir="auto">If I can sort it out, I'd like to post a couple of quizzes to answer some questions about the look of my site, and also the frequency of posts you'd like. I'll shout out on Twitter and Instagram, once I've created them.</p><p dir="auto">So what do you think? Does it sound like your mug of Rosie Lee**?</p><p>If so, please meet me back here... and also, let me know what you'd like me to write about. I love getting your feedback. Looking forward to seeing this blog active again, and in the words of Oscar Wilde's '<em>The</em> <em>Importance</em> <em>of</em> <em>Being</em> <em>Earnest</em>' -</p><p dir="auto"><strong>"This suspense is terrible. I hope it will last!"<br></strong><br><strong><em>Happy Scribing!</em></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfo50rd0ORSvFA_TrNsBTxFGb_wvK_8rIBU23i4aggEeNqLHHaM0kx-skoDflESxX2pQxDU9zWcAe4VgiYLBelGbe2_8SBJQ8YdFnYc30SUoO8I5F8Q86SQVVGO5YIVkvuH7093uajfxg/?imgmax=9999" width="150" height="234"></div><p dir="ltr">(and I've remembered the <strong>flowers</strong>!)</p><p dir="ltr">*<em> I don't necessarily have much to review about clouds, except I love all the different types - except the heavy grey one which covers the sky and causes rain, I don't like that one. <br>I also love to play the game where you find different shapes of faces, animals and objects in the white fluffy clouds. Next time you get the chance go out side, lie down and look for the shapes. Take a photo and post it to Instagram with #TheCraftyScribeClouds and link me in. If you do, I promise to follow you on your social media (if, you want me to! 😉)<br></em></p><p dir="ltr">**Rosie Lee - TEA! ☕️ (That's London Cockney Rhyming Slang, that is! 😃👍)</p>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-34672822409446905432015-10-26T14:24:00.001+00:002015-10-26T15:22:00.358+00:00Simple Journal Ideas, Fashion Look Books and Stinky Zink!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>Dear Scribblers</i></b></span></div><div><br></div><div>A little over two months ago, I posted photos on my <i>Instagram</i> (<b><i>@TheCraftyScribe</i></b>) showing a couple of boxes of my finished notebooks and scrapbooks:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIxndOMG5qHiF1FLGLj62aVX-IbN16Oa3DvUslx_FXchaqgPg0IShG6_6t8X_F_1cVMaizXxEI8FfbwUUMunv1cx_GzP13ZA6Dcor56-Nzrff9GXzV2axIGGKpXV4CVyzditHjlXWweM/s640/blogger-image--1076561080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIxndOMG5qHiF1FLGLj62aVX-IbN16Oa3DvUslx_FXchaqgPg0IShG6_6t8X_F_1cVMaizXxEI8FfbwUUMunv1cx_GzP13ZA6Dcor56-Nzrff9GXzV2axIGGKpXV4CVyzditHjlXWweM/s640/blogger-image--1076561080.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/6kIMayKwc_/">https://instagram.com/p/6kIMayKwc_/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSl5ETtEIkye1uERXSCTR7RlmrZPI9kHSrVOontng8ybuGtvR-EwzCIPjn3cirDFdW6zX_GrTh-92ePTQLvZInQ_zCwJItMkULurZNGY3Od1JmnCgqdEN3kzUxhgRzyOnd9dknXIbTE0/s640/blogger-image--192312856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSl5ETtEIkye1uERXSCTR7RlmrZPI9kHSrVOontng8ybuGtvR-EwzCIPjn3cirDFdW6zX_GrTh-92ePTQLvZInQ_zCwJItMkULurZNGY3Od1JmnCgqdEN3kzUxhgRzyOnd9dknXIbTE0/s640/blogger-image--192312856.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then last month, I uploaded pictures of the inside of one of my <i>Smythson</i> journals from 2009, where I'd used magazine cuttings to form focus pages of goals, dreams and aspirations. A journal equivalent of an inspiration board, or even nowadays, <i>Pinterest</i>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzDq-1ByR8G6oeDyjaSWsb7MmKHfDFzelWJUfqCeQNIKObDitLCyNYQAsMhIS9l10k0upQfYhIzAcAfR5ZskS1FF7l-8aEFM6pGV5poU4ERXuwih-gP6AAeqfcIogUUI59CUbpjgnK4c/s640/blogger-image-2141759335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzDq-1ByR8G6oeDyjaSWsb7MmKHfDFzelWJUfqCeQNIKObDitLCyNYQAsMhIS9l10k0upQfYhIzAcAfR5ZskS1FF7l-8aEFM6pGV5poU4ERXuwih-gP6AAeqfcIogUUI59CUbpjgnK4c/s640/blogger-image-2141759335.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyXQMW_3LjaQCLBSxXufMdumUNji7pVXL70eVNZyrQqC0XlkUDgE3sDwss-na9gnBT5b6sh9-pVHh5eyoULe50q94LtCOpIzzhi9dK499GTdFNOmM4G4bEq7c68HMM0SCx6ssHELJ3Po/s640/blogger-image--1969478749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyXQMW_3LjaQCLBSxXufMdumUNji7pVXL70eVNZyrQqC0XlkUDgE3sDwss-na9gnBT5b6sh9-pVHh5eyoULe50q94LtCOpIzzhi9dK499GTdFNOmM4G4bEq7c68HMM0SCx6ssHELJ3Po/s640/blogger-image--1969478749.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/8TT1Cuqwax/">https://instagram.com/p/8TT1Cuqwax/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've always liked using magazine snippings to add colour and life to journalling pages. However, if you are new to this, here's one way of inserting cut-outs into your writing in its simplest form. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you are like me and love flicking through the fashion magazines, like <i>Vogue </i>and <i>Elle,</i> for your favourite looks to come, each season, tear out the ones that catch your eye. Even if the designer prices are out of your league, when the styles trickle down into the high street stores, you've created your own look book, so you know what you're looking for come the next season. You may even save time and money once you go shopping, as you already know what styles you're searching for. Here's some of mine from Spring/Summer 2011!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDluOXVMFd6UmyRH0OZDE37IZKkSavrI3H6pea9nKf0A073nG5nsrQBFR69XGm5GyoCcIL11a9vD91QuEXH80CGvWMIfKeOxDP0GZj-6BOphCuIfp5hDaAfU1KeyWc3eUNndO6OOxvYXA/s640/blogger-image-1459665403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDluOXVMFd6UmyRH0OZDE37IZKkSavrI3H6pea9nKf0A073nG5nsrQBFR69XGm5GyoCcIL11a9vD91QuEXH80CGvWMIfKeOxDP0GZj-6BOphCuIfp5hDaAfU1KeyWc3eUNndO6OOxvYXA/s640/blogger-image-1459665403.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7fmiqOEJXNVuM1erVPdT1Ajq_fMUQabaGaCXxE3BXiy68HlLNTwHGvefjPeQtPxZ3CDQFMLMDyYp6kJHEbt6a40qqTi7AsZKus2I_ZURl6FlkPDTzZi9q3vOOG382wWGss0-4gwPDLk/s640/blogger-image--1967335958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7fmiqOEJXNVuM1erVPdT1Ajq_fMUQabaGaCXxE3BXiy68HlLNTwHGvefjPeQtPxZ3CDQFMLMDyYp6kJHEbt6a40qqTi7AsZKus2I_ZURl6FlkPDTzZi9q3vOOG382wWGss0-4gwPDLk/s640/blogger-image--1967335958.jpg"></a></div>It's also fun to return to, years after, to see if your taste has changed, and remember what you actually bought.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I even cut out a title, comment or tag line, if it resonates with me: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhKwX3GX2OW9QZs1iM8vMq0igpnKZxDH2y74Jg8CtbFT8vuBlLGhU1tmuEI8mFTd_HjoxBXm1TMSjc6I1iHJwxpXPyPp-9bb8LvdY70bdJWxEWdzR43HagjsopRsERadvruIK2_n6lVE/s640/blogger-image--1417047246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhKwX3GX2OW9QZs1iM8vMq0igpnKZxDH2y74Jg8CtbFT8vuBlLGhU1tmuEI8mFTd_HjoxBXm1TMSjc6I1iHJwxpXPyPp-9bb8LvdY70bdJWxEWdzR43HagjsopRsERadvruIK2_n6lVE/s640/blogger-image--1417047246.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I sometimes add my favourite makeup to the page, or even create a separate cosmetics/skincare look book, if that season warrants it. Here I glued in a <i>Chanel </i>nailpolish I wanted, and then when I actually bought it, I cut out the front of the packaging and stuck that in, too!