Things I'm Loving - The Give Aways Continue

Hello lovelies......I'm back..... 

Thank you so much for all your kind and loving comments below Sunday's post. Truly THANK YOU! My heart is overflowing with true gratitude.

I'm finally feeling the Christmas spirit. I have the best Christmas-Tree story to share.... soon...it's so good!! I'm pretty close to bursting about it..... Stay tuned.

As promised I must announce the winner from Sunday's give away. I'm excited to send a copy of The Natural Home to ...... Beverly....

To prevent confusion....in case there's more than one Beverly in the comments.... here's Beverly's sweet note.

Congrats Beverly.... send me a quick email and I will get you 'hooked up'......

Today I wanted to share a lovely discovery.... new site to me.... Minted.

Here's minted's philosophy....
"Our purpose in life is to uncover exceptional design from all over the world and bring this to savvy consumers who won't accept anything else."

Love that!!

Anyhow, Minted offers the sweetest print designs....many are customizable.....one of my favourite offerings ....the personalized journals..... Here's a peek at a few....I really love. I've ordered a few myself for friends.....

This brings me to today's give away....I'd love to send a journal to one lucky winner....The winner can pick from any of the journals on the site. Take a peek, here.

To enter, leave a comment below.....
Tell me...what do you prefer.... to journal with, make lists, take notes...??
pencil; mechanical or traditional, pen, fine liner, sharpie.....
if you have a favourite pen, pencil or marker, please share......

I'm a mad stationary/supply junkie...... Honestly if i don't have just the write pen or pencil, even when making a quick list...I will go looking for it..... It's that important..... 'smile'

scroll down to read my follow-up confession...written after I read your comments.... 'smile'

Today's give away winner will be announced on Thursday.

Lately my favs are the Bic Reaction mechanical pencil and Sharpie pens! I could go on....I have several favs......but I will stop myself for now....

Okie doke.... until next time....

so much love.....

xo,

p.s. I almost forgot... a little homespun-christmas e-Tag download..... Click HERE to grab it.

Update on December 18 by Kim Klassen

after reading all these fabulous comments....I'm bursting to buy one of every suggestion...
oh my....

and now that I know I'm not alone.... with my 'statinary supply' obsession....I must confess......
I've been known to put people on hold ....while I find the 'perfec't pen or pencil to write down their message

xo, Kim

Comments

[Sharon K]

I love journals for listing as well as scratching out art ideas. I really love them to record my poetry.
Writing tool...? lists can be done a traditional, but thin pen; sketching is either in pencil or fine liner; poetry is always written out in a fine lined pen.
Even with all the technology, I still love a good journal! :)

[Kathy]

Oh, what adorable tags!! Thank you for the download! My favorite writing instrument lately is the Uni-ball Signo pens in fine point. LOVE them so much. I also love those pens with several colors in one pen made by Bic. I use that in bible study. Paper, journals, and pens/pencils are such a part of who I am. How can you choose just one? Right?!

[Chelsea]

I am the same way, I am SUCH a junkie...stationary, journals, notebooks, notepads, sketchpads...I use them for a combination of lists, thoughts, dreams, and writing down memories. I am definitely a pen person over a pencil person, and I actually really like the really cheap Bic pens! Also really fine ballpoint pens that have the really liquid-y ink. Those journals are adorable. Thanks for the fun gift tags! :)

[Carolyn]

Since I write small, I have to have a fine point pen. I usually use either a .38 or .5 Pilot G-2, and in blue (don't know why). I love a beautiful journal, but I write rather fast and my penmanship is rather lacking. Just trying to get it down on the page. Unfortunately, nothing artistic, but lots of words. Thanks for the give-away.

[Dori Melton]

I love to art journal with all kinds of paints, sprays, pens, markers, pencils and any other mark-making tools I can find. The messier the better. I find that it is a great balance to all the time I spend in front of the computer screen. I do like to photograph my art journal pages & add to them by doing digital art journaling too. Win-win! Speaking of which I would love to win one of those lovely journals. Thanks a bunch.

[Tina]

Thank you, thank you for giving away such sweet gift tags! So great... Each morning I write my morning pages (based on The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron) - three pages of all the muck that's inside my head. And my favorite pen to write down this muck is my Bic Round Stic Ball Point Pen :) I use my Ultra Fine Sharpies to write everything else in life - lists, notes, etc. AND, I can't leave Office Max without buying one...I have one of each color :) Happy holidays!

