Merlins Tower

Free Printable Rulers

Posted on December 4th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Craft, GTD, Gadgets, Hack, Journaling, Miquelrius, Moleskine, Toy, Web Service, Weird Stuff.

How many times have you been out and don't have a Ruler to measure something you saw at the store or to see if it will fit an application you are working on at home.

Well I have found an easy solution for you. What you need to do is to keep with you is a paper ruler in your wallet/organizer. And Mitchell Charity's Site he has placed several different versions that you can print out on your printer (as long as you don't allow the printer software to resize it) that you can cut out and keep with you in your organizer.

I printed out the Metric and Inch Ruler. Hey you really never know when you need an exact measurement (well a pretty darn close measurement). I put these up against my nice metal ruler that I keep on my desk and these are really close.

This is a nice cheap  inexpensive way to add a measurement device to your organizer.

TAGS: Analog paper ruler organizer hack gtd

15 comments.

Wedding Help

Posted on November 15th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Craft.

A friend of mine is planning on getting married early next year and I wanted to share a few ideas for weddings that I shared to them about weddings over the past weekend helping them plan for the grand event. What was discussed this past weekend was working on the centerpieces and what to have on each table and what to plan for at the reception.

Having been to many weddings (As a participant, as a photographer, and as an assistant to the dj) I have quite a bit of experience as what to expect and what functional items to have on a table and things to help the reception work.

First and foremost- no matter how good your photographer is I would highly recommend getting those wedding cameras where your quests can help you take photos for you. I found it quite amazing the interesting and various views that the different guests will  capture. These photos will help you remember a day that is so often is a blur.

A few friends have done this at their wedding, and yes you will get a few really bad photos but the good photos did really out shine the bad ones. I would recommend putting a little note/directions with each wedding camera telling the people to take pictures that they would like to share and that these do cost to get developed and would make the wedding reception memories last longer and that if they would not let their children use and take the cameras as toys. 

Second, Hire a good DJ. This person can make or break the evening. Make sure you like the personality of the DJ and that this is someone that you can feel comfortable working with. The DJ is going to be the most important person at your reception. He/she will be working with the Photographer announcing the different events all through the night and also will work with the catering as when to have people go to the buffet table. They will also be running the various dances.

Most people will long remember the Music and Dancing and what the DJ does to help the evening BUT most wedding couples will put the least amount of money towards this. Remember most of the time you will get what you pay for.  

Well that is my two cents as a guy and someone that has been to many weddings. Get Plenty of Photos and Hire a Good DJ. 

TAGS: wedding camera dj music entertainment reception centerpieces

0 comments.

Custom Leather Moleskine Cover

Posted on October 24th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Communication, Craft, Hack, Journaling, Leather, Miquelrius, Moleskine.

Morningbreeze Blog has a beautiful leather cover that was custom made for their moleskines that they use. As you can see from the photo to the left that this cover compliments the moleskine. It seems to be the nice high gloss leather surface. There is also a place for a pen to call home at the top of the moleskine. Very nice indeed as you have it all in one location. This seems to be fairly similar to the leather cover that I made for my Miguelrius Notebook. I would assume this will protect the moleskine as much as the leather cover I made. This will keep everything nice and neat.

Great Job MorningBreeze!

 Link to Morning Breeze:  Blog Entry

Tags:

4 comments.

Cool Tool: The Memory Board - Post It Notes Replacement

Posted on October 11th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Communication, Craft, Gadgets, Hack, Weird Stuff.

Ok this really is a cool tool!

Are you tired of putting the little post-it notes all over you monitor to have them fall off and loose an important note to the bottom of your shoe. Or does your cat think you put the post it notes on the monitor as a play toy for their enjoyment? - Well, I saw this as I was searching around the net once again and stumbled upon "The Memory Board"

The Memory Board - The Monitor Organizer

This is something that I need to get my hands on - While I am working I will scratch down notes that I take on those small post-it's as little reminders and things to remember or to note an interesting page, or just various pieces of info. Usually these notes are not something I would write down in my notebook/journal as I don't need a permanent record of these types of data but they are definitely important at the time. I don't have space for a whiteboard at my desk. Hey, if you saw my desk you would understand. But putting a white board around the monitor where I normally put the post-it is a fantastic idea. This is a great organizational tool.