</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgygM5d4uWcalaOJUmRGD_8xF9dfC0uW5rOJNwZqrTPpXLX8uTLoYAr4qG9kica8Jw429OyvYIRrPPK22UaAQWpyWbdjZ4ebBvr9-JNkYiKhBUd2hIrGeANJ7lI4m50y5IOpQsSGiiKM/s640/blogger-image-583603826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgygM5d4uWcalaOJUmRGD_8xF9dfC0uW5rOJNwZqrTPpXLX8uTLoYAr4qG9kica8Jw429OyvYIRrPPK22UaAQWpyWbdjZ4ebBvr9-JNkYiKhBUd2hIrGeANJ7lI4m50y5IOpQsSGiiKM/s640/blogger-image-583603826.jpg"></a></div><br></div><i>Black Pearl </i>is still one of my favourites, unfortunately, it was limited edition, and is now discontinued. (I have a tiny bit left, which I'm saving for a special occasion, but I'd better use it soon otherwise it'll be unusable. Sigh!) The product may be no more, but at least I have the memory and proof of owning it all there in my journal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another simple way I add colour and pictures to my notebooks is, of course, photographs! Sometimes, it's via professional prints, often it's from my own home printed snaps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I occasionally use normal A4 photo paper in my main home printer, adding a number of smaller pics to one sheet, ready to cut out and use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The old way I worked, almost on a daily basis, was with my tiny <i>Polaroid Pogo</i> pocket printer with 3x2inch sticky-backed <i>Zink</i> photos, as shown here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HDnS-PSMPSbBvMa78zZa26WQOGThZi6OjAqFgjosjJ5Hpt5CM6hiOSaLuK9ZooLsDjii4hqAkHMctRImlptz0eMDWAihMcuH3zBhBeufRLOabKXDUYsAGVtbISeJWSr4fI8QmxV1Aos/s640/blogger-image-1845580217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HDnS-PSMPSbBvMa78zZa26WQOGThZi6OjAqFgjosjJ5Hpt5CM6hiOSaLuK9ZooLsDjii4hqAkHMctRImlptz0eMDWAihMcuH3zBhBeufRLOabKXDUYsAGVtbISeJWSr4fI8QmxV1Aos/s640/blogger-image-1845580217.jpg"></a></div><br></div>That's a great way to add atmosphere to a page. All I've done here was take a quick snap of this beautiful coloured glass tea-light candle holder showing the light from the flame bouncing off the walls. I was writing about the winter crisp dark nights and how lovely it was to be snuggled in at home after a day's Christmas shopping. It seems to add extra dimension to the words. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One note: when I've gone back to the books where I've inserted a lot of <i>Zink Pogo</i> photos, I've noticed a strong stale smell that similar books of a similar age do not! It's a little off-putting, and can only be coming off these prints. Has anyone else noticed that?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm now using a <i>Canon Selphy CP910</i> photo printer for all my journalling and scrapbooking needs, which I'm really enjoying. Does anyone else use a different photo-only printer? I'd love to hear your recommendations. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I understand these are only two of many quick and simple ways of going beyond words in your journals, and knowing my very intelligent and clued-in Scribblers, I'm sure a sentence containing, "<i>Granny</i>" and "<i>Eggs</i>" along with "<i>Teach</i>" and "<i>Suck</i>" will probably come to mind, but I really hope you've enjoyed seeing inside my notebooks, and I hope to share more very soon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfCN9xEBuOJ-UHCuAUxfN-vJ23_gN_zqylEa_2Ayb_iknlpl7v00B9_UuwF5GWrJgZWM6mR3vURZriO9r5G0jE8wskJLiiydfsxIoGZ0sjegJc418yj6WAJM-RlBqm13CqoxIWm73DWk/s640/blogger-image-723996562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfCN9xEBuOJ-UHCuAUxfN-vJ23_gN_zqylEa_2Ayb_iknlpl7v00B9_UuwF5GWrJgZWM6mR3vURZriO9r5G0jE8wskJLiiydfsxIoGZ0sjegJc418yj6WAJM-RlBqm13CqoxIWm73DWk/s640/blogger-image-723996562.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Happy Scribing!</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)</i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. If you would like to see more of anything in this series, or would like me to discuss something else, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my Instagram photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about. </i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3. If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends. </i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4. You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram - @<b>TheCraftyScribe</b> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... </i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">*42 = Life, The Universe and Everything!</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><br></div>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-30723079226986830342015-10-22T12:16:00.001+01:002015-11-13T14:43:35.867+00:00Has My Little Box Jumped the Shark?*<b><i>Dear Scribblers</i></b><div><br></div><div>If you've followed me on <i>Instagram</i> (<i>@TheCraftyScribe</i>), you'll have noticed I've given a lot of time to <b><i>My Little Box UK. </i></b></div><div><br></div><div>This is a French company which offers monthly subscription boxes containing beauty and lifestyle items for £14.95 a month (that includes p&p). It has been operating in France and Japan a while, and in September 2014, it opened its doors to Britain. I was one of the early subscribers. </div><div><br></div><div>When I received my first box, I was overwhelmed, and my Instagram post reflected that, with the comment, "My, oh, my, oh, my!" Along with fab beauty goodies (<i>Nuxe</i>, <i>Laura Mercie</i>r and their own, <i>My Little Beauty)</i> came with a super glossy mini magazine, a laptop cover, and a <b>notebook </b>and <b>stickers</b> - be still my journalling techie heart!!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vo9rP2D6F_WTc7Up47-AvqbAoQAPiOT_-69u-pFUGoiGWYg7FXW_cNPN5N1UXE0sY7yn8UJZ0Xu6mKZ2-_V-XELLyK3AMj1w-zD2Nl6tqk9z2DRFa4oNE6RZjG_bGQuYEik71L3xOo8/s640/blogger-image--2049216942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vo9rP2D6F_WTc7Up47-AvqbAoQAPiOT_-69u-pFUGoiGWYg7FXW_cNPN5N1UXE0sY7yn8UJZ0Xu6mKZ2-_V-XELLyK3AMj1w-zD2Nl6tqk9z2DRFa4oNE6RZjG_bGQuYEik71L3xOo8/s640/blogger-image--2049216942.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/tsQGPdqwTu/">https://instagram.com/p/tsQGPdqwTu/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I adored the second box even more, with the fabulous collaboration with <i>Diane von Furstenberg</i>, receiving a gorgeous scarf and brooch, along with a decent selection of beauty items. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CnrSK3BMbh-sz-FIQzXw4uJvZA-COl3OC35CeaVb8GPpS2EhDriejy4yGgWqx6HeDCE7fz66-1LHmhz5Egi1S5fWue2Q6elKgVUNZoBnrx1m9eOTuBBkW9EqCjklr9ACSdA44BKQNBQ/s640/blogger-image-1797760748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CnrSK3BMbh-sz-FIQzXw4uJvZA-COl3OC35CeaVb8GPpS2EhDriejy4yGgWqx6HeDCE7fz66-1LHmhz5Egi1S5fWue2Q6elKgVUNZoBnrx1m9eOTuBBkW9EqCjklr9ACSdA44BKQNBQ/s640/blogger-image-1797760748.jpg"></a></div><br></div>This went on, and I continued to sneak in <i>Instagram</i> photos containing the occasional item found inside the subscription box, including this photo I took at the 8 month mark. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ziw1DAbV4zjpjBbYh9PCc7Pf3Nq8hzrHzzMFrFFF-2VboBy7F2aKlR4Q-IQeroN9PcuIEKPJV5lQlNUFojYOVGdw4RfU7RxPkU_BvTvkY0lloDMDrU7SpmkQN02Y4E0mC9keX_x8pmQ/s640/blogger-image-670759100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ziw1DAbV4zjpjBbYh9PCc7Pf3Nq8hzrHzzMFrFFF-2VboBy7F2aKlR4Q-IQeroN9PcuIEKPJV5lQlNUFojYOVGdw4RfU7RxPkU_BvTvkY0lloDMDrU7SpmkQN02Y4E0mC9keX_x8pmQ/s640/blogger-image-670759100.jpg"></a></div><a href="https://instagram.com/p/1xy56rqwb0/">https://instagram.com/p/1xy56rqwb0/</a></div><div><br></div><div>I'd received some amazing parcels, including collaborations with <i>Ines de la Fressange</i> and <i>Fleur de Force</i> (although FdF was just the face, and the item collaboration in that box had been with French blogger, '<i>Make My Lemonade</i>'.</div><div><br></div><div>Inside by now, the lifestyle bits had included: a mini-mug, phone holder, calendar, and - be still my <b>stationery</b> loving heart - <b>pattern paper tape</b>, superhero <b>stickers</b>, multiple-message <b>stamp</b> and <b>ink pad</b>. The beauty items had some additional impressive names of <i>By Terry</i>, <i>Kérastase</i> and <i>La Roche-Posay.</i></div><div><br></div><div>One change had been our lovely glossy mini-mag had changed to a cheap recycled paper poster fold-out style, with no word as to why by <i>My Little Box</i>. Strange, as the French version of their box continued to receive the glossy version. </div><div><br></div><div>Over the next few months, even though I found that not every box lived up to the standard they had set themselves in the beginning, <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I continued to subscribe and post photos on <i>Instagram</i>. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBytAmvyyZzWgQ0-1LyoJNWJw3Qb3Nk2BLbN1kTvHnLeAdah6HKStBfobWTc2wP18GEc34b1b4IGtTf-fdvJWN2rLS99Bav2XcayQS7US2v5PdE8KlX7l277IHpcHkcAn4AvuWuVEXjs/s640/blogger-image-500566750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBytAmvyyZzWgQ0-1LyoJNWJw3Qb3Nk2BLbN1kTvHnLeAdah6HKStBfobWTc2wP18GEc34b1b4IGtTf-fdvJWN2rLS99Bav2XcayQS7US2v5PdE8KlX7l277IHpcHkcAn4AvuWuVEXjs/s640/blogger-image-500566750.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGGVrW8BHt-sBbBltfJRYAFn5tciqfV2oE0xYKjYQZy9hvQST46KWCawgkegZjxgXRpOPR8TlRK0Y-yd7BTxxpbttekbNCuZxEb3ijgTGHjEhSw00GBQKRlJiWuv37gwsyUL3zy54ZYg/s640/blogger-image--1368418205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGGVrW8BHt-sBbBltfJRYAFn5tciqfV2oE0xYKjYQZy9hvQST46KWCawgkegZjxgXRpOPR8TlRK0Y-yd7BTxxpbttekbNCuZxEb3ijgTGHjEhSw00GBQKRlJiWuv37gwsyUL3zy54ZYg/s640/blogger-image--1368418205.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I've noticed a change in the quality of the boxes. The collaborations have been not as high profile and with companies we don't know of, but sometimes this can be a good thing, as you discover fab new items. Like I said, sometimes, not all the time. </div><div><br></div><div>The same goes with beauty items, lots of unknown names, although I received a lip/cheek mousse from a company called <i>So Susan</i> - Colour Hybrid in Marsala - and it's an amazing velvet matt in a perfect shade for me. It's in my top 5 lip products ever!</div><div><br></div><div>It also doesn't mean that just because a company is well known that you're going to always like the products. Take me and <i>L'Occitane</i> - I'm not a fan, so their colab on the Provence box was never going to be my favourite. Although, from what I read on the <i>MyLittleBoxUK</i> Facebook page, others were unhappy as the products in the box were being given away for free that week in UK <i>L'Occitane</i> stores! Another black mark. </div><div><br></div><div>I've stayed with my subscription as I've always found at least one or two items in the box as worth having. That is until this month. Unfortunately, <i>My Little Box</i> raised my expectations when they sent this email: </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMD1ZCA6hycIwoFo7gWZ2OjQ_Hq-ia6gQkqHVRNLvq8jL8C2M0nZg225Og8HXyFLAH-2zC3riC-PrrEjj-PEpQyL2lEg33w7zmHr8Wn3Ye5cBYuFRkzP0I4dnJ4JItwysEpa2kekNStw/s640/blogger-image--1426093399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMD1ZCA6hycIwoFo7gWZ2OjQ_Hq-ia6gQkqHVRNLvq8jL8C2M0nZg225Og8HXyFLAH-2zC3riC-PrrEjj-PEpQyL2lEg33w7zmHr8Wn3Ye5cBYuFRkzP0I4dnJ4JItwysEpa2kekNStw/s640/blogger-image--1426093399.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The email (sent on 7 October) went on to say this month's box was called the <i>My Little <b>Creative </b>Box</i>! Yippee! I thought, and Instagramed my excitement! <a href="https://instagram.com/p/8i3fx3qwab/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">https://instagram.com/p/8i3fx3qwab/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What was going to be in it? Maybe pens? A mindfulness colouring book? Sketch book? Little palette of paints? Maybe take the creativity into make up - cosmetic brushes? Or face paints for Halloween?... Not one bit of it!... Here's what I received on 22 October:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVoCSLY93Tt4QZzcTk85rofx-aFiG8I2fj1ShdMOy-3xmr1APKH2ZzSR8NJzMv5VugP30wKiTo1dagLU1cXOKVqju-r6mIi1ZPezZ-ladu01Czd0HwCzMwCDUlbhjnOXyCrQc1EH0cO0/s640/blogger-image--765366962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVoCSLY93Tt4QZzcTk85rofx-aFiG8I2fj1ShdMOy-3xmr1APKH2ZzSR8NJzMv5VugP30wKiTo1dagLU1cXOKVqju-r6mIi1ZPezZ-ladu01Czd0HwCzMwCDUlbhjnOXyCrQc1EH0cO0/s640/blogger-image--765366962.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Can you see anything to do with creativity there? No. It's all about promoting <i>Pinterest</i>! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">T<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">he paper poster magazine is full of photos and an interview with a <i>Pinterest</i> slant, as is the gorgeously illustrated by Kanako, as normal, quote card. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The lifestyle items have nothing to do with creativity. It's a jute bag with an advert on one side and "Collect moments not things" on the other, and a bag of tiny fiddly beads for sticking on your tech leads! They seem fine for a 8 to 12 year old, but for late teens and adults? Give us some respect! Plus the colours are more spring season - pastels - pink, blue, orange, cream grey, not quite right for autumn/winter, even if you were inclined to use them. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The beauty products are just a bit 'meh!' Almost every month (in the last 5 months), I've received a body cream. I mean, how many can one person use? Also, once again on their Facebook page, I see complaints of people receiving the exact same make and colour of nail varnish they received a few months back! Now, that's just sloppy data keeping. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I </font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">also don't agree with their comment in the magazine editorial that it's time to say goodbye to old-school scrapbooking. Do they not see the craze of daily <b>scrapbooking</b> with items such as '<i>Project Life</i>', <i>We r Memorykeepers</i> '<i>Albums Made Easy</i>' and their like? What about <b>smashbooking</b>? Or the out and out phenomena of <b>Pretty Planning</b> and the planneraddict and filofaxaddict communities?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">So has <i>My Little Box </i>truly 'jumped the shark'? Sigh! It's such a shame as they began so well. I always wondered if they would run out of steam. I had hoped not, but now I wonder... </font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">However, a fail in my eyes, does not make a disaster to all. I'm only one person, this is only my opinion, at this time. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I could give a knee jerk reaction and cancel my subscription, but I won't. I'm going to give <i>My Little Box</i> the benefit of the doubt, and give them another chance, and stay with them to the end of the year before giving my final verdict. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'll keep you posted!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i><b>Happy Scribing!</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">* (Wonder what 'Jumped The Shark' means? Check out this excellent Wikipedia page, it'll tell you all you need to know! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_shark 😃👍)</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1. Please note that I am not connected to any companies mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)</i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. If you would like to see more of anything in this series, or would like me to discuss something else, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my Instagram photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about. </i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3. If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends. </i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4. You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram - @<b>TheCraftyScribe</b> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... </i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">*42 = Life, The Universe and Everything!</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-58832231954214406142015-10-22T10:46:00.001+01:002015-10-22T10:47:54.378+01:00I'm back... again!