[amy of four corners design]

wow - what a great site Minted is - thanks for sharing...just looked at all of the journals - I like the one that says "Today sounds so much better than someday" I like having a journal for jotting down creative thoughts - especially when I am out and about and spy something that inspires me...perfect for drawing a little sketch that I can refer to later. And I am with you all the way about the writing instrument - I must have the right one! Its either mechanical pencil or fine tip pen - my current obsession are the Bic Mark-it with ultra fine point...especially the woodsy brown color (and I'm so disappointed that Staples stopped carrying them!).

I have just put away the last of the supplies//mess from holiday projects...now its time to enjoy the season! Cheers to you Kim!

[Cindi]

"Season's Greetings!" You tags are so fabulous...My best friend and I meet at least
once a week to create cards and these tags will make fun cards. The prim and shabby
chic looks are my favorite! I love to keep a journal, on a weekly basis and my favorite pens
are Martha Stewart's Archival Writing Pens. Love the fine point and the colors. My favorite
colors are her "Library Colors!"
Many thanks to you!
Cindi

[Andrea]

I'm a stationary nut too! My absolute favorite thing to write with is a German fountain pen that I bought myself a couple of years ago. There have been a few times that it has gone missing, and I've searched and searched until I found it. I feel like I can't write without it!

[Ana Eugénio]

these jounals are so precious I would use them to write my poetry. I usually use a favorite pen. thanks for the tags and the awesome giveaways. xxo

[Renee B]

Thanks for sharing the Web site! I took a quick look and I plan to go back and spend more time there! :-) I love paper...journals...and planners. I'm a list maker. I use journals for writing down thoughts and I'm always writing down quotes and poems that I find. I also am a pen and pencil nut :-) I alwas have at least 10 - 15 pens and pencils in my purse (I know...wierd huh! :-) I really like mechanical pencils. A couple of my favs are Twist-Erase by Pentel and Bic ReAction. I like ink pens that have a thin point and I like a kind of heavy pen :-) Kim....thanks also for the tags! They are adorable! Thanks for all that you do and all that you share. Merry Christmas!

[diginanliz]

Thank you so much, Kim, these tags are just fabulous. Also, a big thank you for this week's texture, I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas Season. :)

[lawyerlyn]

I make lists, edit my reports either with a mechanical pen or a fountain pen.

[Marie Z. Johansen]

I'm a fountain pen addict. They're all that I use. My favorite ink colors are: Waterman South Seas Blue, J.Herbin Olive & Noodlers Polar Black

I believe in snail mail !

I use a Moleskine Large for general, written and light visual journaling. A Quo Vadis Habana in Anise Green for my pencil drawing journal & sketching journal and a Stillman & Birn Extra Heavyweight Sketchbook for my heavier needs - mixed media and watercolor journaling.

Thanks for sharing the Mint site - looks great - oh! and the tags are fab too. Thanks, as always!

[Niki Bradley]

I only journal every so often when things are stressing me out. I do make lists all the time. No matter what, I really prefer to use a fine print Sharpie in an array of colors. They write so nicely. But I will not write in cursive with those for some reason. They do not flow as good for my cursive I guess. :)

[Natalie E.]

Thanks for the cute tags! I love to journal with my favorite pen that was turned on a lathe by my daughter.

[Susan M.]

Kim--thanks for pointing to Minted, such a cool site! I love to make lists, gets things out of my head to make room for more important things! Thanks for the give away ...

[Colleen G]

I am so happy you made it to Christmas spirit! Sadly, I haven't joined your parade yet. Just sidetracked I guess. But as I type, they are putting the final coat on the hardwoods! Grandma might have a place to sleep tomorrow after all! And Uniball Vision pens are the ones I must have when I write personal notes on true stationary and cards. And I am such a junkie of all things paper, I have taken paper making and bookmaking classes ... Only to decide my time might be better spent with my camera and purchasing those treasured tomes of luscious paper.

[Heidi Q]

Kim: The more I'm learning about you, the more I think we were twins that were separated at birth!
I like a good pen. My new fave is Tul's (with a line over the "u") medium point retractable pen. (I love retractable pens the way they click!). I also like a nice mechanical pencil that I keep in my car because pens don't work as well in the cold weather - a pencil is reliable, and one with a big roll up eraser!

[Susan K]

Thank you so much for the cute gift tags.
I love Minted, I have ordered from them in the past.
They have beautiful cards/ invitations also.
As for a fav pen.........I love theSigno micre 207 uni-ball

[anita]

I like to paste photos, clippings or other inspiration in my journals, I use pencil . To me it's mor visual.

