I have a habit of collecting notebooks and journals, I love the sound of putting fountain pen to paper but more of that later.
As we go into a new year I see all the ideas floating around the internet for fresh starts, new plans and setting goals.
New Years resolutions, maybe giving up something you know is not good for you, maybe cutting down on the carbs or dark chocolate, in my case . Maybe trying dry January - I don't drink much so that is easy. I do embrace Veganuary, we don't eat much meat in my house and I am allergic to dairy products so it makes that one quite easy.
It got me thinking of what my biggest vice is next to crinkle cut crisps and dark chocolate...it has to be my love of stationary, well notebooks and journals really. Can you call it vice/ a weakness? In a way yes, I can't walk past a bijou stationary boutique, either online or in the city without pausing and getting lost for a while, then parting with some cash. Give me a beautifully bound notebook and a fountain pen and I am one happy lady. I don't see it as a bad thing, except the quantity maybe, I do have to declutter my shelves of them quite often. Luckily I have my own office so I an keep quite a collection. I am a lot more choosy now with my notebook purchases, I avoid mass produced ones if possible, they must be well made, ideally handmade, the paper has to be thick to allow for my fountain pen scribbles. There is nothing more satisfying than finishing a notebook, followed by a tinge of sadness as you put it on the shelf, knowing it will be rarely picked up again and it's purpose is to now just look pretty, followed by the excitement of opening the new, clean, perfect one! A new notebook is like the new year to me, full of possibilities and adventures, I just fill them up quicker than a year meaning lots more possibilities than the annual new year ones.
Embracing my love of my fountain pen scribbles - I am in the midst of writing my thank you cards, to family and friends far and wide. Again another passion of mine, handwriting cards, sending them the old fashioned way, supporting my local post office too. Who doesn't like to receive something other than a bill in the mail, especially in January? This year I got a new fountain pen, I am just loving the colour and the nib, the sound it makes as I write, so I am even happier. You see, simple things.
I am writing a mix of my own cards, for the horse and dog loving gift givers and then some beautiful illustrated ones, the creation of a super talented friend of mine Helen Wiseman. See her offerings here.
Do you send handwritten notes?
I am changing my greeting card supplier this year, for a more eco friendly one, that are part of the Woodland Trust project and based in the South West. I am thinking of getting a range of postcards made up too for selling at events, let me know if you are interested. If you are keen to get pen to paper just like me, I can put together a bundle of cards just for you.
Happy New Year, Fx