<b><i>Dear Scribblers</i></b><div><br></div><div>I'm hanging my head in shame, and putting out my wrists to slap. It's been a long, long time, since I wrote on this site, but I assure you. I've still been around. </div><div><br></div><div>I have sort of defected to Instagram! Yes, I know it's a site for photos, but I've been using it more than than. I've also been putting up mini-blog posts on journalling, scrapbooking, creativity, beauty, fashion, sci-fi and lifestyle. The whole 42! </div><div><br></div><div>You can find me on Instagram as: @TheCraftyScribe </div><div><br></div><div>I think I found it easier to show a larger proportion of my personality there, than I had here. However, if you would indulge me, I'd like to continue as I have done on Instagram, but take some of those posts and expand on them here, for any of those who'd like to know more. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm still TheCraftyScribe, and I hope you are still my scribblers, as most of the posts will still be on writing, journalling and general musings, but with a little extra content sprinkled in. </div><div><br></div><div>Talking of Instagram, my next post will be all about a company I've featured a lot there. </div><div><br></div><div>I hope you'll join me on this new adventure together. </div><div><br></div><div><i>Happy Scribing!</i></div><div><br></div>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-77603971894353860512015-04-25T13:50:00.003+01:002015-04-25T13:57:32.949+01:00Personal Planner - The Diary with Multiple Personalities and Personalisation - plus discount code!Dear Scribblers<br />
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If you've been following me on Instagram - <a href="https://instagram.com/thecraftyscribe">@thecraftyscribe</a>, you'll know that I've been using an A5 planner from <a href="http://www.personal-planner.co.uk/EN/"><b>Personal Planner</b></a>. I've found this to be invaluable as my desk diary, as the pages are clean, crisp and of high quality. There's plenty of space, with the ability to use it in a way that works for you.<br />
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<a href="http://www.personal-planner.co.uk/EN/">Personal Planner</a> is an on-line company, which allows you to... well, do what their name implies! You can design a planner according to your own specifications from a wide range of options. There are four sizes to choose from, and you can decide exactly the month when you want it to start. Want it to run from June 2015 - May 2016? That's cool! How about September 2015 - August 2016? That's fine, too. More traditional, and you need your planner to do a full year of 2016? That's up to you. Any 12 month period can be chosen. Plus, they deliver worldwide!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rSrrW-1zn3FFaNCPlWEqsY0XeopcIMgCo5Jeogc06sAUnBjV4bBt0uMkfASf_y_yTpCmH_l9G69tpdMHLmtmb8z3Li-DWj_K77z1fi0ozbeYNj2LoWpd1RHX9NVLDl1CCZQKkh69XSE/s1600/2014-09-08+17.52.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rSrrW-1zn3FFaNCPlWEqsY0XeopcIMgCo5Jeogc06sAUnBjV4bBt0uMkfASf_y_yTpCmH_l9G69tpdMHLmtmb8z3Li-DWj_K77z1fi0ozbeYNj2LoWpd1RHX9NVLDl1CCZQKkh69XSE/s1600/2014-09-08+17.52.07.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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1. This is an overview of my planner. Although <a href="http://www.personal-planner.co.uk/EN/">Personal Planner</a> offers a number of different cover colours and designs, I made my own, using favourite photos, in an Apple Mac app called Collage Factory, and then uploaded the images to <a href="http://www.personal-planner.co.uk/EN/">Personal Planner</a>. If it's just a single photo you want, you can upload it directly from your computer, or if you have an Instagram account, <a href="http://www.personal-planner.co.uk/EN/">Personal Planner</a> offer a function to import your favourite photos to create a collage directly on their website. It can't be simpler than that! (You can also choose the colour of elastic for the the closure.)<br />
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2. The planner offers the opportunity to add a yearly view over 4 pages - either a single year or two years, e.g: 2015 or 2016 or 2015/2016 or 2016/2017. Plus, an added bonus, you can add personal dates, such as: birthdays and anniversaries, which appear on both the yearly overview and the weekly planner pages.<br />
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3. There's a front page for your contact details, and any message you want to add. I included one of my favourite quotes taken from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiderata">The Desiderata</a> by Max Ehrmann.<br />
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4. Then there's the main pages. <a href="http://www.personal-planner.co.uk/EN/">Personal Planner</a> only offer a weekly view, but this is where the limitation ends! Everything can be personalised from the top colour bar, to the layout (column format, as shown here, and a number of box formats) which can be lined, unlined, shaded one of a number of colours, add an hours-at-work box, exercise workout info, or like me, the weather. Then there's three sections below the daily section, which can be selected as graph, musical score, to-dos, ideas, exams, lists, dinners...<br />
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5 and 6. After the calendar pages, you can decide how you want the rest of the planner to look. I have lined and graph papers, along with a contact/address list. Yes, you can input all of your personal contacts and important numbers, and the planner will come to you with it all printed in, and ready to use. If you have quite a few contacts you want added, it can take some time to type it all in, as the database is a little fiddly to use, but once you get the hang of it, it's fine. There's also blank pages, sheet music, sudoku, maps and even colouring pages available to choose from.<br />
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If you're a teacher, you'll love the options of the specially designed sections for preschool, primary and subject 1 to 4 classes.<br />
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You really do need to click onto the 'START HERE' button on the <a href="http://www.personal-planner.co.uk/EN/">website</a>, and play around with all the options available, to see the full extent of how you can personalise your planner. It's addictive! Oh, and did I mention that there's notebooks available too? ;)<br />
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I'm enjoying using my planner. I write everything in it from appointments, daily timetables and to-dos, ideas, record of Instagram uploads, quick reminder notes, and in the notebook section: quotes, long term goals, poems and story ideas. I occasionally play with 'pretty planning' decoration, with stickers and wash-tape, but most of the time. It's just full of my scribbles. The pages have been designed so well, that they are already lovely to look at to begin with.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j1iWFtvShOCWGVdLJXA8FiIpxK6bZfl6Hd72nAFQ3C3IrNg2N0UHQeTzssCdc3J2WFZaBTs_3zBQsO91NNKbk25unH257v0XWxOjxUtodGrgVVj8ZuofpYjUEQibUeokK5gpJ7U2Tcw/s1600/2015-01-01+20.24.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j1iWFtvShOCWGVdLJXA8FiIpxK6bZfl6Hd72nAFQ3C3IrNg2N0UHQeTzssCdc3J2WFZaBTs_3zBQsO91NNKbk25unH257v0XWxOjxUtodGrgVVj8ZuofpYjUEQibUeokK5gpJ7U2Tcw/s1600/2015-01-01+20.24.55.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Are you excited about designing your own planner with <a href="http://www.personal-planner.co.uk/EN/">Personal Planner</a>? Here's something to help you along the way. <a href="http://www.personal-planner.co.uk/EN/">Personal Planner</a> has been kind enough to offer a 15% discount code for you to use against your planner or notebook. Please go to <a href="http://www.personal-planner.co.uk/">http://www.personal-planner.co.uk</a> and use the code: D-BMJQ-SQFJ to obtain your 15% discount. This offer expires on Sunday 3rd May 2015.<br />
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(In my next blog post, I'll show you how I turned my <a href="http://www.personal-planner.co.uk/EN/">Personal Planner</a> into the inserts for my A5 red Cuban Filofax organiser.)</div>