[jeanie dickinson]

kim....love it here. my favorite pencil is any mechanical favorite pen is a scarlet lime pen......
have a marvelous day....merry Christmas

[Nicola]

Post-it notes just aren't practical on which to carry your thoughts so I love to carry a journal for those moments when a lightbulb goes on in my head and I know if I don't write it down I will forget it in 5 seconds flat. A journal is also a great way to record those everyday things that you know you will laugh about later or inspirations for an image or reminders to pick up some greens for supper. I'm a techno geek by day and a paper lover at night. My favourite pen is a Pentel retractable uni-ball gel. It has a super fine nib that somehow makes me WANT to write.
Thank you, Kim, for your talent and for sharing it with the world and I wish you the Happiest of Holidays.

[Barb Wessel]

Oh Kim! Such a lovely gift! I LOVE my fav pen to write with. These journals are the perfect place to jot all of the creative thoughts that flit through my brain, but are never recorded... therefore never followed through! lol Merry Christmas to you and yours. Can't wait to hear the tree story!
Barbara

[Margaret]

Adore journals (my son has a bookshelf full of his writings and poems) and sharpie pens are my favorite right now. As always, you are an inspiration and I hope next year when my youngest is in school I can finally settle in and seriously take a few of your workshops!!

[Doris]

I love to journal and don't get fussy about what I use to write them with..... just jot it down. Thanks so much for the cute homespun tags, I am a quilter so live things like this with stitching on them.

[Elise]

I love to sketch and paint in journals. I use a waterbrush and watercolor, or watercolor crayons, or a nice juicy pencil. I totally agree with your pen fetish -- I will search for the right pen, and if I don't have it, yikes! I once had to take a phone number down in *eyeliner*!! And I was freaked out for a week :)

[Donna Johnson]

Hi, Kim,

I love my little journals for recording ideas when I am on the go. My memory is not reliable but my little books are! And I am probably as crazed as you are about my writing instrument of choice. My current favorite is the Pentel EnerGel 0.5. It feels soooo good to write with. Thanks for the giveaways!

Donna

[Pablo Lara H]

I love to draw very detailed sketches with a drawing pen 0,1 point. I was watching the journals at the site and I can't just choose one. But I loved the vintages with blank pages.
Thank you!

[noreen]

Love your textures! Thank you!
I love the Pilot Frixion erasable gel pens. Great for crosswords!

[Donna Flynn]

Thank you so much for the tags. They are beautiful and my family will enjoy these.
Happy Holidays and Blessings.

[Jeni]

Thanks for the lovely tags.

I love to write lists and am always scratching around in stationery shops for the right pad/notebook and pen/pencil. Meeting notes are written using a BIC mechanical pencil, cards are usually written using a lovely silver or mauve gel pen and notes are normally written using either a BIC pencil again or a fine sharpie :)

I have journals and use them to record my family history in them, usually done with a pencil, the reliable BIC mechanical pencil again :)

[Linda]

I am dying to start a new 2013 journal for my creative thoughts & arty ideas and doodles! My favorite pens are the 207 uni-ball and very thin Sharpies, but I'm not too picky... xoxo Happy Holidays!!

[Karen Burns]

those are the sweetest tags I've ever seen ~

[Eileen Sottovia]

Hi Kim,
Thank you for all the wonderful things you do and the great things that show up in our emails each week, such as these sweet Christmas tags. I always look forward to your emails and open them last so I can savor the delightful picture and your words of wisdom and inspiration. I make lists all the time on mini legal pads. They must be white though. And my pen of choice is a fine point pen, Pilot BP-S in black ink. I can't find them anymore though. What to do, what to do? Thanks again for everything!

[Maribel]

I like to journal instead of making lists.

[Anita]

I'm a list junkie. I have started using the list feature on my iphone but I miss the pen to pad feel so I often go back to them. I make shopping lists, packing lists, lists for what xmas decorations I have. I find as i get older I need lists more. They keep me on track. Now, my new daughter in law is the good journal writer. She has been keeping a journal of the funny things her son has said ever since he was little. He's 7 now and she's gone through quite a few already, I would believe. I love that she is keeping track of moments that sometimes we would forget in time. I think he will cherish these when he is older.

ps. medium point, black ink pen. I don't have a favorite brand but I'd like to find one that doesn't smear if anyone has a suggestion!
pps. Congrats to Beverly and thanks for the tags!

[Barbara Hurst]

You always find the best sites, I was just thinking that the other day and here you are with another one. Thank you for the tags.

