Merlins Tower

Free Sample of Various Handwriting Font Styles Print and Italic

Posted on January 16th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Art, Communication, Craft, Firefox, Freeware, Hack, Journaling, Notetaking, Office.

Did you ever wonder what we are talking about when you see the different styles of handwriting. Here is a link for homeschoolers and / or anyone interested in seeing the visual style of the various handwriting that is taught all over the world.

Draw Your World has sample sheets in the form of smaller images showing all the letters for all the forms of writing. From Getty-Dubay, D'Nealian Style, Palmer Handwriting Italic and Cursive,  Handwriting Without Tears, Zaner-Bloser Style. I am sure if anyone wants a small reference card these can be easily printed out. (I have not tried but looks like they should be large enough for reference) - These samples were printed out from the Starwrite Handwriting Software - Which if you want to try it out lets you try it unhindered for one time only. (So, make sure you get the most use from the first time you run it. Even Print it out to a PDF) From what I saw if you were homeschooling I would recommend trying this out and purchase if you like how it works, By the Way the program is only $39 at Starwrite Handwriting or $35 at Draw Your World.

But if you are just looking for a few FREE graphics to print out check out Studio Arts Guide to Italic Handwriting. (Click on the image on the left column to display it on the right - At that point if you are using Firefox (Highly Recommended) or IE you can right click on the image and hit the save as to save the images to your hard drive and print out later on) They have a nice chart, font families, guide, practice sheets and more for your use.

You can also check out dnealian.com for some addtional samples and primer on the D'Nealian Style of handwriting - Very Similar to the Getty-Dubay Style. 

Technorati Tags: Italic, handwriting, font, art, calligraphic, word, free, palmer, zaner, bloser, cursive, getty, dubay, dnealian, getty-dubay, homeschool, practice, adult,

1 comment.

Just Found - Tornado Elite Pencil

Posted on January 7th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Gadgets, Journaling, Leather, Miquelrius, Office, Photography, Sketching.

I totally forgot that I even owned this pencil The Retro 51 Tornado Elite Pencil - I was received this Mechanical Pencil over 2 Years Ago and I thought I has lost this forever when one day it just dissapeared.

But so I happened to be digging in one of my Photography bags and low and behold this was stuck at the bottom just waiting to be found again. I really like this Mechanical Pencil as it was so classy looking but has an aire about itself.

The one I received was the Stainless Steel Version with a beautiful matte finish to it. The clip is very strong and will hold this pencil in place where ever you put it. (Unless You don't clip it to anything like me and Don't check the bottom of the bag )

I bought this to go along with my Business Card / reporter style notebook (Another Gift as well). I was using this to take notes and sketches while shooting some photographs. It was the prefect size too only 3.5 Inches long and clipped to the Reporter Notebook Easily and it stayed in place.

What I really liked about it was the Lead Size. This Pencil Requires a 1.1mm Lead which is a much heavier line then the standard .5mm or .7 Mechanical Pencils. Plus I loved the fact that this was a twist knob top to advance the lead. This is just one very stylish looking mechanical pencil. I was upset when I could not find this pencil anymore (well more possibly upset over the cost of it and that I only had it several months)

The Current price of this Retro 51 Elite Pencil is $14.95 with a few extra leads. It was just the right price. Not too expensive but still not cheap.

I think I will be using this again for quick sketches I make and ideas. Plus this clips onto my Leather Jacket I made for my Miquelrius Journal nicely So I can have both Fountain Pen and Pencil within Easy Access.

The only drawback is that it doesn't come with an eraser built onto this pencil. So, if you need to erase something you need to carry an eraser pen with you. This doesn't bother me as I like to doodle and draw with it thus I don't need the eraser portion.

Can be Bought as "The Writers Edge" 

Technorati Tags: Mechanical, Pencil, Retro+51, Elite, Office, p0rn, gift, lead, pencil, drawing, sketching

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Lego Move Over - We Now have PixelBlocks

Posted on January 4th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Craft, Gadgets, Web Service, Weird Stuff.

I enjoy looking at catalogs, and I love the Gadget sites (ie. Levengers, Hammacher Schlemmer, Think Geek, CompGeek, Cyberguys etc…) While I was drinking my morning coffee and just finished my morning run thru of my email - I took a look at FireBox.com - And their PixelBlocks Caught my eye. This really is a cool toy - I can see it almost replacing Lego's well for at least in the art department. Vision, Dream, and Fantasy - Those are the names of the sets of PixelBlocks available (550, 870 and 2000 Pieces) With any of these sets you can really make some impressive looking deisgns. Such at this nice looking Dog done all in Pixel Blocks.

But you wonder how are you going to make your own design to play with all of these different Pixel Blocks - Don't Fear - PixelBlock.com is here to the rescue. On their Website you can upload your own photo and have it converted into your own pattern that you can follow This Free service is called Digital Stained Glass. Besides just making pictures with this interesting toy you can also build some interesting designs because these blocks allow you to connect them three different ways (Slide, Half Slide and Peg Connect) and comes in a wide array of colors. I think this would be a great mind expanding toy to play with or to at least play with your kid?

TAGS:PixelBlocks Pixel+Blocks Lego Bricks Pixel Art Stained Glass Stained+Glass 2d 3d

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The Ink Free Writing Instrument!

Posted on January 2nd, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Art, Communication, Craft, Gadgets, Journaling, Sketching.

