u/dkmusic378

So many firsts in my late night journaling: First time using a stub nib and a fude nib, first time using shimmer ink, and first ever commonplace entry!

Technically I’ve attempted a commonplace before, but this feels like the first “complete” entry I’ve ever done, and also special because it’s something I will want my loved ones to know I was passionate about if they look through my notebooks one day. I’ve been collecting bits of knowledge about pens, ink, and other stationery things and now am finally starting to turn it into a fond memory of using my physical collection.

I’m already thinking of getting a new stub nib because the TWSBI isn’t juicy enough for me… could be the FWP ink reducing the flow, but I’m still considering an Opus 88!

Items used: TWSBI ECO Crème <1.1> Sailor Fude de Mannen 40 degree Zento Signature Mark’s EDIT Grid notebook (cut down to TRC Standard size) Sarica Studio fountain pen stickers Inks: Ferris Wheel Press LOTR Verdant Voyage, Kakimori Pigment Ink #10 “koton”

Obsessed with how these tabs from Suatelier look with the Starlight Weeks 🤩 I used the same ones in black/gold for 2026, and they held up super well.

For 2027 I got the silver version, and they pair even better with this cover because of the silver accents throughout the design!

Went in this morning about an hour after they opened and it was super chill shopping there! There were more accessories hanging up on the wall too that I didn’t snap a pic of.

I ended up getting the starlight weeks, Kakimori ink bottle, collage stamp, pocket envelope, and the collage corner stickers.

2027 designs coming out soon has me rethinking how to use my monthlies which I never use… Keeping track of money and planning for the financial future has always been super overwhelming for me. I could never keep up with a digital spreadsheet, and other paper systems, I burnt out because of having too many steps/an unapproachable routine. This is my attempt at a bare bones budget tracking: my three goals are to write down what I spend, encourage short and long term savings, and make a habit of this whole budget thing. If it turns into something more down the line, then my experiment will have worked! Tried to develop this with as few steps and supplies as possible so I have no excuse to not do it 😅 if you have any paper planning budget tips that have worked for you I’m curious!

Got inspired by a local shop’s swatch book layout, and since ink swatch cards don’t provide much writing space, decided to switch things up. I would’ve used more paper swatches, but it is a little time consuming to cut and paste everything. So I stuck with the other three types I use most.

Used a paint brush, Wearingeul glass pen, Kakimori dip pen, a pilot iro-utsushi dip pen to make these layouts in a TRC spiral note MD Paper White A6.

My husband got me a “just because” gift today — loved this pen when I saw it on sale at Eslite Bookstore in Hong Kong a few years ago, but at the time I didn’t have any more spending money for our trip. He’s always been more hesitant to buy me pen related things because he doesn’t know much about it, but he remembered this one and was so thoughtful! I’m “over the moon” 🌟🥰 I can’t stop staring at these gorgeous maki-e details.

This is my first Platinum pen, and I haven’t inked it up yet, so any suggestions on ink brands that pair well with platinum nibs would be super appreciated!

Just wanted to share how I am using a non-TRC refill in my passport size! Started using my passport TN as a catch-all pocket notebook (jotting down anything and everything — reminders, lists, ideas, doodles, etc.). My refill of choice at the moment is a King Jim Hitotoki Note. There are definitely drawbacks to this notebook in a TN, but once I figured out how to get it to sit flush like a normal refill would, it’s been great to use. (How i did it: put the zipper refill through the TN band —> cut open the pocket side of my TRC zipper refill to create a book-cover like opening for the notebook —> slide the back cover of the notebook into the zipper refill pocket through the cut i made)

I like the grid size of the Hitotoki Note, the amount of pages, and the placement of the box for dates/titles. For me it’s easier to navigate my notes with this page layout because of the date box being larger and in the same place on each page. The binding does lay flat nicely, and it’s also the perfect thickness in my opinion. Now my pocket notebook will fit in any pocket or bag without any bulk!

I have yet to test the paper with more fountain pen inks (currently using LAMY Petrol in an EF nib) but I’ll admit that it is not the best paper for fountain pens. No feathering or bleeding, but the ghosting is sometimes a little much. And it doesn’t feel quite as nice to write on as MD or other fountain pen-friendly papers. It does the trick though, and it’s not an issue for me as I’m writing quick little things most of the time.