20 Saturday May 2023
Just like with the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Cult Pens teamed up with Diamine to produce an ink to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III. As before this was to be a shimmer ink and sold in the regal looking 50ml bottles.
Continue reading19 Friday May 2023
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Cherry Danish, ink, Ink Review, Monteverde, Monteverde Cherry Danish, Monteverde Inks, Monteverde Sweet Life, Red Ink
I must admit I prefer a plain croissant or a more traditional raisin Danish swirl. Something buttery without a blob of jam in the middle, but I won’t turn down the cherry variant either. Great with a decent cup of black coffee, or perfect for a mid morning snack.
Continue reading16 Wednesday Nov 2022
Posted in Inks
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Brown Ink, ink, Ink Review, Monteverde, Monteverde Inks, Monteverde Pumpkin Pie, Monteverde Sweet Life, Pumpkin Pie
It was both coincidental and appropriate that, as I write this ink review, we are not far from Thanks Giving Day. Sure as a Brit I had to look the date up, but even this side of the Atlantic we know of the association between pumpkin pie and that US public holiday. In some respects it is a shame that when I shuffled the swatch cards it was not one place further on as that would have resulted in the review being published (if at the planned time) during the same week.
Continue reading09 Wednesday Nov 2022
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Blue Black Ink, Blue Ink, Blue Velvet, ink, Ink Review, Monteverde, Monteverde Blue Velvet, Monteverde Inks, Monteverde Sweet Life
I am not sure when I last had a piece of Blue Velvet cake. It is available in the UK, though not that common and it also may have come across from the US. I suspect, for many Brits of my generation, mention Blue Velvet and you think of the classic David Lynch movie. I think this is why I kept forgetting the ‘Cake’ in the name when testing this ink.
Continue reading19 Wednesday Oct 2022
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Brown Ink, Chocolate Pudding, ink, Ink Review, Monteverde, Monteverde Chocolate Pudding, Monteverde Inks, Monteverde Sweet Life
For me ‘school puddings’ are memories of youth. Growing up, my father liked sponge and custard plus my school adhered to the tradition of suet puddings for lunch time deserts. Now if this range was by a certain British ink maker then perhaps we would have Jam Rolly Polly, Spotted Dick, and Sticky Toffee Pudding inks. Still, I’m never going to object to a decent chocolate pudding. Of course I am sure someone will point out to me that to those of you from across the great pond, from where this ink originates, chocolate pudding is a form of mousse. Still it is chocolate so all should be fine ….
Continue reading12 Wednesday Oct 2022
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Green Ink, ink, Ink Review, Key Lime Pie, Monteverde, Monteverde Inks, Monteverde Key Lime Pie, Monteverde Sweet Life
As a Brit I suspect only an American ink company could come up with using Key Lime Pie as an influence for a colour. I am not even sure I quite know what it tastes like, however with my sweet tooth I suspect I would like it.
Continue reading05 Wednesday Oct 2022
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Blueberry Muffin, ink, Ink Review, Monterverde Blueberry Muffin, Monteverde, Monteverde Inks, Monteverde Sweet Life, Purple Ink
Back in late 2019 Monteverde released the Sweet Life limited edition of 10 cake related inks. I suspect (and will probably repeat this virtually every review of the set, so I will apologies now) that blueberry muffins are a favourite snack of one of the Yafa Brands office staff. Certainly I have enjoyed the occasional muffin though I am more likely to choose chocolate.
Continue reading28 Wednesday Sep 2022
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Green Ink, ink, Ink Review, lamy, Lamy Charged Green, Lamy Ink
Each year Lamy release a limited edition Safari and accompanying ink. In 2016 this was the famous Dark Lilac. Over time there have also been limited edition Studios, Scalas, and Al_Stars and this year the latter received the Charged Green finish plus a matching ink. Available in cartridges and bottles (US only ?), this did not sell well with pens still being available years later. It was 2019 or 2020 when I bought mine, with a box of five cartridges in the blister pack, from the bargain bin at my local WH Smith (UK based newsagent and stationary chain store).
Continue reading21 Wednesday Sep 2022
Posted in Inks
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Azalea, Cult Pens, Cult Pens Exclusive, Cult Pens Flower Inks, Diamine, Diamine Ink, ink, Ink Review, Orange, Orange Ink
Apparently Azaleas are a sub-genus of rhododendron, being different by having smaller leaves. I had heard of both but knew little about their appearance. Coming in a large variety of colours I can see this flower being popular amongst those looking to create expressive floral collages.
Continue reading14 Wednesday Sep 2022
Posted in Inks
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Blue Ink, Cult Pens, Cult Pens Exclusive, Cult Pens Flower Inks, Diamine, Diamine Ink, Forget Me Not, ink, Ink Review, Pastel, Pastel Ink
I could joke that this is finally a flower I recognise, though not through my garden or me buying them, as the humble Forget Me Not can represent brotherly love, relief (charity), and truth, the three core principals of Freemasonry, my other major hobby. So will this ink be a shining beacon to me, or will I be charitable in looking through deficiencies.
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