Art -- Merlins Tower

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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Free Crossword Help! » « Cool Idea – The 20GB Time Capsule

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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eBay.com and eBay Motors Fee Adjustments – Yes Higher Prices » « OPENS3.COM – Publish Your Podcast or Videocast for Free

The Ink Free Writing Instrument!

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

1 comment.

OPENS3.COM – Publish Your Podcast or Videocast for Free » « Happy New Year! From Merlin’s Tower!!!

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

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

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The Ink Free Writing Instrument! » « Fountain Pen Care and Feeding: Handwriting Improvement

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!

Happy Holidays

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

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Fountain Pen Care and Feeding: Handwriting Improvement » « How I Use, Sort, and Store My Index cards

Fountain Pen Wallpapers -FREE!

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

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How I Use, Sort, and Store My Index cards » « Merlins Tower – Slight Change of Colors

Colfer Imperial Inks – Concentrated – Variable Intensity Fountain Pen Inks

Posted on December 15th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Communication, Craft, Journaling.

There is a new fountain pen ink company just starting up. It is the Colfer Imperial Inks - But this company is very different from any of the other ink companies out there. As Colfer Sells his inks in Concentrated Form and you get to mix them yourself with distilled water. This is called the worlds only adjustable ink. Which means you get to select how much color you use. The inks can be made in a ratio of 4:1 to 6:1 (That is 4 parts water to one part ink concentrate – This gives you the stongest color) The 6:1 will be the lightest color. I like this Idea as I get to control the color and not the manufacture / producer of the ink.

Colfer Imperial Ink Color Chart – Links to Fountain Pen Network Page

Using these inks from what I read there are just a few rules to follow – First only use after mixing them with distilled water and second only mix the colors after mixing them with distilled water. Yes you can play chemist and mix the colors to make your own trademark color for your favorite fountain pen. I really like the colors that are available and I think it would be nice to have an economical ink that works as well as it is described. (I am going to have to save my pennies up and purchase a few of this inks) From the charts my favorites are Signat Red – Cotes de Nuits – New York Central Jade – Blue Spruce and Soveriegn Blue.

BTW – once I do get my hands on some of this ink I will be writing out a full review for all to read.

Addtional Notes – You can purchase these pre mixed or in several various options from small EZTrav vial or the EZUze or the complete kit 1oz of concentrate and a 2oz mixing bottle.

I have to admit I love trains and I just love Colfer's Logo: Wow one Great Train: The Pennslyvania T1 Steam Engine Streamlined.

Link to Order Inks from Colfer's Page