<br />The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-71216438839685847972015-04-18T11:08:00.001+01:002015-04-18T11:08:06.156+01:00Instant Murmurings from Instagram - an explanation and Èccolo World
Traveler Journal<div>Dear Scribblers, </div><div><br></div>A confession. <div><br></div><div>I haven't been very active on my blog for many months. You've probably noticed, haven't you? I know. I know. I promised that I was going to post soon, and come along with a brand new spanking look. Once again, I haven't. **Hangs Head In Shame** </div><div><br></div><div>However, I have been very active over on Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/TheCraftyScribe<div><br></div><div>In fact, I've been using that as a mini-blog, putting up all sorts of photos, and explaining and reviewing products, and generally, having a good old muse. </div><div><br></div><div>Do, I've decided that I'm going to add some of my favourite photos on here, along with a comment or two, which may be the same as you'll find on Instagram, or may be expanded on here to give an in depth look. So, here goes:</div><div><br></div><div><b>Èccolo World Traveler Journal</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinupoJh2CTdCN6nmKOVb8QAPVywUMoDD0qOB_UQ0ANHxbz_pD9UtYMxNGQAS6UL6QhaBuqYJJdHx0-rJJ12oPlSr2pODIchXZ4O47CzF2epvgGbdrrlcQQCsZZnJJI4REHSH_LZJAtFTs/s640/blogger-image--1999826643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinupoJh2CTdCN6nmKOVb8QAPVywUMoDD0qOB_UQ0ANHxbz_pD9UtYMxNGQAS6UL6QhaBuqYJJdHx0-rJJ12oPlSr2pODIchXZ4O47CzF2epvgGbdrrlcQQCsZZnJJI4REHSH_LZJAtFTs/s640/blogger-image--1999826643.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can't wait to start writing in this gorgeous A5 tomato red journal. It has cream lined pages and ribbon page marker. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I also love the internal gold chevron liner pages. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Bought it from TK Maxx for £6.99. A bargain! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I always adore the quality of Èccolo notebooks, and this one, once again, doesn't disappoint. If you'd like to see photos of the pages, please let me know. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Happy Scribing</i></b>!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-42578477612266571302014-06-30T19:29:00.001+01:002014-07-01T09:19:17.576+01:00Apple Accessories, Etc, Et Al and even more!Dear Scribblers <div><br></div><div>Yesterday I posted an updated look of my Apple technology.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmi1BXlNfQXEPGBIKSrv1oJe7-i3DI5Tzdjb17vhJ3tugLpK8vTirQZrbothTzQkqgEOyW0oGF0ieZnfraFwNMlxACydbnwNiy5tzZ5HCJKD9jP2CQqKnSt6Oxyb4xRXpgEh7yNIE4ik/s640/blogger-image--514945149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmi1BXlNfQXEPGBIKSrv1oJe7-i3DI5Tzdjb17vhJ3tugLpK8vTirQZrbothTzQkqgEOyW0oGF0ieZnfraFwNMlxACydbnwNiy5tzZ5HCJKD9jP2CQqKnSt6Oxyb4xRXpgEh7yNIE4ik/s640/blogger-image--514945149.jpg"></a></div>Here's my iPad and 11inch MacBook Air. If you'd like to read more, please link on this link: <a href="http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/a-byte-sized-look-at-my-apples.html?m=1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/a-byte-sized-look-at-my-apples.html</a></div><div><br></div><div>Today, I'd like to show you some of the products that support the main tech. Here's a picture of some of it - </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGKyubstA2cnS93kKFCRGv5pAsg-DF-2KCnNIY42Y0fN52CCo4PLRgGpdqilU1dAatI81viz9c10P_Eqhm8N5aJx4BhYrHaib2GpJIWwBJxrvDs8cIM3ACrNfetwZLM-AEYh_mdFWOPI/s640/blogger-image-434278966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGKyubstA2cnS93kKFCRGv5pAsg-DF-2KCnNIY42Y0fN52CCo4PLRgGpdqilU1dAatI81viz9c10P_Eqhm8N5aJx4BhYrHaib2GpJIWwBJxrvDs8cIM3ACrNfetwZLM-AEYh_mdFWOPI/s640/blogger-image-434278966.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Starting with clockwise with the top left-hand corner is my latest arrival - Canon Selphy. From what I've seen of it, up to this point, I'm very pleased with the quality and function. It's wi-fi compatible, plus with the free Canon iEPP app, you can print directly from the iPhone/iPad. When not in use, I store it in an old black quilted hard vanity case, you can see beneath the printer. It fits not only the printer and leads, but also a box of photo sheets and the instruction booklet. I've two niggles with the Selphy. You can't choose the multiple photo on one sheet function from the devices, nor can I use this an additional functions such as calendars/frames that came in the programme on the enclosed cd, as Canon is no longer supporting it for use on Apple OS X Macericks. Very disappointing! On contacting Canon, they offered a different product, but this has very limited functionality. The only way to use their multi-picture is to use the SD slot on the front. <i>Has anyone else encountered this? What are you using instead?</i> I'd love to hear your thoughts. </div><div><br></div><div>My main printer, not pictured, is also a Canon - MG3150 which I've never had any problems with. As well as being wi-fi compatible, it's also AirPrint which is perfect for using with my Apple devices. </div><div><br></div><div>Next across on my photo, sitting on the Lulu Guinness iPad cover, is what looks like a black ribbed brick! It's actually a Polaroid Bluetooth Speaker (model number BT20), it's sold via Asda supermarkets and only cost £20, but it certainly packs a bunch! Once fully charged, the unit's internal rechargeable batteries last a good while, so you can be wire-free and listen to your music or podcasts, it sounds as good with music or voice, and also has a phone hands-free function, too. It works well with my iPhone and iPad. Even though it's designed to be wire free, you can use it when it's plugged in, plus there's an AUX in port, if you want to use it with a non-Bluetooth device. I've had it for well over a year, and use it almost everyday and it's still going strong. My hubby has a Jawbone Jambox mini which cost £75, and although mine doesn't have quite the depth of bass and pure audio, it certainly gives it a run for its money! </div><div><br></div><div>Next round are my headphones of choice - JVC flats, they are compact with pivoting soft pad earpieces that lie flat and are easy to store. They are very comfortable and I like the clear sound quality. I'm not keen on the in-ear buds for long use, but I will use my standard Apple ones, if I need them out for taking calls, etc. However, at home; in the garden or bed, or if I'm listening for a length of time, such as on a plane, I'll always prefer my JVC ones. Interestingly, I've tried many pairs, including the expensive noise-cancelling type, or fine tuned base, and call me uncultured, but I love these. The price? £12!</div><div><br></div><div>Below my headphones is my slick little silver DVD/CD drive - Hewlett-Packard model DVD600s which cost about £35. It's a perfect size for use with the MacBook Air, <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and the colour matches too! When not in use, it lives in a net-a-porter.com black pouch! This then slides into the repurposed clutch with the laptop. (See yesterday's blog post.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Next to it is an one stalwart of my arsenal of tech gear. My Polaroid PoGo printer, this has had so much use, and still printing! I love the 3x2 sticky-backed photos it prints, perfect for scrapbooking, journalling, smashbooking and Project Life. Unfortunately, it seems that the zink papers are getting harder to find and more expensive too, so it may be at the end of its life, although it's been a workhorse. The only issue was you couldn't print directly from the iPhone, the Bluetooth wasn't compatible, so I'd upload the photos to my Mac via Dropbox and then Bluetooth then to the PoGo. It wasn't too much of a hassle for such useful photos. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The PoGo is sitting on top of a glossy black monolith that is my 1TB external hard drive. I keep this in my desk, and every month back up my computer using Timeline, plus I move photos and files across. This isn't my only backup, we have a wireless system across all our devices which holds much more than this. My monolith (I call it that as it reminds me of the one from 2001: A Space Odyssey) is for my personal use. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Next around the circle is my Samsung WB750 compact camera. It's a few years old now and had a lot of use. It's 12.5 mega pixels, takes sharp images, 24 - 432mm equivalent Schneider-KREUZNACH len, full HD video and clear 3 inch screen with easy to use controls. What I don't like about it is that the sound quality on video is quite poor and it hasn't got a proper viewfinder for those times when the screen is difficult to see. I really dislike holding the camera out in front of me, I prefer to have my eye up close. It wasn't something I realised until I had this camera. <i>What about you?</i> What I adore about this camera is it's incredible functionality and it's full manual use. Very impressive!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I'm going to continue using this camera, but I'm now ready for something better. I've had SLRs in the past - both film and digital, preferring Nikon. I don't know whether to go back to SLRs or try a bridge camera, as you don't need to faff with changing lenses, although for the purist professional, the image quality isn't as good. <i>What are your suggestions?</i> I'd love to hear from you. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Above the camera is a retro grey and black vinyl case I bought from Paperchase in a sale for around £3.50. Bargain! A perfect fit. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Last, but not least is my Kobo e-reader which I've now had for about two and a half years. I adore it, and have written about it before on this blog - here's the link: </font><a href="http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/i-love-my-kobo.html?m=0" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/i-love-my-kobo.html?m=0</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I still feel the same about it now, as I did then. I've considered moving over to Kindle, as they dominate the market and have lower prices on some books, but I prefer the functions of the Kobo, and it's vast array of file formats that work with it. It works as well now as it did when new, taking all the new upgrades with ease. Plus, have you seen the back of the Kobo touch? - </span><a href="http://www.kobo.com/kobotouch#overview" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://www.kobo.com/kobotouch#overview</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> It reminds me of my favourite designer... which is fortuitous as...</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Lying to the left of the Kobo is the leather case I use for it. It's a vintage Chanel clutch cover which I've had since the mid/late 1990s. It was a present and came to me second-hand. I think it was either a late 1980s or early 1990s piece, and was my first Chanel (non beauty) item. I love it. The Kobo fits it well, and it means I get to see and use the case everyday. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">So that's all the pieces in the photo. Not shown are the SD card reader; (which I think most people known what they look like,) I use these to download pictures to the computer, but also to upload onto for either printing directly and separately on the Selphy, or taking to a photo printing machine in a supermarket or store (which I don't do very often), or my USB drives; for quick short term storage or transfer between computers, or finally, my digital pen, which you can read about here - </font><a href="http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/popular-pens-for-particular-purpose-3.html?m=1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/popular-pens-for-particular-purpose-3.html</a></div><div><br></div><div>There's other devices in the house, such as the AppleTV, plus my hubby's tech stuff. Yes, we are both gadget geeks. What I've shown you here are my personal use tech. I hope you've enjoyed reading about it. If you can think of anything I'm missing, or would like to share your favourites, please add your comment below. </div><div><br></div><div>My next post with be all things stationery, showing you some of my favourite items I'm using in my journals, Filofax, smashbooking and daily scrapbooking. </div><div><br></div><div>When I upload a new blog post, I always announce it on Twitter and Instagram. Please follow me @<b>TheCraftyScribe</b> so you're first to hear and don't miss out. I hope you'll join me soon. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Happy Scribing!</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Important Notes</b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1. Please note that I am not connected to any company mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)</i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my '<b>Apple Accessories, Etc Et Al and even more</b>!' Instagram photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about. </i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3. If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends. </i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4. You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram - @<b>TheCraftyScribe</b> which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... *42 = Life, The Universe and Everything!</i></div></div></div>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-57553346470685273522014-06-30T14:22:00.001+01:002014-06-30T14:22:56.411+01:00A Byte Sized Look at My Apples!Dear Scribblers<div><br></div><div>Way back in July 2011, I uploaded this post: <a href="http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/my-favourite-things-part-5-and-project.html?m=0" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/my-favourite-things-part-5-and-project.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBtcdsOVh6cG0ipsPCgDAC_jka7mSBtV12jRpuBl37hHNvUx1WN1HzYkHjPi8JJQVud7eXcAxyMNGp1L5LEtONrpnF-PN2dI-2AcxRmdOEYMsFQLwGJXAh-qBnPmg6_AohEwMRS4Q57E/s640/blogger-image--1491915763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBtcdsOVh6cG0ipsPCgDAC_jka7mSBtV12jRpuBl37hHNvUx1WN1HzYkHjPi8JJQVud7eXcAxyMNGp1L5LEtONrpnF-PN2dI-2AcxRmdOEYMsFQLwGJXAh-qBnPmg6_AohEwMRS4Q57E/s640/blogger-image--1491915763.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">called, "There's an Appealing Apple Aparatus for that!" My titles haven't changed, have they? They may not be funny, but often punny (or should that be puny!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I felt it was time to show you my latest Apple tech, along with those cases and gadgets that I use along side them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This are my Apple collection now:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnG1FEd7gsCkYj4c7VJqUYaydy9-NA6sEx-EaBk2lEBDQG3Fay60sHtZShvNDWQ06V1nmgEJppFdfTrZhvFCAcL4qX3cDofkVgn_BQA_1qsoqlHNnXaNdjQzJtksiQC0d87sEYrN23cQ/s640/blogger-image--6453924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnG1FEd7gsCkYj4c7VJqUYaydy9-NA6sEx-EaBk2lEBDQG3Fay60sHtZShvNDWQ06V1nmgEJppFdfTrZhvFCAcL4qX3cDofkVgn_BQA_1qsoqlHNnXaNdjQzJtksiQC0d87sEYrN23cQ/s640/blogger-image--6453924.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You'll probably notice that I still have my original iPod Classic, which I use as storage, and the iPod Touch which lives in its dock on my Gear4 bedside alarm clock. I update it with my latest music, podcasts and keep all of my audiobooks on there, so they are always close to hand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As you can see - although it does look like a shiny slab in the photo. Please see better pics below - my 13 inch white MacBook was replaced in November by a gorgeous new 11in MacBook Air. Oh my goodness, I adore the speedy 251GB flash drive, and I have 8GB memory, 2GHz Intel Core i7 running Mavericks. Quite meaty for such a svelt machine. The white MacBook is still going by the way, although the casings in chipping around the front edge and it's only running "Lion". My hubby has taken use of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The iPhone 3GS was replaced my iPhone 5, and the one improvement I adore is the upgraded camera. Great for my Instagram photos. Please follow me @TheCraftyScribe, I try and post everyday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Plus added to my gadget collection is an iPad 2 - it's quite old now. Although it is taking all the new programme updates, I'm noticing it is slowing now and feeling clunky, but I'm still happy with it. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I've recently had a new back cover for it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzaCIFe4C4k0ip0_TbKae7OLvEnbyx56WMCQqvVtd9Yitee_eBInXlYqpKw_6wAcbJU3JZwb3a7mrTcTgRKl3duM5NLMV0kdtmov3MRJwkwMwbEzwsUv0W0FaVf8WwwxoQruzGWGu9JE/s640/blogger-image-214138682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzaCIFe4C4k0ip0_TbKae7OLvEnbyx56WMCQqvVtd9Yitee_eBInXlYqpKw_6wAcbJU3JZwb3a7mrTcTgRKl3duM5NLMV0kdtmov3MRJwkwMwbEzwsUv0W0FaVf8WwwxoQruzGWGu9JE/s640/blogger-image-214138682.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I found it in the sale items at Next for £5. A bargain! The colour doesn't show well on this photo, it's a beige/grey background with white, taupe and two tones of rusty red typewriters - quite subtle vintage shades. I thought it when well with my Lulu Guinness padded cover and pencil case. (Strange colours on the covers, too. The main one is white, but the smaller pencil case is light cream, but not as yellow as it's appearing.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The cover I'm using with my MacBook Air was also a bargain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp3J_-lkg-leAV22i8t264uhInJMe2dMzLtfa7Thhxu3thBHB_rfTGWLEqA1YD1t_yhqH00EbFlsY-fObVfvxxaLQbIt1TsE0_cMFn3mNkhRz_XYQXQRVnihtdWaL_61DGf4Ymdzvu50/s640/blogger-image--1018689223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp3J_-lkg-leAV22i8t264uhInJMe2dMzLtfa7Thhxu3thBHB_rfTGWLEqA1YD1t_yhqH00EbFlsY-fObVfvxxaLQbIt1TsE0_cMFn3mNkhRz_XYQXQRVnihtdWaL_61DGf4Ymdzvu50/s640/blogger-image--1018689223.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's a black/blue/cream clutch bag I snapped up in a sale at New Look... for £4! I bought it in the off chance that it might fit, I liked it anyway and thought if it didn't, I would use it as a clutch. When I tried it, I couldn't believe it, it was like it was made for it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The laptop slides in perfectly, so safe and secure, plus there's room for a separate hard drive and SD card reader (more on that tomorrow) and a small zip pocket on the front for holding USB drives and SD cards, plus a larger flap pocket for leads, although there's no room for the power supply. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm considering buying a snap-on cover to protect the aluminium case. I wonder what your experiences are of these? Are there any you would recommend?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You'll see from the photo, my iPhone is in the black quilted wallet style case. I prefer a case that protects the screen, as well as the back, and I like the sleek chic look of this one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As promised above, here's a better view of the MacBook Air - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOhY0z-IoDlgPmqroPkRMswkLtkdVUAGCC0Ut6zWR3Lh_SYNfIXn7Hz-lqRZ_XBPtj6m6CCZ2UnbqSWunMEsDSLD6z0P69CC7QE2N5k2zi2WMBX4X0x5z0H-9QN_WxJTeyexYlTbi6nY/s640/blogger-image-541786124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOhY0z-IoDlgPmqroPkRMswkLtkdVUAGCC0Ut6zWR3Lh_SYNfIXn7Hz-lqRZ_XBPtj6m6CCZ2UnbqSWunMEsDSLD6z0P69CC7QE2N5k2zi2WMBX4X0x5z0H-9QN_WxJTeyexYlTbi6nY/s640/blogger-image-541786124.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Do you recognise the pen lying on the iPad? It's the Ted Baker stylus pen, as seen in my previous blog series, "Popular Pens for Particular Purpose" <a href="http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/popular-pens-for-particular-purpose.html?m=0" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://thecraftyscribe.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/popular-pens-for-particular-purpose.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Please come back tomorrow to see all the gadgets which I use to support my Apple core products. (Apple?!? Core!! Geddit? Geddit?!? Oh, well! I think I need to watch where I drop my puns.) ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Happy Scribing!</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i><br></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Important Notes</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>1. Please note that I am not connected to any company mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)</i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><br></i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>2. If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my 'A Byte Sized Look at My Apples' Instagram photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about. </i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><br></i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>3. If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends. </i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><br></i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>4. You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram - @TheCraftyScribe which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... *42 = Life, The Universe and Everything!</i></span></div></div><br></div>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697201589231962474.post-68256528997867678912014-06-25T14:03:00.001+01:002014-06-25T14:11:23.813+01:00Popular Pens for Particular Purpose (Plus Personal, Peculiar and
Playful Picks ) - Photo Playback inc: new note & new picsDear Scribblers<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcQHtIOfYLtzGuX55wcVEPK0vaxE5rWgyXK-qPco39LW149WU5jfFm6W7tEzxuhX9b_p-8Am7imqITfhM2NRdtsrviZSCVHWKLU_3wSXqB32SkS7bieacqIMEQ43y_oMWaptTT_RUUA0/s640/blogger-image--1041185822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcQHtIOfYLtzGuX55wcVEPK0vaxE5rWgyXK-qPco39LW149WU5jfFm6W7tEzxuhX9b_p-8Am7imqITfhM2NRdtsrviZSCVHWKLU_3wSXqB32SkS7bieacqIMEQ43y_oMWaptTT_RUUA0/s640/blogger-image--1041185822.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div>I thought I would post all the photos from my <i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Popular Pens for Particular Purpose (Plus Personal, Peculiar and Playful Picks) </i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">series in one place so you can see all my favourite pens in one place. There's a new note and an extra picture along the way. As an extra treat, if you read all the way to the bottom, there's a further new photo I didn't post about my other pens. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">My older Balmain set, and my everyday Uni-ball gel pen for use in my Filofax. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9K53XhRL_aef0EIXE2Tv6lynX6k5Oen6lpo7yJygUOSV1HG9X7vbSfi2Pg1xTouCgzZeGCFTmVbBQgUuepmv4-e91aWXIVnWdcY7ceSsGig425so1rd85arJnMam4Br_EfeQ-kqS-ws/s640/blogger-image-1942662231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9K53XhRL_aef0EIXE2Tv6lynX6k5Oen6lpo7yJygUOSV1HG9X7vbSfi2Pg1xTouCgzZeGCFTmVbBQgUuepmv4-e91aWXIVnWdcY7ceSsGig425so1rd85arJnMam4Br_EfeQ-kqS-ws/s640/blogger-image-1942662231.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My other Filofax pen, Ted Baker stylus pen.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-hsNVq-LvW304UIWIv-oPlcAnlWxLdznF67gHw93MZ8xncRpATKi2n9xLNrbdmLPjR_cHiUpLQhDwg6_JZBTFZjukBhDNqlQxmEUaQ1G9BSkAJjU3c6kO0TvPsumAf5XwNHM9rdaLjE/s640/blogger-image-1700332589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-hsNVq-LvW304UIWIv-oPlcAnlWxLdznF67gHw93MZ8xncRpATKi2n9xLNrbdmLPjR_cHiUpLQhDwg6_JZBTFZjukBhDNqlQxmEUaQ1G9BSkAJjU3c6kO0TvPsumAf5XwNHM9rdaLjE/s640/blogger-image-1700332589.