The Metal Stylus Ink Free Pencil - It is made of Stainless Steel Alloy and is about 3.15 inches long. Grand Illusions from Cryers Hill in the UK has this Pencil for sale which will last almost forever (Or Until you loose it).

This type of pencil is one of the oldest forms of writing instruments used by many of the great thinkers and artists starting in the Medieval and Renaissance - They used a tool with a nib made of silver, lead, gold or bronze, to do what is called SilverPoint / MetalPoint. Metalpoint artwork is known through out the world. Below is one of the most famous metalpoint drawings.

Leonardo Da Vinci - Virtuvian Man

Unlike the metailpoint nibs of the past which needs a rough surface to help the metal oxidize on the paper this pencil only requires normal paper or copy paper to make its permanent mark as seen below. I can see using this to write in your journal as this makes it permanent with very limited ways to erase this mark. 

For addtional Info on Silverpoint you need to checkout SilverPoint Web - With some beautiful creations in their gallery. But MetalPoint Drawings are not just left for the master of old but there are many masters of this artwork today. You need to check out Illusions Magazine and artwork of the Late Dennis James Martin. (More on Dennis Martin - Artnet - ASKArt.)

TAGS: ART silverpoint metalpoint nib nibs leonardo da vinci Leonardo+Da+Vinci Silver+Point Metal+Point Inkless Pen Pencil Stainless Steel Stainless+Steel

1 comment.

Happy New Year! From Merlin’s Tower!!!

Posted on December 31st, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Announcement, Art, Communication, Email, GTD, Hack.

As the year comes to a close today - I would like to thank the hundreds of people that have decided to read Merlin's Tower each day. I am always look forward making new friends through this page and love hearing from my old acquaintances. As always I would love to hear your suggestions and ideas to make this a better site for all or what you would like me to write about. I know these things I write about are items that interest myself and seem to interest the readers and I would like to take this time to invite all to make a new years resolution to comment on the articles and let me know what you would like to see here at Merlin's Tower. You can do so my adding a comment or sending me an email. (Thanks to Gmail Signature Generator for the email Signature) - Now it is time to run off to a party and enjoy the year's end and new beginning. Don't Forget to sing that new years favorite. (more on Auld Lang Syne) Midi at Bottom Of MusicCat Page

 Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old long time?

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
And surely I’ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

We two have run about the hills,
and pulled the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since old long time.

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine (dinner time) ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since old long time.

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for old long time.

TAGS: New Year New+Years Resolutions GTD Hack Analog Comment Comments New+Years+Resolutions Auld Lang Syne Auld+Lang+Syne

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Merry Christmas From MT - FREE Modern Christmas Carol

Posted on December 24th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Art, Freeware, Hack, Pipe, Tobacco, Web Service.

Want to sit down to a nice cup of eggnog - Have a few puffs on your pipe with your favorite winter pipe tobacco - and then read the story A Christmas Carol to your family. BUT Wait - Podcast Pickle and Group have produced "A Podcast Christmas Carol" It is a modernization of the traditional Christmas Carol Story. I heard it last evening on my XM as I was listening to the David Lawrence Show. (BTW Great Show to Listen To) David Lawrence is the main actor in this story as Scrooge. There is quite a cast too boot. Too Many to mention here - But I listened to this and really enjoyed the story. But for a few moments of Christmas Joy Check out The Santa Dance - A Hamster Dance Type of page featuring the True Meaning of Christmas - (Hover Your Cursor over each Dancing Santa To Read it) - This page has been around for over 8 years now and still going pretty strong. Spread the word and share the true meaning of Christmas.

Wikipedia - A Christmas Carol 

Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays From Merlins Tower! 

TAGS: Christmas A+Christmas+Carol Carol Happy Holidays Happy+Holidays Podcast Scrooge Free Tradition Eggnog Pipe Santa Clause Dance Santa+Dance

1 comment.

Fountain Pen Wallpapers -FREE!

Posted on December 21st, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Freeware, Web Service.

I figure I would share a few of the wallpaper sites I found when I was trying to spruce up my desktop. I was tired of the plain boring parchment paper look and was just sprucing things up.

The First site has some wonderful screen candy at PenHero.com -  Most of Sheaffer Pens beautifuly displayed with gorgeous backgrounds.

Secod Site Richard Binders Site - From nicely setup writing desk from the 20's to Fountain Pens Nicely displayed with classic postcards and various other old looking backgrounds - Very Classy. He also has a second page of desktop wallpapers - Featuring the Parker 51 Series Fountain Pen - Others from the Parker Family - some from Esterbrook, a few from Eversharp, Wasp and more.

Third Site Mark Bacas Fountain Pen Wallpaper has some wonderfully designed fountain pen wallpapers from the Basic Black Monte Blanc to the Firey Orange Lamy Wall Paper and many others in between.  

Fourth Site is Advertising images from Cross Pens. I found many of them would make some nice wallpaper for your computer's desktop. 

But if you want to look at some parchment Take a gander at the few offered by Elated Pages.

Plus a nicely created Parchment paper Wallpaper can be found at Pieces of Eight.

I hope I helped you revamp your desktop with a little touch of class of a nice fountain pen or the olde style look of some nice rich parchment paper. Either way Enjoy the Moment.

Merlin

TAGS: Fountain Pens Fountain+Pens Fountain+Pen Pen Parchment Wallpaper Desktop Images Free

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