National Stationery Week - a week in pictures

So National Stationery Week is over again for another year!  Did you have fun, I know I did!  I thought today would be a good time to do a round up of all the days we celebrated together. 

My stationery themed jewellery for the week

In honour of the seven days of stationery I wore my stationery themed jewellery with pride.  The name badge necklace is from Finest Imaginary in collaboration with Onr Shop and my pastel pencils pin is from Ip Dip Design on Etsy.  I love them both and received lots of compliments while wearing them!

Box of supplies from the NatSatWeek team

I was sent a huge box of stationery supplies by the NatStatWeek team and sponsors, it was filled with items which matched the themes for each day of the week.  I used these products to take photos based on the themes and shared them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter daily as well as my post for World Stationery Day. 

Monday - #makeanote

Monday's Make A Note day was sponsored by Nu:notebook and I was given this gorgeous pink Spectrum notebook.  I was out and about that day so I took it with me and snapped this pic in the park.

SNT Thank you cards

Say Nice Things surprised me with this lovely set of Thank You cards, they come in packs of four and are perfect for sharing your gratitude with someone.  I can't pick a favourite but I love the little foil accents on each one!

Tuesday - #penandpencil

Tuesday was Pen And Pencil day, sponsored by Staedtler.  I used a couple of their pigment liners for this shot along with my copy of Stationery Matters. 

Wednesday - #stationerytheworldover

For World Stationery Day I made a paper clip out of felt shaped like the Earth and then surrounded it with lots of stationery goodies!  I have made myself lots of plushie paper clips over the years, all based on this tutorial by the lovely Mrs Brimbles if you are interested in making your own.  #stationerytheworldover was sponsored by the Stationery Show London, I really wish I could have visited this year but the dates just didn't work out *pouts*, maybe next year!

My personalised paper clip

During the week I received this amazing paper clip from Handcrafted by Sheree, she also sent me the die cut of my blog logo that I used in my photo for World Stationery Day.  Aren't they cute?

Thursday - #workhappy

Thursday's Work Happy day was sponsored by Mustard who have the perfect range of products for brightening up your desks!  I love the doggy page markers and rainbow sticky notes so much but the T-Rex highlighter is my favourite, it's just too cool!

T-Rex highlighter in use

I use highlighters a lot in my bullet journal so I tested this one out on Work Happy Day and wrote over the top of it with my Artline calligraphy pen as if it was going to be the header/title for a section in my notebook.  It writes very nicely and is comfortable to use.

Friday - #aplaceforeverything

I think this year was the first time Santoro have been involved with NatStatWeek, they sponsored A Place for Everything day.  I used some of their cute products for this photo but now my eldest daughter has claimed the A4 folder for her art work and my youngest has her eye on the pencil case and Clipboard planner!  Ah the joys of raising stationery addicts!

Saturday - #getcrafty

Saturday was Get Crafty day and Crafters Companion sponsored this one.  They sent me a set of dual tipped Spectrum Noir metallic markers in precious metals and these pens are brilliant for working on coloured cards and paper.  The inks really stand out against darker backgrounds and are very nice to work with. 

Sunday - #signaturesunday

Signature Sunday was sponsored by Cross so I used the super swish Bailey ballpoint pen they sent me to write a quick blog post.  Click on the photo to enlarge it if you want to take a peek.  The Bailey pen also came with it's own leather case so I will be able to pop it in my bag and not have to worry about scratching the black lacquer or chrome areas.

Personalising my notebook

The end of National Stationery Week made me feel sad so I cheered myself up by personalising my new notebook using a couple of the Spectrum Noir markers.  Now every time I use it I will remember what a great time I had during NatstatWeek and look forward to NSW19!

How did you celebrate this special week?

Thanks for stopping by!

My favourites - 2016

Hello!  Happy New Year!  I wanted to kick things off with round up post of some of my favourite products of 2016.  

Favourite pen

So it has to be my Lamy Safari fountain pen I was given to review last year.  I love this shade of green, it reminds me of the first shoots of spring every time I use it! 

Lamy Safari fountain pen

Favourite planner

My favourite is still my Van der Spek custom organiser, it's coming up to 18 months in this planner now and I'm still very happy in it.  The leather has developed a nice shine with continued use and it still smells fantastic.

Van der Spek custom organiser

Favourite pencil case

I used to have one of these in pink but after a couple of years it was a bit grubby and looking worse for wear so I replaced it with this lovely blue one.  As far as I know these do not have a brand name, I found mine on eBay by searching for a "travel passport case" and hundreds of them popped up!  They have so many handy little pockets and slots for my stationery, perfect for on the go planning.

Pencil case

Favourite stamps

I'm cheating a little here and picking two sets of stamps as my favourites this year!  I love these Documenting the everyday #1 and #2 sets, I use them all the time in my travellers notebook.  I think they are really fun and brighten up journal entries.

Documenting the everyday stamp sets

Favourite colouring pencils

No one is allowed to borrow my Staedtler noris colouring pencils, they are mine, all mine *insert maniacal laugh here*  they are such vivid colours and blend beautifully on all different types of paper!

Favourite notebook

I have a little notebook addiction, if I spot a pretty one I always buy it even if I can't think of a use for it straight away.  This gorgeous shimmer accents notebook from Go Stationery is very stylish with it's gold polka dot cover and the luxurious cream paper inside is thick and smooth to write on.

Go Stationery Shimmer accents A5 notebook

That's it for my 2016 favourites, I can't wait to share with you some new bits and pieces I find this year too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Write A Letter Day - win Staedtler rainbow ballpoint pens! *Now closed & the winner announced in the comments*

So today's the day, it is the last day of National Stationery Week 2016.  That's it for another year now and I kind of feel a little sad, but it isn't over just yet because today is Write A Letter Day and I want you to pick up a pen and get writing!  Who haven't you spoken to in a while?  Who would love to receive a note from you in the mail?  Go and find your best paper and pens and make someone's day!  