And the cost is not that bad $12.95 and $13.95 depending on the size - The order page lists all the sizes available 15 Inch, and  17 Inch Versions are available now and 19 and 21 inch monitors are stated as coming soon. 

Here is a photo taken from their site of the memory board in action:

Memory Board in Action

Links: The Memory Board Website 

Tags: PostIt, Post, It, Notes, Organization, Organizer, Monitor, Gadget, Tech, Whiteboard, Office, Pron 

3 comments.

Composition Notebook Leather Covers

Posted on September 26th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Craft, Journaling, Leather, Moleskine.

Since it is back to school time and many take notes in the standard Composition Notebooks.

Here is a nice leather cover from Ple Designs and they are at a very nice price only $45 compared to the Levenger Notabilia Notebook with Leather Cover which will cost you $74.

With this Composition Notebook Cover you can now add some style to your backpack or briefcase. The nice thing about these covers is that they are available in quite a few styles and leather color choices as well as one done in pig skin with a croc pattern.

These are made to fit the Mead, Avery (National Brand) and Generic Composition Notebooks. You can also get optional imprinting in 9 styles and 3 colors. This is one fully customizable notebook cover.

I used to use the composition notebooks quite a bit before switching to the Miquelrius Notebooks. I would love to get one of these as I would have no issue carrying around a grid lined composition notebook in this classy looking cover.

I really like the Wrap Version as it almost compleatly covers the notebook including the front edge so I can store some papers and items with out fear of it falling out.

Here is a photo of the various type of wraps:

Be sure to check out their page for more details.

Additional Resources: PLE Design Page

Tags: analog, Design, elegant, Journal, Leather, Leather Journal, Levenger, notebook, Office Supply Porn, Organizer, paper, Composition, Moleskine

0 comments.

Hand Made Leather Journals

Posted on September 3rd, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Craft, Journaling, Leather.

Today while perusing the web, checking out my emails, having a cup of coffee I stumbled upon OberonDesign.com and their Beautiful Hand Made Leather Journals. Unlike many leather journals these journals are refillable and take a nice 4.25 x 6.25 sketch book journal unlined. Actually Oberon Design has several sizes of their Leather Journal Small (4.25 x 6.25) - Large (5.5 x 8.5) & Extra Large (8.5 x 11). Each book with 212  Smythe Sewn Heavy Bond acid Free pages for the XL and 220 Pages for the Large and Small Journals. The Leather covers range in price from $54 - $69 or up to $124. This really is not that bad of a deal as I mentioned this cover is easily refilled. Plus I am sure as you use your journal this leather will wear and begin to take a life of its own. These leather journals are crafted from custom tanned cowhide and paired with decorative pewter buttons. They look like they would be wonderful to hold and work in.

Hint Hint Wink Wink Nudge Nudge : (If you want to send me a sample on so I can do in indepth review feel free to email me  “Alan  (at)  MerlinsTower (dot) Com”  That goes for any company that want a unbiased review of their products.

So, Take a look at them if you are interested in a nice Travel Journal, Sketch Book, Dream Diary, General Writing or Just a plain old Diary. These seem they would be a nice addition to any backpack or nightstand.

Merlin (Alan)     -=#:-)

Technorati Tags: Leather, Journal, Sketchbook, Diary, Notebook, Analog, Dreams, Writing

0 comments.

Dust Art

Posted on August 27th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Craft, Sketching, Weird Stuff.

Yes you  read that right - This beautifully painted artwork was done on the back of a car.

Scott Wade using a very different canvas Automobile Windows covered in dust and road grime.
He creates them using fingers, paint brushes, chewed popsicle sticks, and more.

I love trying to sketch and these sketches/drawing/paintings by Scott Wade are amazing. This type of art is unbelievable for the amount of time put into this, and  that once the rain comes or these people take their car to the wash these works of are gone forever.

Technorati Tags: skeching, art, design, dust, painting

0 comments.

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