[prairyk]

Cute tags! I journal nearly every day. Currently I'm using Log Your Memory logbook that I hole-punch and put into a leather binder my husband made me. I've tried lots of systems, notepads, journals, and plain yellow legal pads. This seems to suit me quite well as I can add in pages, photos, clippings, calendars, whatever I choose. My favorite pen for several years now has been a Uniball Signo Premier 207 gel. It has a fat, squishy finger-hold and writes so smoothly it does not distract from my thinking. I've just ordered my 2013 LYM book and I'm anxious to start a whole new year. I frequently refer back to my notes to see when something happened, check a detail, etc. I'm also a list maker and make notes about all kinds of things—there's accommodation for anything here.

[Carol]

Ever since I was old enough to remember, I have had a fascination for blank tablets of paper, "empty" books, new pencils, smooth flowing pens, colored inks. There is something in them that just bursts with 'possibilities' - things yet to be written or drawn. The potential is almost palpable. Today, I am never without several pads of paper. List making is my new 'journaling!' Life gets so busy and my mind so disconnected at times that I have to rely on the written - but that's ok I love it. A small pad on the fridge, 2 - 3 at my desk, one in my purse, the glove-box of the car. Staring a new page is like having a 'new beginning.' Before I became a list junky I journaled - a lot. I have little books with all of the sweet sayings for each of my children. New journals started with every move (and there were a lot - and on 3 different continents). I sometime wonder if I didn't enter this world with a pen in hand. It was always a medium point Parker through High School and College - and a fountain pen while living in Europe. They had fabulous pens and wonderful colored inks. One of these days my family is going to discover all of these treasures - my gifts to them of recorded memories and moments......

[Jean]

Oh my gosh, I did not realise that anyone else would 'need' the right pen to write a note, letter or reminder.
At 'the' moment it is needed, it can be a pen, crayon or whatever, but, there is 'the one' that has to be located.
Not to mention the absolute correct paper, card or note pad.

[Patsy Tabbert]

Thank you for the awesome tags! I love the journals on the website!!

[Bonnie P]

I love fine tipped in eberything! The finer the better.

[Linda Kittmer]

I love to do art journals, and I'm crazy about so many wonderful pens. I love my Pitt pens and Microns for art journalling, but for everyday notes and lists I reach for my Staedtler triplus fineliners.

[cheryl c.]

Kim the tags are really wonderful...I love them...I still have to do my tag lesson but I know I'll get to that one...
Now Journals....I have a million of them...I use them for travel, ideas, quotes and notes...I should send you a photo of the one I did for friends for Christmas...they loved them...hmm maybe I'll get to that after Christmas also...LOL

For my matted photo cards that I sell I use a soft black pencil..graphite drawing..4H...works really well and it's not heavy.
My favorite pens right now are the Zebra....Sarasa..they come in luscious colors but for writing I use the black...when I took my writing course Natalie Goldberg said we had to use fast writing pens...she wasn't kidding..we kept the pen moving and the zebra worked well...I also like the Sharpie...This discussions reminds me of how much of a writing junkie I am...maybe that's why I like the blog...I know, I really have to get back to that also..

Oh Geez, my head is spinning with all the stuff I like and all that I need to do...I heard once that God doesn't take you until your done with jobs here on Earth...I'm going to be around well into my 100's...I better go to bed and get some rest..

Cheers...
Cheryl

[Renee]

love the STABIO WORKER for just about anything...particularly journaling.

[Angela Fehr]

I love Uniball's Signo pens for my gratitude journal. Unfortunately, my kids love them too, and can use up a new pen in just a few days with their prolific drawings! I have to hide them.

[Beverly]

Me?!!! A winner!!?? I'm so thrilled....I never win...THANK YOU Kim, and thank you lovely commenters for your congrats! What an awesome "Christmas present" from Kim!! :) O-kay....Pens and paper...not just any pens...my fave is made by The Sheaffer Pen company - must be fine point, and ballpoint...their name for it is a White Dot slimline...Love it. I love journals to write in - more space for thoughts and outlining....I misplace sheets of paper, or they stack up and I can't find the notes. LOVE the frosted porch photo and that cozy throw. Fabulous stitched tags - thank you Kim!! What a fab evening!! Good luck to everyone on the next give-away!!

[Cindy]

Kim- I have a passion for journals myself. Thanks for the link to this site!

[dee]

Well I too am a total stationary nut...it was my favourite part about going back to school...getting all my pencils (only the mechanical kind) and pens and highlighters and notebooks (love spiral ones with cool covers) well into my university years..yes I am a nerd : ) Now however I am trying desperately to switch over to the age of technology trying to use my iphone for my lists etc. I have never been one to journal...I guess never really thought I had the time to sit down and do it (lame excuse I know!) As always thanks for sharing Kim!!! PS love the wintery scenes...glad your doggy is enjoying our fabulous Canadian winter as much as mine : )