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Stylus Pen in use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kTTPeuypAxvaVe9-_LMJZTykyd-N3FyogIxkRs62TxRzxS82X0A9SRv5vdlKvDsZDTBkNQjl7OhBZX3fVE2igBi6_tYpmKon4mv_CoUZ7nkXYxmCKYivXPhWgAUHzKvbecUUSRIUrsM/s640/blogger-image--514974632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kTTPeuypAxvaVe9-_LMJZTykyd-N3FyogIxkRs62TxRzxS82X0A9SRv5vdlKvDsZDTBkNQjl7OhBZX3fVE2igBi6_tYpmKon4mv_CoUZ7nkXYxmCKYivXPhWgAUHzKvbecUUSRIUrsM/s640/blogger-image--514974632.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Smythson wafer diary and matching ladies pen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rRzZwNJd5bln9l3J9XwuEPk_UVfmw_0UkVY2r7o3BslJXJPuHmAPimKxeRx2nQucNfkXQjYX7Jbt9ISMCTUqGsuGfkVkFijxDrQLImKdpkigGLGN7RnV0wxbr14gwnV0c_u49AwfsQ0/s640/blogger-image--775912928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rRzZwNJd5bln9l3J9XwuEPk_UVfmw_0UkVY2r7o3BslJXJPuHmAPimKxeRx2nQucNfkXQjYX7Jbt9ISMCTUqGsuGfkVkFijxDrQLImKdpkigGLGN7RnV0wxbr14gwnV0c_u49AwfsQ0/s640/blogger-image--775912928.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Smythson jotter and silver pen. <i>Additional note, that I didn't mention in my previous post: </i>This leather jotter was a special release for Concorde! I remembered the pen did come with the cover, and has Concorde logo engraved on it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyNCG9GC9KlLYpFqNba2w86sCq_iTgmoG_Yag7d1GDUnGjXIMn4JlnjJzeCCJzIacq3Vu2leO2L-OaZWeo6G8jOSJidKyYkD90hABOxzbOw7TiBOis_WVunair31fHTK0ruwTUJH4Aww/s640/blogger-image--301924807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyNCG9GC9KlLYpFqNba2w86sCq_iTgmoG_Yag7d1GDUnGjXIMn4JlnjJzeCCJzIacq3Vu2leO2L-OaZWeo6G8jOSJidKyYkD90hABOxzbOw7TiBOis_WVunair31fHTK0ruwTUJH4Aww/s640/blogger-image--301924807.jpg"></a></div><br></div>My favourite journal pens, which are also my oldest (black and white) and newest (Balmain - duck egg blue.)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSm54RoeIWtdTf8uy0f27UFcd_03C0szPVItCYjkm2OKBJvnOYlanguc89OU96MmTJlk6LfUHu8mB5NAjagaPZ2VXs1lnmX_0THNh0goLOKnzebYzXogOShXdvJv_5qasckK_q8UnZmg/s640/blogger-image-527118814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSm54RoeIWtdTf8uy0f27UFcd_03C0szPVItCYjkm2OKBJvnOYlanguc89OU96MmTJlk6LfUHu8mB5NAjagaPZ2VXs1lnmX_0THNh0goLOKnzebYzXogOShXdvJv_5qasckK_q8UnZmg/s640/blogger-image-527118814.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My Chanel pencil case, general pens and stationery, plus the digital pen wallet. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyVY8dyiNqpac1OQOlXIoe8goB-bLnBZ4SH6A3f25NVPv843KfjSgO6rHFyYF_irWAxdh1jyUfaA6h01SqX14ajlEIDd0qpwvbdLlV0ET-Nc3qaN2K9AjQAERA5QkCnY0doJ_M-YhOw0/s640/blogger-image-1166272809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyVY8dyiNqpac1OQOlXIoe8goB-bLnBZ4SH6A3f25NVPv843KfjSgO6rHFyYF_irWAxdh1jyUfaA6h01SqX14ajlEIDd0qpwvbdLlV0ET-Nc3qaN2K9AjQAERA5QkCnY0doJ_M-YhOw0/s640/blogger-image-1166272809.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">IRISNotes2 Executive digital pen. </span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE0NV5K_d6ymZuRVA7rSqbMBKGODompB2V8Xb8UgeU92-m_ikkMEvkDyFs1XvcZRvTz-ub3d84eYmPv3usFbiZwRYvYeZGNi06GENk3BEs7-fCLV_kdYpNeukaqmZ6BeyokcUhoncwo8/s640/blogger-image--1196711485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE0NV5K_d6ymZuRVA7rSqbMBKGODompB2V8Xb8UgeU92-m_ikkMEvkDyFs1XvcZRvTz-ub3d84eYmPv3usFbiZwRYvYeZGNi06GENk3BEs7-fCLV_kdYpNeukaqmZ6BeyokcUhoncwo8/s640/blogger-image--1196711485.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bargain Asda supermarket notebook and file organiser, with colour ink and gel pens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFNmYInnvJSUlt6keDJoCZYX8kagSbvtHZvS8lyKOFl1dzeu4XfBMrfmnPRGSf2vKluZ40TxycxHq__NzfIC0xwQYOdYMsDM8l8asoeu4ot-L6_JqvybhKMTjXjNvoJMHm3bFa_ttuBo/s640/blogger-image-7867799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFNmYInnvJSUlt6keDJoCZYX8kagSbvtHZvS8lyKOFl1dzeu4XfBMrfmnPRGSf2vKluZ40TxycxHq__NzfIC0xwQYOdYMsDM8l8asoeu4ot-L6_JqvybhKMTjXjNvoJMHm3bFa_ttuBo/s640/blogger-image-7867799.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">New mini 'Passport' notebook with hotel freebies, promotional, memorable and sci-fi fantasy pens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_DUzaJqizC5o4mRJfL6KwKsIw2TLqHUrTq8yHv-F-1_1olCBT9p_9E_5tXQ5akyZEHUjrNgL9mJLAtEfImkh04x63mZPn0-23CoT1RsPIRQ-PInb8J1avdZNXFL_7baHgp149XJFXKA/s640/blogger-image-1981606602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_DUzaJqizC5o4mRJfL6KwKsIw2TLqHUrTq8yHv-F-1_1olCBT9p_9E_5tXQ5akyZEHUjrNgL9mJLAtEfImkh04x63mZPn0-23CoT1RsPIRQ-PInb8J1avdZNXFL_7baHgp149XJFXKA/s640/blogger-image-1981606602.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Close-up of my Harry Potter, Doctor Who and Star Trek pens. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXja_UvoEmHo6CzIjJMgvm0hcW8QhLKWZqQ2K-hUg2HiG_37WnUzS4-wb8gOO-uBBLGSn1xhM9_EKDsOhedHmCmMtyqd3w-QpoXkK86xcdpOS3liqfSc5HZphLi_QM5dz7JSQ3OpJJ0Gw/s640/blogger-image-1376668385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXja_UvoEmHo6CzIjJMgvm0hcW8QhLKWZqQ2K-hUg2HiG_37WnUzS4-wb8gOO-uBBLGSn1xhM9_EKDsOhedHmCmMtyqd3w-QpoXkK86xcdpOS3liqfSc5HZphLi_QM5dz7JSQ3OpJJ0Gw/s640/blogger-image-1376668385.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the photo I haven't posted before, in my previous post, I wrote:<i> I have further pens and pencils in my collection which are important and I use regularly in crafting, such as: charcoal drawing pencils, a variety of Sakura gelly roll pens, Whispers Strokes and Permanents coloured double ended felt tips, and various coloured drawing and watercolour pencils. </i>I thought you might like to see some of them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1pmG_qw2KNUUvSgK92UinUY-DQatMqtzHGY6bpS8W1OSEuFCgpBB8fzZv5PaoUgBtXZPiI1C7oJgWw1J_7aWMt5Hxl7fDcbRUurueIa8WWH3xc-ZET-rfkajM-Aado6sz9C1AUxLrro/s640/blogger-image-1364058811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1pmG_qw2KNUUvSgK92UinUY-DQatMqtzHGY6bpS8W1OSEuFCgpBB8fzZv5PaoUgBtXZPiI1C7oJgWw1J_7aWMt5Hxl7fDcbRUurueIa8WWH3xc-ZET-rfkajM-Aado6sz9C1AUxLrro/s640/blogger-image-1364058811.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I hope you've enjoyed this series. I'll be back soon to show you some of my favourite stationery extras, along with those technology ephemera that's used along side my photo, iPad and computer. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Enjoy writing and crafting wherever you are!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i>Happy Scribing!</i></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><i><br></i></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><b>Important Notes</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br></div><div><i>1. Please note that I am not connected to any company mentioned in this post. I do not receive any products, funding or gifting from these businesses. All products shown have been bought by me, or gifts from family or friends. I mention the items because I like them or have my own private opinion about them. It's just little old me talking about ma stuff! ;-)</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>2. If you would like to see more of anything in this series, please write a comment below, or 'like' and leave a comment by my 'Popular Pens' Instagram photo, letting me know what you would like me to post photos and write about. </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>3. If you like what you read, don't forget to bookmark this site, and please share it with your friends. </i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>4. You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram - @TheCraftyScribe which I update regularly with all things crafty, scribbling, beauty, fashion, the cats, sci-fi, fantasy, and the ephemera of 42*................... *42 = Life, The Universe and Everything!</i></div></span></div>The Crafty Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000612878424277073noreply@blogger.com0