My letter is on it's way

One of the main aims of National Stationery Week is to get people to enjoy writing again.  They have shared lots of posts over the week about why writing is important and why people feel passionately about it, you can read my thoughts on this here if you missed it on Wednesday.  

Ok, so on to my last giveaway of the week.... Olivia from Staedtler gave me this pack of rainbow ball pens to give to one of you today, aren't they colourful?

Staedtler rainbow ball pens

If you would like to win this set please tell me who you would like to write a letter to today, it can be anyone in history, alive or dead, famous or not, it's up to you.  Here are the rules:

• Tell me who you would like to write a letter to today.
• I will number the comments and use random.org to pick a winner.
• This giveaway is open internationally. 
• The giveaway ends at 12pm UK time on the 10th May 2016.
• I will announce the winner on this post on the 11th May 2016.
• This is the only prize (for today) - there is no cash alternative. 
• If the winner doesn't contact me within 72 hours of my announcing the winning entry, I will have to draw a new name.
• If you are under 18 years of age please ask your parent's permission before entering the giveaway.
• These pens are brand new and unused but I have taken them out of their packaging to photograph them.  The winner will receive the eight Staedlter ballpoint pens pictured in this post.

Good luck!

I'll be back later today with one last review for you so keep an eye out for that!

Hand Made Day - Staedtler Triplus Fineliner review & giveaway *Now closed & the winner is announced in the comments*

Hello!  I was a little stumped over what to do for today's hand made theme so in the end I decided to talk about these Staedtler Triplus Fineliners because, well, I use them when I am colouring in (with my hand!) so whatever I do with them becomes hand made.  That works doesn't it?  Yes?  Ok, lets carry on then! 

Staedtler Triplus Fineliners

The Triplus Fineliners are brilliant for colouring in an adult colouring book because they have a 0.3mm tip.  This makes them perfect for small, intricate designs and patterns which can be difficult to fill in with a pencil crayon.  Also colouring with the fineliners gives you a much brighter look than when you use pencil crayons, the whole image jumps off the page because it is so vibrant!

Vibrant colours

Staedtler's fineliners have an ergonomic triangular shaped body so they are comfortable to use over a long period of time and it makes them easier to grip.  The case they come in also converts into a handy stand so you can get the pens out quickly and simply in one smooth move.

Triplus Fineliner pen test

The fineliners aren't just for colouring either, they make a nice writing pen too!  I love using coloured pens in my planner to make things stand out on the page and these do the job nicely!

The prize

If you would like to win this four pack of Triplus fineliners then tell me which birthday Staedtler UK is currently celebrating (hint, you can find the answer on their Facebook page).  Here are the rules:

• Tell me which birthday Staedtler UK is currently celebrating.
• I will number the comments with the correct answer and use random.org to pick a winner.
• This giveaway is open internationally. 
• The giveaway ends at 12pm UK time on the 9th May 2016.
• I will announce the winner on this post on the 10th May 2016.
• This is the only prize (for today) - there is no cash alternative. 
• If the winner doesn't contact me within 72 hours of my announcing the winning entry, I will have to draw a new name.
• If you are under 18 years of age please ask your parent's permission before entering the giveaway.

Good luck!

Pencil Day - win Staedtler pencils! *Now closed & winner announced in the comments*

Ok, keep calm, it's finally here.... welcome to National Stationery Week!  Day one is Pencil Day and I have some fab products from Staedtler to tell you about!

Pencils, pencils, pencils, it's Pencil Day!

If you went to school here in the UK during the 80's and 90's you will definitely remember using a yellow and black Staedtler HB pencil in your exercise books.  I remember one of my teachers used to use a stanley knife to take a strip of wood off the end of these pencils so you could write your name on it in pen and that way no one could steal your pencil and claim it as their own!  Receiving a pack of these pencils in the post triggered a huge wave of nostalgia in me and I have very fond memories of them.

Colouring in

I brought myself a set of Staedtler Noris pencil crayons back in January to use in my adult colouring book and when I decorate my planner pages.  I love how colourful they look and they are really pigmented so you quickly get the colour onto the page.  I have used cheaper colouring pencils before (like pound shop cheap!) and I found I had to keep going over the same bit time and time again to make the colour stronger so the Noris pencils are a joy to use!

  

Staedtler Noris colouring pencils - finished picture

I also like how blendable these pencils are, they give you the option to add tones and highlights to your pictures and then smudge them around a little until you get the desired effect.  I gave the snow a blue tint around the edges in the four seasons picture above and the rain cloud has a grey hue to it as well.  Using these pencils is a lot of fun when you are feeling artistic! 

  

Staedtler Noris colouring pencils

I received a second set of the Noris pencils from National Stationery Week so I want to give that set to away along with a pack of the HB pencils which Olivia from Staedtler sent to me.  To enter this giveaway please tell me a memory from your school days, I will pick my favourite to win the prize.  Here are the rules:

• Tell me a memory about your school days.
• I will pick my favourite story as the winner.
• This giveaway is open internationally. 
• The giveaway ends at 12pm UK time on the 4th May 2016.
• I will announce the winner on this post on the 5th May 2016.
• This is the only prize (for today) - there is no cash alternative. 
• If the winner doesn't contact me within 72 hours of my announcing the winning entry, I will have to pick a new winner.
• If you are under 18 years of age please ask your parent's permission before entering the giveaway.
• Both sets of pencils are brand new and unused but I have taken them out of their packaging to photograph them. The winner will receive five HB pencils and twelve Noris colouring pencils as pictured in this post.

Good luck! 

I will be back tomorrow for Get Organised Day, see you then!