J. Herbin makes watercolor-lovely ink. Some colors, like Bleu Myosotis, give the impression that the viewer is looking at a field of wildflowers through a set of gauzy curtains in the pale light of a spring morning. Bleu Pervenche, on the other hand, places the viewer on a rocky outcropping, gazing out at the blue-green waters of the Mediterranean, one hand against the brow to shield his eyes, squinting in the summer sun.

A brightly colored crane for a dreary day.

Three origami cranes, in celebration of Mardi Gras.

The crane is considered to be the most iconic of all origami models. It’s easy to learn and easy enough to fold - and the crane is considered to be a symbol of good luck and longevity. Consequently, a Japanese tradition states that someone who folds one thousand cranes will be granted either good luck or a wish. Traditionally, the cranes are threaded together once they’re folded, and then given as gifts or hung in one’s own home.

I’m happy to announce that a short story of mine, Wasps, has been published in the newly released anthology, Best of Friday Flash, Volume 2. Flash fiction is a story that is generally shorter than 1000 words. It’s a short, short story, designed to be read in a flash. The Friday Flash community produces lots of flash fiction on a weekly basis across the full spectrum of genres - most of it excellent, and all of it made available for free at the authors' websites.

I am not content to be content. Not today, Tomorrow, or after the leaves fall. In my way, I am restless: eager to grow, eager to learn, To find in each season a lesson, in turn. I will use all the words that flow from my pen To fight for the rights of less fortunate men: To speak for the speechless and give them a voice, To give hope to the hopeless – to offer a choice

Melanie fell in love with Xander the moment she saw him. He’d transferred in at the beginning of the semester, and nearly everything about him excited her: his shoulder-length, curly brown hair; his trim, toned body; the way he wore a coat or blazer everywhere he went. And the accent! German by way of Australia. If people swooned nowadays, she would have swooned. Unfortunately, she felt like he had no idea that she existed.

Welcome to the September edition of the Blog Carnival of Pen, Pencil, and Paper! We’ve got a great crop of articles and reviews for you this month. Editor’s Choice Brian, from Ink Nouveau, introduces the new smaller-sized Edison Beaumont fountain pen. They look nifty. Gentian, from Drawing with a Squirrel, shows off her amazing artwork by reviewing the Tachikawa Linemarker A.T. Sketch Pen. Paper Heather, from A Penchant for Paper, reviews a Pierre Belvedere journal that she found in a thrift store.

The August edition of the Carnival of Pen, Pencil, and Paper is now available over at Daisy Yellow. Be sure to go check out all of the great articles that the pen, pencil, and paper community has posted over the last month. Also, be sure to check out the Carnival home page over at Notebook Stories. Last, but not least, the September edition will be hosted right here at Seize the Dave!

Platinum Carbon is archival-quality ink that I’ve reviewed favorably in the past. I’ve reviewed other permanent inks as well, but Carbon stands out for its ability to completely withstand water once dry, making it very friendly to artists who want to paint with washes or watercolors over inked lines. Most other permanent inks permanently stain the page, but leave a residue that can be smeared or tint the color of the wash.